Alex Highsmith Bio
Alex Highsmith (born August 7, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Charlotte 49ers before being selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over the course of his professional career, Highsmith has developed into a dependable edge defender, recognized for his speed off the edge, tackling consistency, and ability to create turnovers. His steady rise from a lightly recruited walk-on to a multi-year starter on one of the league’s most established defenses reflects a career built through hard work and incremental improvement.
Early Life and Background
Alex Highsmith grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he attended Eugene Ashley High School. At Ashley, he was a multi-sport athlete who played baseball, basketball, and football, developing the athleticism and coordination that would later define his professional career. As a senior, Highsmith played middle linebacker and fullback on the football team and earned second-team All-Area and first-team All-Mideastern Conference recognition. He was also named All-Area in baseball, highlighting the versatility that shaped his overall athletic foundation.
Despite his high school production, Highsmith was lightly recruited by major college football programs. Only Davidson and Furman expressed early interest before the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offered him a roster spot as a walk-on. That opportunity, paired with his determination to prove himself at a higher level, set the stage for the most productive stretch of his pre-professional career. His path from small-town multi-sport athlete to NFL defender is a reminder that elite careers can begin without top-tier recruiting attention.
Path to American Football
Highsmith joined the Charlotte 49ers as a walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season, learning the defensive system while adjusting to the speed of college football. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 12 games for Charlotte and finished the year with 17 tackles and a sack, signaling his readiness for a larger role. His redshirt sophomore season saw him become a key part of the defensive line rotation, producing 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery.
The breakout came during his redshirt junior year, when Highsmith was named a starter at defensive end and earned first-team All-Conference USA honors after setting a Charlotte record with 17.5 tackles for loss. He added 60 total tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles that season. As a senior, he repeated as a first-team All-Conference USA selection and was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, setting new school records with 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. These performances drew the attention of NFL scouts and pushed his name into draft conversations.
Alex Highsmith Career
Early Career (2020)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alex Highsmith in the third round, 102nd overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he worked into the linebacker rotation and produced several memorable early moments. In Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, Highsmith recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson during the Steelers’ 28-24 win. The following week, he notched his first career sack against the Dallas Cowboys.
Highsmith made his first NFL start in Week 13 against the Washington Football Team and finished his rookie campaign as a starter over the final four games. During that stretch he added 23 tackles and a sack against the Cleveland Browns in the season finale, establishing a foundation for an expanded role in his second season.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021-2022)
In 2021, Highsmith continued his growth as a full-time contributor, recording six sacks, 74 total tackles, 46 of them solo, and one forced fumble across 16 games and starts. His two-sack performance against the Browns in Week 17 was a highlight of the regular season and pointed to the impact he could deliver on a consistent basis. Defensive coaches leaned on him increasingly as both a pass rusher and a run defender.
The 2022 season marked Highsmith’s clearest breakthrough. In the regular season opener, he posted three sacks and a forced fumble in an overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He later earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a Week 10 performance against the New Orleans Saints that included five tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. He closed the year with 2.5 sacks against the Browns and finished the 2022 regular season with 63 tackles, a team-high 14.5 sacks, and a league-leading five forced fumbles, establishing himself among the top edge defenders in the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023-Present)
On July 19, 2023, the Steelers signed Highsmith to a four-year, $68 million contract extension that included $27.74 million in guaranteed money and a $16 million signing bonus, a clear sign of his value to the franchise. He wasted little time justifying the deal. In Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Cleveland Browns, he intercepted a Deshaun Watson pass and returned it 30 yards for his first NFL touchdown, while also forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate T. J. Watt for the game-winning touchdown in a 26-22 victory. That performance again earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. He finished 2023 with seven sacks, 57 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Highsmith continued to be a steady contributor in 2024, posting six sacks, 45 tackles, and two passes defended while serving as a core piece of the Steelers’ defense. In Week 9 of the 2025 season, he recorded four tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Through every phase of his NFL career, he has remained a consistent presence in Pittsburgh’s front seven.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Highsmith’s signature achievements, his five forced fumbles in 2022 stood out, as he tied for the league lead in that category. He also became a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week, earned All-Conference USA recognition twice at Charlotte, and produced the first touchdown of his NFL career against the Browns in 2023.
Alex Highsmith Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Alex Highsmith was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has spoken about the role his Christian faith plays in his daily life and professional approach. He is married to Alyssa Ungrady, and the couple has built their home around family and faith while supporting his NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has continued to showcase Alex Highsmith as one of the Steelers’ most productive defensive players. His Week 9 outing against the Indianapolis Colts, in which he tallied four tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble, highlighted his impact on both passing downs and run defense. His ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks while remaining reliable in containment has kept him in a featured role on a defense seeking to climb the AFC standings.
Looking ahead, Highsmith is signed in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season following his 2023 extension, giving the Steelers long-term stability at outside linebacker. With his combination of pass-rush production, turnover creation, and tackling consistency, he remains a central figure in Pittsburgh’s defensive game plan as the team pursues postseason contention.