SEC EXTRA: Alabama's Dont'a Hightower has new knee and old fire

dontahightower2.JPGAuburn wide receiver Rodgeriqus Smith (80) drops the ball after a hit by Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower (30) during an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Nov. 28, 2008. Hightower's physical trainers say he's progressing quickly from an injury sustained in September, and his teammates take notice. "He's walking around smiling, having a good time," tailback Mark Ingram said. "It's just good to see that injury doesn't have him down or anything like that, because a lot of people could take that many different ways."
TUSCALOOSA -- That stationary bike hasn't seen anything yet.

Alabama sophomore linebacker Dont'a Hightower is getting stronger. While teammates practice just a few steps away, Hightower wears a black jersey, takes a deep breath and resumes the first steps of a painful process known as rehab.

He's attacking the bike like he would a ballcarrier in an attempt to work his injured knee back into shape.

"I'm just going to have to come back with a relentless attitude," Hightower said.

Hightower is barely a month removed from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. On one play against Arkansas, Hightower tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus, ending his 2009 season in the fourth game. He confirmed the extent of the injury Wednesday in his first public comments since the play.

"I pretty much have a brand-new knee," he said. "When it happened, I really didn't feel the pain. My adrenaline was pumping so bad, and I was pretty upset that it happened. I knew it was something bad, because I tried to get up and walk on it and I couldn't."

The worst football injury in Hightower's past had been a broken arm.

Despite the severity of the injury, his surgery went well. Team surgeon Lyle Cain and trainer Jeff Allen have since told Hightower he is "way ahead" of schedule in his recovery. Realistic hopes are to return in the spring for non-contact drills and be cleared completely "a couple of weeks before fall camp."

"God does everything for a reason," Hightower said. "We might not know what that reason is, but you've just got to take that as a bump in the road (toward) the goals that I've set. I'm just going to have to reset those goals and do the best I can for the time being."

All Hightower can do right now is be there for teammates on Alabama's undefeated, second-ranked squad.

So he has been. Almost immediately after his surgery, Hightower reappeared at the Crimson Tide's football complex, limping along in a large cast and offering a large smile to anyone who passed him.

"He's walking around smiling, having a good time," tailback Mark Ingram said. "It's just good to see that injury doesn't have him down or anything like that, because a lot of people could take that many different ways. It's just good to see him happy, and everybody is looking forward to him getting back."

A few weeks later, Hightower shed the cast. He has been a steady presence at all team functions since his injury, attended all meetings and watched film. He also was on the sideline during Saturday's 12-10 victory over Tennessee, helping coach defensive players.

"I don't want to feel like I'm going to isolate myself just because I'm not able to play," Hightower said, "The worst part about this is out on game day, on the field, watching them play without me, knowing that the most I can do is coach them up in between plays and series."

Hightower was such a talented, versatile player that he has been difficult for Alabama to replace. Coach Nick Saban has often shifted linebackers and used multiple players to try to fill all the different roles that Hightower played.

True freshman Nico Johnson is now the "Will" linebacker in Alabama's base defense. Others have been used in different formations, with a search still ongoing to find an edge rusher in passing situations.

"Nico Johnson is doing a great job right now," Hightower said. "I know he's pretty young. There's just a couple of things that he doesn't know right now that I've been through. I've seen what he's seeing now. So I'm able to coach him up."

Goals for Alabama's team are still within reach without Hightower, but his positive response to this injury has surprised basically no one.

"The focus, No. 1, is for Dont'a to do the things that he needs to do to get healthy again and not have an issue relative to his future as a football player," Saban said. "He was such a big part of our team, in terms of how he contributed, what he did and how he was respected that I think it's great that he's kind of taken it upon himself. He comes to practice and meetings. He encourages the other players.

"I don't think this is something that you can make a guy do, but I think the other players certainly appreciate it. We appreciate it, and it's just an example of the great person and how much Dont'a Hightower cares about his team and his teammates."