Ruolo: Tight End- College: Western Kentucky – Classe: Senior
Età: 21 – Altezza: 6’6 (201 cm) – Peso: 249 (113 kg)
Inizialmente un ricevitore, grazie ad un aumento di massa Higbee è stato convertito in un tight end, posizione nella quale nel 2015 si è distinto, collezionando numeri tra i migliori nel college football nel ruolo, nonostante un infortunio al ginocchio lo abbia costretto al riposo forzato per diverse partite. Il passato da wide receiver gli garantisce notevole abilità nella corsa delle tratte e nella ricezione, favorita dalla dimensione delle mani e dalla fisicità con cui è in grado di difendere l’ovale anche in seguito allo scontro. Pur avendo adeguato la propria struttura fisica alle esigenze della posizione necessita di ulteriore lavoro in tal senso, per reggere all’impatto dei pass rusher in fase di copertura, situazione nella quale deve anche migliorare la propria velocità di aggiustamento. L’indubbio talento nella ricezione potranno aiutare Higbee nel proprio stock in fase di selezione al Draft, vista una classe di Tight end nel complesso non eccezionale.
(Scheda a cura di Daniele Perosin – Huddle Magazine)
PLAYER OVERVIEW
Higbee signed with Western Kentucky as a wide receiver in 2011 and left in 2015 as a first-team All-Conference USA pick who tied for the nation's best among tight ends with eight touchdowns.
During his first fall at Western Kentucky, Higbee played in 11 games, starting one contest. He finished that season with two receptions but scored one time from 63 yards out.
In 2012, Higbee made the move fulltime to tight end and redshirted. In 2013, he played in seven games with three starts. He finished with 13 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.
In 2014, Higbee had 15 receptions for 230 yards and four scores as the backup. He enjoyed his finest season as a senior, playing in nine games, catching 38 passes for 563 yards and scoring eight times.
STRENGTHS: Outstanding size and a terrific frame. Has length and above average straight-line speed. Can move for a 250-pounder.
In terms of hands, Higbee gets the job done. He pretty much catches everything thrown his way and can make the tough grab in traffic. Can go high and get the ball as well as getting down low. Former wide receiver is a good route runner. A load to bring done and has shown the ability to break tackles after the reception and gain additional yardage.
Solid as a blocker; tough and physical at the point of attack and does his job. Doesn't blow anybody off the ball but he will put his hat on a defender and stay in front of him.
WEAKNESSES: Good, solid, all-around player without being a standout in any one area. Could be a little more dominating in the run game. Limited production until his senior season, and the jump in the level of competition will be significant. One-year starter still learning nuances of position.
IN OUR VIEW: This is a nice looking tight end prospect who has worked hard to put himself in this position, especially after making the position change. Along the way, Higbee has added 60 pounds. He's athletic and versatile and in the right offensive system Higbee could really be a nice weapon in the NFL because he's a guy that can be good in the run game and evolve into a tight end that work the middle of the field in the passing game and become a real threat.
