One of the Pittsburgh Steelers's unofficial traditions is not to heap too much praise on rookies. However, that attitude seems to he changing now, evidenced by the universal acclaim rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith has been receiving in his first training camp.
Head coach Mike Tomlin uncharacteristically lauded the first-year linebacker, and he's been joined by a chorus of Pittsburgh personnel.
Defensive coordinator Keith Butler expressed confidence in Highsmith's ability to contribute right away. On Tuesday, tackle Chukwuma Okorafor picked “Alex” when asked what player was standing out to him so far in camp—and delivered his answer before the question was completed.
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt also acknowledged the third-round pick's impressive camp—especially considering the unique offseason caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think Alex has done a great job of just being ready in this and all these tough circumstances to be a rookie”, Watt said about the former Charlotte 49ers star. “I think he knows the defense really well. He’s making all the proper calls, he’s asking all the right questions and I feel like he can definitely fill in when needed. And I think Bud [Dupree] and I found out last year that we can’t play the full game. We can’t play every single snap if we want to play to our fullest potential. So I think he can definitely help rotate into games this year”.
Watt knows a thing or two about finding snaps as a rookie linebacker, considering he was an immediate starter.
There should be opportunities for Highsmith. Pittsburgh's no. 3 edge spot is open after Anthony Chickillo's release, and Olasunkanmi Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper are relatively unproven. Considering Alex Highsmith's performance in camp, don't be surprised if he ends up atop the depth chart sooner rather than later.
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