Question: Donta' Hightower - going or staying?

[Rueben]

Do he stay or do he go?

 

[bama579]

Hi, doc. Try putting more than a name in the thread title. It will help others know what it's about.

Please.

 

[CHATTBRIT]

I think it should be a no brainer that he stays. He had a severe knee injury in 2009. Most pundits believe it takes two years to get over such an injury and he was not such a dominant player this year as he was before the knee injury. Of course, you also have to take into consideration the change in personnel from 2009 to 2010 which had a huge bearing on his playmaking ability.

I think with C. J. Mosely taking control of the D, this will allow Donta to have a more freewheeling role like he had in 2009. Add in the JUCO D players who should be able to be double teamed much of the time and I can see Donta's stock rising sharply up the NFL Draft Boards.

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

It's clear to me that he should come back. Injuries as severe as the one Dont'a sustained usually take 18 months to fully recover from. He could do himself a lot of good in the perception area and make himself a lot of money if he comes back for another year.

I have no idea what he's planning, but I wish him the best either way.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Although I think he should stay and will be worth a lot more money in the NFL if he does say, I keep hearing that he's going regardless. Fear of reinjury...

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower on the rise again | al.com

Here's an article from Izzy Gould.

"He's really made a lot of progress throughout the course of the year," Saban said. "His confidence, his mobility, all those things probably improved as the season went on. ... I think that he'll be even better next year because I think he's gotten more and more confident and in better condition. I think he understands his role on the team much, much better now. I think his future is very bright."

It's not hard to see that CNS thinks he should stay, but that didn't stop Kareem Jackson last year. Hopefully someone can talk some sense into him; DH needs another year.

 

[silentsam74]

He was asked recently about it and he offered up the usual response about focusing on the bowl game. No surprise there. But, I did find a quote in an article that's kind of interesting. It doesn't say he is going to come back but maybe there is a little hint there. At least enough to offer hope to those that wish to see him return.

'Bama returns with Iron Bowl loss fresh on minds - chicagotribune.com

He watched replays of the 15th-ranked Crimson Tide's hard-to-swallow, 28-27 loss to rival Auburn on Nov. 26 that helped the Tigers along the way to a national title shot and was another big blow for the defending champs.

"That hurt a lot," Hightower said. "I went back home and where I'm from (Lewisburg, Tenn.) there's not too much to do except watch TV," Hightower said. "The Auburn game came on a couple of times and I watched that and I saw the mistakes we made and us giving up, not necessarily mentally but toughness, letting them get around and do things.

"I feel like that's always going to be in the back of our minds until we get it back next year," he said.

 

[TideMan09]

Although I think he should stay and will be worth a lot more money in the NFL if he does say, I keep hearing that he's going regardless. Fear of reinjury...

Yeah I think he should stay another year as well..But I can't really blame him if he turns Pro..

 

[RTR13]

He's got two more years, I reckon he stays for at least one of 'em.

 

[Rueben]

Hi, doc. Try putting more than a name in the thread title. It will help others know what it's about.

Please.

Sorry Pre second cup of coffee when posted. I know better.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

IMHO Donta' needs to stay for his senior season. He did not exactly have a great year. If he shines his senior year so does his NFL pay check.

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

IMHO Donta' needs to stay for his senior season. He did not exactly have a great year. If he shines his senior year so does his NFL pay check.

Because he got a medical redshirt, it will technically be his junior season. He was a redshirt sophomore this year.

 

[rgene]

I hope he stays for himself as well as Bama.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

im hoping he stays, I just cant see him as a 1st round pick, but who knows.

 

[RTR Lady]

Personally, I would love for him to stay but if he does go pro, I wish him the best. I wouldn't blame him in the least. He's one of my favorite players.

 

[Get 15]

I'm afraid the big money of the NFL will be calling, and he will be answering.

 

[BDE]

Couldn't blame him if he left. He seamed to really guard his knee at times this year. Though, I would love to see him be able to showcase his skills on the outside for Bama. I believe that's where his future lies.

 

[CrimsonSEC]

He should stay. I could see him not going until the third round or worse if he leaves for the draft this year.

 

[mulletover]

Just my opinion here, but, Ingram, Julio, Dareus are the only sure bets to leave as juniors. Next we have Barron, Hightower and Maze who are potential junior prospects leaving for the NFL. Much of it depends on their preformance during the bowl game. If any of these guys have memorable games it will improve their stock. According to Mel Kiper's 2011 Big Board Hightower, Maze and Barron aren't in the top two rounds. My guess is these guys stay.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Just my opinion here, but, Ingram, Julio, Dareus are the only sure bets to leave as juniors. Next we have Barron, Hightower and Maze who are potential junior prospects leaving for the NFL. Much of it depends on their preformance during the bowl game. If any of these guys have memorable games it will improve their stock. According to Mel Kiper's 2011 Big Board Hightower, Maze and Barron aren't in the top two rounds. My guess is these guys stay.

JJ said recently that he wasn't going unless he were a top five pick, which, IMO, he won't be. Of course that could change. He's obviously NFL ready...