OLB · New England Patriots
Dont'a Hightower
Age 36 · 191 cm (6'3") · 118 kg · Born Mar 12, 1990 · Alabama
NFL career
2012
debut year
2021
last season
10
seasons
#54
jersey
College: Alabama
Career stats
Regular-season totals from 2012 to 2021 · 116 games.
Defense
308solo tackles
27.0sacks
1INTs
0def TDs
Stats by season
9 regular-season campaigns tracked.
Defense
| Year | Team | G | Tackles | Sacks | Int | Def TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | New England Patriots | 14 | 42 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | New England Patriots | 15 | 53 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | New England Patriots | 12 | 48 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | New England Patriots | 12 | 33 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | New England Patriots | 13 | 30 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | New England Patriots | 5 | 12 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | New England Patriots | 15 | 23 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | New England Patriots | 15 | 36 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | New England Patriots | 15 | 31 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
Games during career · New England Patriots
Most recent results for the franchise while Dont'a Hightower was on the roster (1999+ play-by-play coverage).
L
L
W
L
L
W
W
W
17–47 @ Bills
2021-19 · Jan 15, 2022 · PLAYOFF
L
24–33 @ Dolphins
2021-18 · Jan 9, 2022 · REGULAR
W
50–10 vs Jaguars
2021-17 · Jan 2, 2022 · REGULAR
L
21–33 vs Bills
2021-16 · Dec 26, 2021 · REGULAR
L
17–27 @ Colts
2021-15 · Dec 18, 2021 · REGULAR
W
14–10 @ Bills
2021-13 · Dec 6, 2021 · REGULAR
W
36–13 vs Titans
2021-12 · Nov 28, 2021 · REGULAR
W
25–0 @ Falcons
2021-11 · Nov 18, 2021 · REGULAR
Other "Hightower" players in NFL history
Different players, same surname — ordered by most recent.
Career badges
Retired
10-year career
First-round pick
External profiles
Alabama alumni in the NFL
Other NFL players who attended Alabama.
Carson Vinson
OT · 2025 · Ravens
CJ Dippre
TE · 2025 · Patriots
Jalen Milroe
QB · 2025 · Seahawks
Jihaad Campbell
LB · 2025 · Eagles
Malachi Moore
SAF · 2025 · Jets
Que Robinson
LB · 2025 · Broncos
Robbie Ouzts
RB · 2025 · Seahawks
Tim Smith
DT · 2025 · Colts
Tyler Booker
G · 2025 · Cowboys
Chris Braswell
LB · 2024 · Buccaneers
2012 NFL Draft · Round 1 class
Other players selected in the same round.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#9
#10
#11
Andrew Luck
QB · IND
#2
Robert Griffin III
QB · WAS
#3
Trent Richardson
RB · CLE
#4
Matt Kalil
OT · MIN
#5
Justin Blackmon
WR · JAX
#6
Morris Claiborne
CB · DAL
#7
Mark Barron
ILB · TAM
#8
Ryan Tannehill
QB · MIA
#9
Luke Kuechly
ILB · CAR
#10
Stephon Gilmore
CB · BUF
#11
Dontari Poe
DT · KAN
#12
Fletcher Cox
DT · PHI
OLB peers of the era
Other OLBs who debuted within five seasons of Dont'a Hightower.
Cam Johnson
Debut 2012 · #57 · Browns
Demario Davis
Debut 2012 · #56 · Jets
Emmanuel Lamur
Debut 2012 · #57 · Jets
Jonathan Massaquoi
Debut 2012 · #94 · Falcons
Keenan Robinson
Debut 2012 · #57 · Giants
Lavonte David
Debut 2012 · #54 · Buccaneers
Nick Perry
Debut 2012 · #53 · Packers
Nigel Bradham
Debut 2012 · #53 · Broncos
Born on March 12
Jake Kupp
1941 · New Orleans Saints
Jim Tolbert
1944 · Los Angeles Chargers
Ken Johnson
1947 · Cincinnati Bengals
Mark Moseley
1948 · Cleveland Browns
Tommy Reamon
1952 · Kansas City Chiefs
Frank LeMaster
1952 · Philadelphia Eagles
Donnie Thomas
1953 · New England Patriots
John Hennessy
1955 · New York Jets