Alonzo Highsmith talks about importance of showcasing Miami to recruits during summer

Miami general manager of football operations Alonzo Highsmith knows first hand about the benefits living in Miami can provide. The 58-year-old Highsmith grew up in Miami, went to high school in town and then matriculated to the University.

Now, in his new role, Highsmith is helping new students and players see those benefits that he was able to reap during his time — and still does.

He said he likes to have recruits visit the school in June because they can see how great the area is during the summer.

“One of the most important things for us at the University of Miami is getting players on campus,” Highsmith said recently at Miami Legends Camp. “June is a huge month of recruiting around the nation and it’s big for Miami. Miami has a lot to sell in June. There’s a reason why people move to Florida. They want to be in Florida. By being able to showcase the university in June, it gives athletes a better picture of what Miami is and that’s why it’s big.”

Highsmith attended Miami Christopher Columbus before joining the Hurricanes. He spent four years with Miami as a starting fullback for the team, including helping them to the national championship as a freshman.

He rushed for 1,914 yards in his career and finished with career with just under 3,000 all-purpose yards.

After his college career, Highsmith was drafted third overall in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played in six NFL seasons with the Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Highsmith then entered the front office world before returning home to Miami to work for head coach Mario Cristobal. He spent almost two decades as a staffer in the player personnel department for the Green Bay Packers. The former national champion was also the Cleveland Browns vice president of personnel for two seasons.

In addition to his national championship ring, Highsmith has a ring from winning Super Bowl XLV as a member of the scouting staff with the Packers.

He said the program’s location in a international city with great weather and great acclaim should be a huge benefit to getting people to come to the school.

“One of the greatest things that Miami has is its location,” Highsmith said. “People like coming to Miami. So, for our players to come back to Miami, most of them, a lot of them, live here in the community. A lot of them still live in the state of Florida.”