In 2006 LSU will rely heavily on junior outside linebacker Ali Highsmith to provide veteran leadership on a front seven that features only two returning starters from last season’s team. Highsmith’s 75 tackles in 2005 make him the leading returning tackler for LSU. He is also on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Trophy which is given to the best defensive college football player each year. If Highsmith looks like he enjoys all of this, it is because he has earned it. After limited playing time as a true freshman in 2004, Highsmith competed for the starting job in 2005. But he lost his spot in practice and watched as senior Jason Spadoni started the season opener against Arizona State instead. Highsmith said he refused to be discouraged, and after Spadoni was benched in the Tennessee game he gained the starting job and never looked back. “It was a big challenge at first as far as being demoted or whatever and having to work your way back to the top,” Highsmith said. “I mean some people, they’d probably give up. But me, I just had a lot of motivation to work my way to the top. I mean anything can always happen, just like when EJ [Kuale] got hurt. You never know. I mean even if there is somebody in front of you, you still gotta practice to play.” The linebackers voted Highsmith onto the team’s leadership council because of that same work ethic and maturity. The leadership council is a group of players elected by the team to handle issues within the team. Highsmith said the group helps to make decisions concerning disciplinary actions and provides mentoring and guidance to the younger players on the team. Junior running back Jacob Hester said Highsmith brings not only leadership but an athletic presence that will be just as beneficial to the defense. “He’s not real big, but he’s fast and especially when he blitzes he does a real good job of disguising what he’s doing,” Hester said. “You think that because this guy’s not so big that you’ll really be able to put a thump on him, but he’s really good at putting his hands on you and shedding a block he’s tough to get a handle on.” Being a leader has meant that Highsmith has had to work even harder this offseason to bring his game to another level. He provided the big play in many games last season, recording two sacks against the University of Florida and returning a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt University. Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini said Highsmith was a big play guy but was also inconsistent last season. “He’s more comfortable; his technique’s better,” Pelini said. “I feel like he’s five times better a linebacker than he was at the end of last year. His knowledge is better. He spent a lot of time in the offseason watching film, and he’s hungry.”
—–Contact Will Dunn at [email protected]