Charlotte All-America defensive end Alex Highsmith was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He becomes the third 49er in school history to be selected in the NFL Draft, with all three taken in the third round over the last four years.
Highsmith, who became the 49ers all-time sack leader this past year and was named third team all-America by the Associated Press after leading Charlotte to its first-ever bowl bid, was the 102nd overall pick. The former walk-on is a two-time First Team All-Conference USA selection and owns school records for sacks in a game (4.5), season (14.0) and career (20.0) and tackles for loss (TFL) in a game (5.0) and season (21.5). He ranked fourth in the nation in sacks (14.0) and fifth in TFL (21.5), this past year, while leading the 49ers to a school-record seven wins and a trip to the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.
HIGHSMITH’S HISTORY
A 2020 NFL Combine participant, Highsmith was named to the 2020 NFL all-Combine Team as an edge rusher. He also played in the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl. He is the first 49er to be named all-America after earning Third Team all-America honors from AP and Pro Football Focus (PFF). He is also the first 49er to be named first team all-C-USA twice. A 2019 team captain, Highsmith was on the Watch List for the 2019 Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year) and a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy (former walk-on).
49ERS DRAFT HISTORY
Charlotte, whose football program is just seven years old and has had four recruiting classes complete their five-year eligibility, has now had three players taken in the NFL Draft. Highsmith’s third round selection gives Charlotte three third round picks in the last four years:
2017 DL Larry Ogunjobi Cleveland Browns 3rd Rd; 65th pick
2019 OL Nate Davis Tennessee Titans 3rd rd.; 82nd pick
2020 DE Alex Highsmith Pittsburgh Steelers 3rd rd.; 102nd pick
