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Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower is a rare prospect, a 265-pound inside linebacker who runs in the 4.6 area. He can play inside or outside, and could make a nice fit for the Jets at 16 . . .
Q)Who is your agent?
Hightower: Pat Dye Jr.
Q)Is 265 pounds where you want to be?
Hightower: Hopefully I’ll [get] down to 260, 255.
Q)Why do you want to be lower than 265?
Hightower: I just feel like in order for me to maximize my performance in the NFL, playing inside linebacker, I feel like maybe I need to drop a couple of more pounds.
Q)You played both inside and outside at Alabama. What are NFL teams saying about where they want to play you?
Hightower: A couple of people did come to me and ask me how I felt about playing outside linebacker and defensive end in the 4-3. Whatever I’ve got to do to get on the field and contribute to a team that wins the Super Bowl that’s what I’m looking forward to.
Q)Do you feel like you are totally back from your knee injury?
Hightower: I do. I feel a lot more fluid as far as my movements go. I feel as fast as I’ve ever felt even before the knee injury (in 2009).
I feel like the nutrition I’ve gotten at API (training center) has really helped me out as far as my lean mass and my body weight so I’m definitely moving in the right direction to get myself in the best performance [shape].
Q)Do you feel more comfortable playing inside or outside?
Hightower: I do feel a little bit more comfortable playing inside and I feel like if you ask any linebacker that played inside they’d probably
say the same.
I feel like I’m a versatile athlete. I can play both inside and outside and the defensive end in the 4-3.
Q)Did talent level at Alabama make for good competition and did it make you better?
Hightower: That is another reason why [I] went to Alabama and the SEC, to compete against some of the best athletes in the country. It definitely wasn’t a problem for [Alabama players] getting ready for the draft and the Combine. That’s something that’s [instilled] in all of us.
Q)How would you compare Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram?
Hightower: They’re definitely two different types of running backs.
I feel like Mark, he was more of an Emmitt Smith-type guy, a guy with great vision, great cutting ability, a guy whose going to make you miss. Trent he does both of those things and I definitely feel like he’s more of a contact runner and that’s what makes him such a great player, being able to have yards after contact.
Q)How prepared are you to make the transition from college to the NFL?
Hightower: I feel like I’m going to transition pretty well. I feel like I’ve got my speed back. I definitely feel with my physical play
I’ll be able to come in and excel just as well as anyone else.
Q)You had a chance to meet with Brian Urlacher recently. How did that go?
Hightower: I gained a lot of knowledge, not just about football but about being a man, coming in and being a professional and making the transition from student-athlete to professional.