Miami Hurricanes great Alonzo Highsmith to leave NFL for UM

Another previous Miami Hurricane is coming dwelling.

The Miami Hurricanes are naming famous UM fullback, 1987 very first-spherical NFL Draft choose and longtime NFL scouting govt Alonzo Highsmith the recently produced General Manager of Football Functions, a resource advised the Miami Herald.

A properly revered talent evaluator, Highsmith, 57, will operate alongside Miami native and coach Mario Cristobal and new athletic director Dan Radakovich in a scouting-intensive ability, overseeing all recruiting functions and building a section intent on buying top talent. He will be in Miami prepared to start out his new career on Monday.

Highsmith has most not too long ago served as senior government advisor to Seattle Seahawks common supervisor John Schneider. He assisted lead the Hurricanes to their initial countrywide title in 1983 underneath Howard Schnellenberger. 4 many years later on, the University of Miami has religion he can do the similar — but this time in a distinctive ability.

Highsmith signed a multiyear contract, the resource told the Herald.

The hope is that Highsmith, who served as vice president of staff in 2018 and ‘19 for the Cleveland Browns, as nicely as 19 seasons with the Green Bay Packers personnel office, will aid Cristobal and his very regarded football staff continue to revive the luster of the 5-time countrywide winner soccer program that has sunken to mediocrity considering that its last title in 2001.

Highsmith was previously a candidate for the Advertisement position that went to Radakovich. He was virtually hired in a higher-amount UM soccer administrator/typical supervisor variety function just after former soccer coach Manny Diaz’s very first time in 2019. But in the stop, as Highsmith previously indicated, it was the Miami Board of Trustees customers who preferred him more than the former employees, as Diaz possible didn’t want a person on the lookout above his shoulder on day-to-working day problems.

Highsmith, who satisfied his wife Denise at UM and has three sons and two daughters, appreciates the South Florida neighborhood intimately and has been immersed in Miami soccer given that his taking part in days from 1983 to 1986. He was drafted as the 3rd overall decide by the Houston Oilers in 1987, and had a 6-12 months NFL occupation with the Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Respected by fellow previous players and existing NFL personnel for his analysis of talent and overall soccer knowledge, Highsmith has been associated with the UM system as an alum and is certainly regarded as a UM soccer insider.

At UM, the place Highsmith is in the Athletics Corridor of Fame, he concluded his profession with 1,914 yards. He also experienced 2,935 all-reason yards, at the time the fifth most for a Hurricane, and scored 25 touchdowns. His four touchdowns from Notre Dame in 1984 is even now tied with 4 many others for 3rd finest for a one activity.

Highsmith is a graduate of Miami Columbus High, in which he was an All-American defensive conclusion before being transformed to a fullback for the Canes — and exactly where Cristobal also performed and went to superior school. The Columbus connection contains new Miami offensive line mentor Alex Mirabal and significant UM donors that involve brothers Jose and Jorge Mas, owners of Mas Tec, a $6.6 billion infrastructure contractor.

Highsmith’s son, A.J., performed at UM as a safety and quarterback from 2009 via 2013, and is now a higher education scout with the Buffalo Payments.

This story was originally released May 25, 2022 12:00 AM.