Opportunity is knocking for Alex Highsmith.
Whether or not the second-year linebacker opens the door is up to him. But given his history, there's a good chance he does.
Highsmith is being counted on by the Steelers to step into the open spot in their defense vacated by the departure of outside linebacker Bud Dupree. And he knows they are big shoes to fill.
"I’m coming in with the mindset to be the best that I can be. I’m stepping into this role and I’m excited and blessed to have this opportunity," Highsmith said Wednesday as the Steelers wrapped up their second OTA session of this offseason.
"I just know I’ve got to make the most of it. The same thing happened to me in college. I didn’t start my first couple of years in college. I wound up starting and took advantage of that opportunity. I feel like when an opportunity is presented to me, I’m always going to take advantage of it."
The Steelers are certainly banking on that. They didn't add a veteran outside linebacker in free agency. They did select an outside linebacker in the draft, but waited until the sixth round, where they took Miami (Fla.) edge rusher Quincy Roche.
The message was clear. The starting job belongs to Highsmith.
It just wasn't all that clear -- apparently -- to the national pundits. More than a few draft prognosticators had the Steelers selecting an outside linebacker in the draft to replace Dupree. That overlooked the fact Highsmith had filled in for Dupree in the final five games of the 2020 season after he suffered a torn ACL.
Highsmith, a third-round pick last season, finished those five games with 28 tackles, five quarterback hits and a sack. Overall, serving as the Steelers' third outside linebacker, Highsmith had 48 tackles, two sacks, an interception and six quarterback hits.
"I think it shows that they do have faith in me to come in and earn this spot, earn this role and just be the best player I can be," Highsmith said. "I can say it really just gave me more motivation to work even harder when I saw those reports coming out."
The thing he feels he needs to get better at? Getting off the line at the snap of the ball more quickly.
Highsmith's six quarterback hits last season were nice, but he feels if he can get off the ball more quickly, the sacks will come. After all, he's lining up opposite one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL in T.J. Watt.
He should see his share of one-on-one matchups.
"I want to come in and earn that respect that he has," Highsmith said of Watt, a finalist in each of the past two seasons for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "He’s one of the most respected guys in the game, one of the best at what he does. So, I’ve got to come in and earn that respect, as well, to be able to even it out a little bit.
"I’ve got to get better at my get-off. That’s something I’ve worked on. If I don’t beat the o-lineman to the spot, I can’t use my pass rush moves. If I can get off and beat the lineman to that spot, it’s a lot easier to execute my move and get to the quarterback."
He had some good teachers a year ago. Watt and Dupree formed one of the league's most feared pass rushing duos the past two seasons, and Highsmith was able to learn by watching them last season.
Highsmith also learned that the way to get better is not just working on the field, but off it, as well.
"Everyone has talent that here. What separates the good from the great is studying film and the guys that know what to do mentally," he said. "So, I’m going to take that to another level this year by studying even more so I can recognize formations. That will help me get off the ball faster. Those first couple of games (replacing) Bud, I was slow off the ball because I was seeing too much. As the game started slowing down for me, I was able to process things easier."
It should all come a little easier for him. A year ago, he was making the transition from a smaller college program -- Charlotte -- where he had been a star, to the NFL. And he did so without the benefit of OTA sessions such as the ones the Steelers are now completing.
But this year, he has those OTA sessions -- and some experience under his belt. Highsmith played 437 snaps in 2020, a number he'll surely double in 2021.
He's prepared by remaking his body. His weight is only up three or four pounds -- from 250 -- but it's muscle that he's added.
"One thing I came into this offseason wanting to do was get stronger, gain a few pounds, put on a lot of muscle. I feel like I’ve done that. I’ve gotten a lot stronger," he said. "I want to be strong in the run game, strong in the pass rush. Also, it’s just polishing my moves that I have right now. It’s been a great offseason so far. I’m ready for people to see all I’ve been working on."
Especially those people who thought the Steelers should have taken an outside linebacker early in the draft.
"I did see reports about that," he admitted. "It gave me motivation to be the best that I can be and continue to work harder."