Kill the man with the ball

Junior to watch: Arlington Highsmith

School: Miami (Fla.) Central

Position: Outside linebacker

Size and Speed: Highsmith is 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds and he has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds. He has a 30-inch vertical jump and a grade point average of 3.3.

Honors: Highsmith was selected to the all-county and third team all-state teams as a junior.

Statistics: Highsmith racked up 90 tackles; six caused fumbles, seven sacks, and four interceptions as a junior.

Favorties: Highsmith is open among Florida, Auburn, Miami, and North Carolina

Skinny: Looking for a linebacker that likes to inflict pain on his opponents? If so, then Miami (Fla.) Central’s Arlington Highsmith is your man. The outside linebacker’s hard-hitting ability has not only been noticed by running backs but from college scouts also. He’s been getting hand-written letters from all of his favorites.

“Florida, Auburn, Miami and North Carolina are my top four,” Highsmith said. “I grew up a Gator fan but I’m open now. I’m looking for college that has a good business school or Mechanical Engineering program. In terms of football, I’m looking for a place with a good football program. I want to go someplace that has talent that’s not quite there yet. I want to help win a national championship by being the missing link.”

Highsmith, who is a cousin of former Miami Hurricane star running back Alonzo, Highsmith, has the perfect mentality for a defensive player.

“I have a lot of aggression,” Highsmith said. “I have a lot more aggression that most players. When I was little, we played kill the man with the ball. The others gave up, but not me. I kept on chasing.”

Highsmith has plans this summer on attending the Auburn football camp and possible the one for Texas A&M.