Freshman Friday
It’s Friday. We ain’t got no football this weekend. We ain’t got s**t to do. But I do have yet another impact freshman to introduce. With a brief stint as a childhood actor, this Army All-American is no stranger to the spotlight. But he wants to make it clear that nothing about him is an act. If you don’t already know the name, it’s time to wake up. From California, by way of the factory known as IMG Academy, Freshman Friday welcomes Brian Hightower.
Scouting Report
Look up wide receiver and you’ll see something that looks like Brian Hightower. He’s a prototype wide receiver standing at 6’3” and 210 lbs. He vaulted onto the scene with 71 catches, 1344 yards and 14 TD catches in his sophomore year at Calabasas High School in California. For his final two years of high school, he decided to go across country to IMG Academy and play with some of the country’s top talent. While his numbers may have fell victim to a star-studded lineup, his time at IMG paid huge dividends in his overall progression as a player. IMG is second to none in high school when it comes to facilities, competition and player development. Combine that level of training with the ever-so-cool and unfazed demeanor of Hightower, and Miami has found themselves a receiver who is well beyond his years.
Hightower knows how to use every bit of his 6’3” frame to subtly shield off defenders and snare contested balls. He’s one of the best fade ball guys in this entire 2018 recruiting class. He never seems to break a sweat with the ball in the air. He’s the kind of receiver that is a QB’s best friend because you know you can put it just about anywhere and know that Brian is going to put himself in position to come down with the ball.
All his movements seem so effortless, and his strides are so long that his speed seems to surprise opposing DB’s. He’s so dang smooth that it may look like he’s not really trying. I say he’s just comfortable out there. He’s no burner, but he’s plenty fast enough to effectively stretch the defense. While it’s great that he is an exceptional 50/50 ball guy, I’d like to see him become a little more explosive and decisive in and out of his breaks to consistently create separation in his routes. He does have the size and skillset to dominate pressing corners. He uses active hands and feet to defeat press, which is something a lot of young receivers struggle with. He is an excellent blocker on the outside and more than willing to get a little dirty. He’s not overwhelmingly great in too many areas, but he’s good in just about every facet of playing wideout. It’s just natural for him, and it’s easy to tell that he’s very coachable. His skillset, work ethic and football IQ set Hightower up to be a complete wide receiver.
2018 Predictions
Hightower showed his maturity from the second he set foot on campus in the spring as an early enrollee. As cool a customer as he is, he is a fiery competitor and is ready to compete for serious playing time. He was the unquestioned star of the spring game with several catches down the field, including a pair of touchdowns. It’s safe to say he belongs. I mentioned his blocking prowess, which I personally saw a bit of during the spring game. That is something that we all know Coach Dugans loves and could help solidify substantial playing time this year for Hightower.
Brian Hightower is about as physically and mentally ready as a true freshman wide receiver can get. I’d say he’s probably already in place to be well within the wide receiver rotation from the start of fall camp. While Jeff Thomas, Mike Harley, Mark Pope and company may be seen on the outside at times this year, the main outside receivers right now (at either X Or Y) look to be Richards, Cager, Langham and the wild card, Evidence Njoku. I like Hightower’s chances to make a name for himself within this group. I see Hightower finding his way to the end zone a couple times in 2018. I, among many others, have spoken extremely high of this group of freshman wide outs, and to me, Brian Hightower has the most complete package to eventually fill the Ahmmon Richards role as a WR1 in the future. I see him being a go-to option on the outside for years to come. A star from a young age, Hightower isn’t satisfied with being behind the scenes. Number 7 is ready to land a leading role in the Miami Hurricanes offense. Hollywood is coming to Coral Gables in 2018.
It’s Friday. We ain’t got no football this weekend. We ain’t got s**t to do. But I do have yet another impact freshman to introduce. With a brief stint as a childhood actor, this Army All-American is no stranger to the spotlight. But he wants to make it clear that nothing about him is an act. If you don’t already know the name, it’s time to wake up. From California, by way of the factory known as IMG Academy, Freshman Friday welcomes Brian Hightower.
Scouting Report
Look up wide receiver and you’ll see something that looks like Brian Hightower. He’s a prototype wide receiver standing at 6’3” and 210 lbs. He vaulted onto the scene with 71 catches, 1344 yards and 14 TD catches in his sophomore year at Calabasas High School in California. For his final two years of high school, he decided to go across country to IMG Academy and play with some of the country’s top talent. While his numbers may have fell victim to a star-studded lineup, his time at IMG paid huge dividends in his overall progression as a player. IMG is second to none in high school when it comes to facilities, competition and player development. Combine that level of training with the ever-so-cool and unfazed demeanor of Hightower, and Miami has found themselves a receiver who is well beyond his years.
Hightower knows how to use every bit of his 6’3” frame to subtly shield off defenders and snare contested balls. He’s one of the best fade ball guys in this entire 2018 recruiting class. He never seems to break a sweat with the ball in the air. He’s the kind of receiver that is a QB’s best friend because you know you can put it just about anywhere and know that Brian is going to put himself in position to come down with the ball.
All his movements seem so effortless, and his strides are so long that his speed seems to surprise opposing DB’s. He’s so dang smooth that it may look like he’s not really trying. I say he’s just comfortable out there. He’s no burner, but he’s plenty fast enough to effectively stretch the defense. While it’s great that he is an exceptional 50/50 ball guy, I’d like to see him become a little more explosive and decisive in and out of his breaks to consistently create separation in his routes. He does have the size and skillset to dominate pressing corners. He uses active hands and feet to defeat press, which is something a lot of young receivers struggle with. He is an excellent blocker on the outside and more than willing to get a little dirty. He’s not overwhelmingly great in too many areas, but he’s good in just about every facet of playing wideout. It’s just natural for him, and it’s easy to tell that he’s very coachable. His skillset, work ethic and football IQ set Hightower up to be a complete wide receiver.
2018 Predictions
Hightower showed his maturity from the second he set foot on campus in the spring as an early enrollee. As cool a customer as he is, he is a fiery competitor and is ready to compete for serious playing time. He was the unquestioned star of the spring game with several catches down the field, including a pair of touchdowns. It’s safe to say he belongs. I mentioned his blocking prowess, which I personally saw a bit of during the spring game. That is something that we all know Coach Dugans loves and could help solidify substantial playing time this year for Hightower.
Brian Hightower is about as physically and mentally ready as a true freshman wide receiver can get. I’d say he’s probably already in place to be well within the wide receiver rotation from the start of fall camp. While Jeff Thomas, Mike Harley, Mark Pope and company may be seen on the outside at times this year, the main outside receivers right now (at either X Or Y) look to be Richards, Cager, Langham and the wild card, Evidence Njoku. I like Hightower’s chances to make a name for himself within this group. I see Hightower finding his way to the end zone a couple times in 2018. I, among many others, have spoken extremely high of this group of freshman wide outs, and to me, Brian Hightower has the most complete package to eventually fill the Ahmmon Richards role as a WR1 in the future. I see him being a go-to option on the outside for years to come. A star from a young age, Hightower isn’t satisfied with being behind the scenes. Number 7 is ready to land a leading role in the Miami Hurricanes offense. Hollywood is coming to Coral Gables in 2018.
