Reports: New England Patriots hiring Alonzo Highsmith for front office role

Alonzo Highsmith is leaving Miami, his beloved alma mater, for a front-office job with the Patriots. For the former Hurricanes legend, NFL actually is home.

Multiple outlets, including the South Florida Sun Sentinel, reported that Highsmith left his job as general manager for personnel for the Hurricanes football team. He will work a similar job with the Patriots, helping to evaluate personnel for new coach Jered Mayo.

Highsmith worked for two dozen years in the front offices for the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks. He specifically was a VP of player personnel for the Browns.

Highsmith is 58. He starred as a fullback for the Hurricanes from 1983 through 1986. The old Houston Oilers selected Highsmith with the third pick of the 1987 NFL Draft. He also played for the Cowboys and Bucs.

Highsmith has connections to Patriots de facto GM

The Hurricanes icon worked for his old college team for two seasons, serving as Mario Cristobal’s general manager of football operations. As the GM, evaluated potential transfers into Miami. He also did administrative duties that involved culture building as well as the budget.

The Patriots have not determined Highsmith’s job title. It’s all part of a new beginning for the franchise. Owner Robert Kraft parted ways with Bill Belichick last month and promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach. The Boston Herald reported that Eliot Wood now will serve as a de facto general manager in charge of roster decisions. Wolf and Highsmith worked together with both the Browns and Packers.