Miami great Alonzo Highsmith leaving UM for executive job with New England Patriots

Miami Hurricanes legendary fullback Alonzo Highsmith came home to his beloved Miami Hurricanes as the UM General Manager of Football Operations in May 2022.

Now Highsmith, 58, is saying goodbye to UM and heading back to the NFL to take a front-office, personnel-related job with the New England Patriots, a source familiar with the situation told the Miami Herald on Wednesday. The source said Highsmith would be flying out Wednesday to meet with the Patriots and that the specific job title had not been decided.

Highsmith, a highly respected talent evaluator for decades, was not given the autonomy at UM he thought he’d have and wanted to go somewhere where he’ll make a difference, the source said.

Highsmith’s general manager position at UM was created for him nearly two years ago. His job originally was to work alongside Miami native and coach Mario Cristobal and athletic director Dan Radakovich in a scouting-intensive capacity, overseeing all recruiting operations and building a department intent on acquiring top talent.

UM finished 5-7 in Cristobal’s first season as head coach and 7-6 this past season.

“I’d like to say thank you to the University of Miami and all the athletes that made my job so special,’’ Highsmith posted on the social media platform X, which now has the New England Patriots logo. “I will miss all the players coming by my office everyday and just talking about life & football. Change is part of LIFE but it’s your time now to go be GREAT.’’

Before the GM job, Highsmith had most recently served as senior executive advisor to Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider. He helped lead the Hurricanes to their first national title in 1983 under Howard Schnellenberger.

Highsmith also served as vice president of personnel in 2018 and ‘19 for the Clevelend Browns, as well as 19 seasons with the Green Bay Packers personnel department. He was formerly a candidate for the AD job that went to Radakovich.

Highsmith, who met his wife, Denise, at UM and has three sons and two daughters, knows the South Florida community intimately and has been immersed in Miami football since his playing days from 1983 to 1986. He was drafted as the third overall pick by the Houston Oilers in 1987, and had a six-year NFL career with the Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Highsmith is in the UM Sports Hall of Fame. He finished his career with 1,914 yards and 2,935 all-purpose yards. He scored 25 touchdowns. His four touchdowns against Notre Dame in 1984 was tied with four others for third best in a single game.

Highsmith is a graduate of Miami Columbus High, where Cristobal also played. Highsmith was an All-American defensive end before being converted to a fullback for UM.