SEC Football Top 150 Players: No. 117, Alonzo Highsmith, Arkansas LB

The SEC Blog will be counting down the top 150 players in the SEC every day, concluding on August 30 at the start of the college football regular season.

No. 117: Alonzo Highsmith, No. 45, Linebacker, Arkansas

2011 Stats: 80 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery

Strengths

Highsmith transferred to Arkansas from junior college before the 2011 season and made an immediate impact for the Hogs, leading the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and finishing third in tackles with 80. He has a nose for the football and has already proven to be a legitimate force in the SEC.

Weaknesses

Highsmith suffered a torn tendon in his left pectoral muscle in the weight room prior to spring practice, which forced the rising senior to miss all of spring practice. He is expected to be healthy for the start of fall camp, but rehab will cut into his preparation for the season. Aside from the injury concern, Highsmith has all of the tools needed to be a star.

2012 Prediction

He will have to knock the rust off when he gets healthy enough to practice this summer, but once he does that, he will be one the star of that Arkansas linebacking corps. New defensive coordinator Paul Haynes should get that defense turned around, and Highsmith will be a big part of it.

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