Dont ' a Hightower Qualin Dont ' a Hightower ( born March 12 , 1990 ) is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Alabama , was recognized as an All - American , and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams . Hightower was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft , and is considered one of the best inside linebackers of his class . Early years . Hightower was born in Lewisburg , Tennessee . He attended Marshall County High School in Lewisburg , where he played for the Marshall County Tigers high school football team . he first drew recognition his sophomore year when the team ' s starting running back quit the team . In the last four games of the season , he rushed for over 1 , 000 yards and seven touchdowns . After growing to prior to his junior year , Hightower was moved to linebacker and tight end . He collected 98 tackles , two sacks , and seven forced fumbles , while at TE , he caught 18 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns . Having grown to six feet , three inches tall as a senior , Hightower again switched positions , playing defensive end . After recording 168 tackles ( 14 for loss ) , five forced fumbles , five interceptions and four fumble recoveries , he was named 3A Mr . Football Lineman of the Year and " The Tennessean " ′ s Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2007 . He also added 875 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense . Hightower was selected to play in the U . S . Army East West All - Star Game in San Antonio , Texas . He also earned four - star ratings from " Rivals . com " and " Scout . com " . Hightower chose Alabama over Auburn , Georgia Tech , Tennessee , and Vanderbilt College career . Hightower attended the University of Alabama , where he played for coach Nick Saban ' s Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 2008 to 2011 . As one of only two true freshmen to be regular starter for the Crimson Tide in 2008 , Hightower started 12 games while playing in all 14 at weakside inside linebacker ( " Will " ) in the Alabama ' s 3 - 4 defense , next to Rolando McClain who occupied the other inside linebacker spot ( " Mike " ) . Hightower recorded 64 tackles ( 4th on the team ) and 2 . 5 tackles for loss , while also having one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries . He had at least one tackle in each game and had five or more stops in seven of 14 games , including 10 against Tulane and a career - high 11 at LSU . He was subsequently named to numerous Freshman All - American teams . For the 2009 season , during the Arkansas game , Hightower suffered a knee injury in the first quarter when he was cut block ed by an Arkansas lineman . He was diagnosed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and missed the rest of the season with surgery . True freshman Nico Johnson replaced him at weakside linebacker . Hightower recorded 16 tackles including 4 tackles for loss . Having played only four games , he was granted a medical redshirt making him a redshirt sophomore in 2010 . Returning for the 2010 season , Hightower was expected to " be the nucleus of a young defense " . He replaced McClain as Alabama ’ s middle linebacker , and captained a defense that ranked No . 1 nationally in all five major categories — scoring defense ( 8 . 8 ppg ) , total defense ( 191 . 3 ypg ) , rushing defense ( 74 . 9 ypg ) , pass efficiency defense ( 83 . 9 ypg ) and pass defense ( 116 . 3 ypg ) . Hightower led the team with a career - best 81 tackles , including 37 solo stops , as well as three sacks ( - 16 yards ) and 9 . 5 tackles for loss ( - 35 yards ) . He also registered eight quarterback hurries , one interception , one blocked field goal and three pass breakups . Hightower was a consensus first - team All - American by the Associated Press , AFCA and Walter Camp as well as Rivals . com and Pro Football Weekly . He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award , Chuck Bednarik Award , the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy . Professional career . 2012 NFL Draft . As early as April 2011 , Hightower was projected a potential first - round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft . Shortly after the 2012 BCS National Championship Game , he announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility . Right after the season ended , he was projected a late first round selection . After solid performances at the NFL Combine and Alabama Pro Day , he was still regarded as a late first rounder . On April 26 , 2012 , Hightower was selected by the New England Patriots with the 25th overall pick in the draft . New England Patriots . On July 19 , 2012 , Hightower agreed to a contract with the Patriots . It was reported that the deal was four years , worth $ 7 . 7 million . In his first game for the Patriots , he recovered a fumble ( forced by fellow debuting rookie Chandler Jones ) and returned it for a touchdown . 2013 proved to be a successful season for Dont ' a , he led the team with 97 combined tackles .