From winless season to walk-on to NFL stardom: Ashley honors alum Alex Highsmith
There are few Wilmington-area athletes with a story like Alex Highsmith's.
The former Ashley High School football player has become a national name after signing a four-year, $68 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the start of the NFL season.
But before he ever gained the attention of NFL scouts and coaches, Highsmith developed his skills with the Screaming Eagles, making 68 total tackles as a junior in 2013.
On Friday, Highsmith had his No. 34 high school jersey retired at a ceremony held between basketball games at Ashley.
"I'm grateful to be back in this gym where I played, in this school where I played," Highsmith told fans in Ashley's gym Friday. "I'm just grateful for the journey that I've had. I believe my story is a testimony that hard work can take you places."
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The jersey retirement is the third of its kind at Ashley, which opened its doors 23 years ago. Principal Michael Perez says that Highsmith's legacy has lived on long past his playing days at the school.
"I've heard stories of him being out here on afternoons grinding, flipping tires by himself," Perez said of Highsmith's reputation at Ashley. "These kids will see him and know the story that he wasn't some god-given talented kid that didn't have to work ... he worked his butt off and that gives him that legacy."
Highsmith famously received no offers to play collegiate football out of high school and walked on to UNC Charlotte, where he later earned a scholarship and the attention of the NFL.
After being drafted by the Steelers in 2020, the outside linebacker put together a career season in 2022, logging 14.5 sacks (6th in NFL) and five forced fumbles (tied first in NFL).
Before the start of the NFL season last July, he signed a four-year $68 million contract to make him the ninth highest-paid outside linebacker in professional football.
Finishing the 2023 season with seven sacks, 57 total tackles and two interceptions, Highsmith scored the first touchdown of his NFL career as he intercepted then Huston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and returned it 30 yards for the score.
Even during Highsmith's playing time at Ashley, the Screaming Eagles struggled on the gridiron and put together just one winning season in over 20 years.
That changed last fall as current coach Dante Lombardi led Ashley to its first playoff win and home playoff game in school history.
"It just shows them that anything in life is possible," Lombardi said of Highsmith's example to current Ashley athletes. "Hearing his story, going 0-10 (In high school), and then being a walk-on, it just shows that hard work will pay off."
Highsmith has remained active in the Wilmington community, hosting annual youth summer camps and other events to raise money for social causes.
Continuing to solidify his status as one of Wilmington's most accomplished football players, Highsmith's message to athletes from his hometown is simple.
"For those of y'all that are out there that have dreams of going to the NFL, going to the NBA... no matter what it is, with hard work, you can achieve those things. I'm thankful for God's grace in my life for giving me that hard work, that work ethic to be able to do what I do and chase what I love."
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Steelers’ Alex Highsmith has jersey retired by Ashley High School
