Dan'ta Hightower's Injury Means Opportunity for Others

Alabama starting middle linebacker Dan’ta Hightower and Rolando McLain formed possibly the best one two punch in the country, but sadly that all came to an end on the Bryant Denny Turf in a game against Arkansas. 

Hightower went down after a helmet to the knee that resulted in season ending surgery. The game against Arkansas was a thrilling victory on the field but felt like a crushing loss to the fans.  Some will speculate that the door may have closed on Alabama’s national title hopes as well. 

Anyone who suggests that Alabama can just absorb this loss without missing a beat is simply wrong.  Dan’ta Hightower was a special player; not only was he an outstanding middle linebacker but he slid out to the defensive end to add some considerable juice to the pass rush. 

The results of this injury will not be immediately known. Alabama has recruited some very talented kids at Linebacker and have two of the best coaching them in James Willis and Sal Sunseri. 

In the dark sadness of this loss an opportunity beacons for someone further down the depth chart. Yet, Alabama doesn’t have a single player who they can simply “plug in” to that spot.

Several players could benefit with more playing time and the most successful of that group might be in line for a starting spot next year if Rolando McLain goes pro after his junior year as many expect. 

Senior Corey Reamer slid over to cover Hightower’s spot Saturday. Reamer is a converted safety with an injury history of his own.  He specializes in pass coverage and his being in there Saturday may have had more to do with who they were facing than who is the best man to take Hightower’s place. 

It’s a safe bet the Alabama staff will be looking for someone who can be more physical to be the long term replacement at middle linebacker. Here are some of the more likely candidates:

Sophomore Courtney Upshaw 6’ 2” 249

Upshaw is a special teams demon and backup Jack linebacker.  He briefly replaced Hightower Saturday before Reamer shifted over. Uphsaw put on a massive amount of muscle and weight this offseason. Physically he might have the best combination of physicality and experience to fill Hightower’s shoes. 

Sophomore Chris Jordan 6’ 3” 230

Jordan arrived at Alabama as a running back.  He did practice at running back for a week or two but moved to linebacker when it was clear his future looked brighter on defense.  He quickly made a name for himself for one particular thing; he hit like a ton of bricks.  

Nick noted in a presser that he might hit the wrong guy, but he hit them hard and he liked that. This spring and offseason he bulked up considerably to his current weight and has been delivering some eye popping blows in backup duty and on special teams. 

True Freshman Nico Johnson 6’ 3” 225

Johnson might be the most gifted of the freshman linebackers signed in 2009. Johnson has already played some, so redshirting isn’t really a consideration. 

With any freshman the big question mark is: Can he grasp Saban’s defense? Dan’ta himself often made glaring mistakes last year; don’t think Saban will hesitate to put Johnson out there if he is close. 

Sophomore Jarrell Harris 6’ 3” 227

Harris may have zero chance of taking snaps.  Harris ran afoul of the NCAA this summer and has had his eligibility suspended.  The University either doesn’t know or isn’t saying how long this suspension will last.  It’s unfortunate because even if he didn’t take the inside spot he would take Reamers spot outside if he stayed in the middle.

It’s possible that several of these players will play a role to try and fill the massive void left by Dan’ta Hightower, and who is playing may depend heavily on what sort of offense they are facing.  But whichever player comes closest to Hightower’s versatility will most definitely be the odds on favorite to take a starting spot next year. 

Hopefully a very healthy Dante Hightower will be playing right next to them.