The University of Miami has hired longtime National Football League executive and Hurricanes great Alonzo Highsmith as general manager of football operations, head football coach Mario Cristobal announced Thursday.
“Alonzo is a true Miami Hurricane,” Cristobal said. “He understands the commitment and sacrifice it takes to be a champion on and off the field. His tremendous passion for the University of Miami and this city is unparalleled.
“Alonzo brings experience as a student-athlete, a first-round NFL draft pick and an NFL executive. He shares our vision for the trajectory and the culture of this football program, and his knowledge and experience will allow him to make a positive and powerful impact on our program and community. I am fired up to welcome home another Miami Hurricane!”
As general manager of football operations, Highsmith will work directly with Cristobal to support all administrative functions of the football program, including budget related items, culture building, program imaging, and working directly with staff members both on and off the field. He will also serve as a liaison between the administration and football program, serve as a liaison between former Miami players and staff, assist with scouting and roster assessment and supervise NFL relations.
“We are excited to welcome Alonzo back to Coral Gables.” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “His extensive experience as an NFL executive will provide tremendous value to our football operations. In addition, we are looking forward to having him as a member of our senior administrative team.”
Highsmith, who played running back for the Hurricanes from 1983-1986, boasts 29 years’ experience and 18 playoff appearances as an NFL player, scout and executive. He has spent the past 23 years in scouting and personnel, most recently serving as senior executive advisor to the general manager for the Seattle Seahawks.
“It is an honor to come back to the University of Miami and I am very humbled,” Highsmith said. “The opportunity to work with Mario Cristobal and Dan Radakovich, as well as my passion and love for the city of Miami is what brought me back. I could not pass up this opportunity and this challenge.”
Prior to his stint in Seattle, Highsmith served as vice president of personnel for the Cleveland Browns from 2018 to 2019. Before joining the Browns, he spent 19 seasons in the Green Bay Packers’ player personnel department.
Highsmith joined the Packers as a college scout in 1999 and spent 13 years on their college scouting staff. He was promoted to senior personnel executive in 2012 and remained in that role through the 2017 season. During his time in Green Bay, the Packers earned 13 trips to the playoffs, captured nine NFC North division titles and won Super Bowl XLV.
Highsmith starred at Miami’s Columbus High School before lettering four years at Miami, playing for legendary coaches Howard Schnellenberger and Jimmy Johnson. As a freshman fullback he led the Hurricanes in rushing in the 1984 Orange Bowl, helping Miami defeat Nebraska to win the first of its five national championships.
Here is an update as of May 1, 2022:
WIDE RECEIVER POSITION SIGNING
Keyshawn Smith WR 2020
Michael Redding WR 2020
Xavier Restrepo WR 2020
Brashard Smith WR 2021
Jacolby George WR 2021
Romello Brinson WR 2021
Isaiah Horton WR 2022
Frank Ladson WR 2022-T
TIGHT END SIGNING
Will Mallory TE 2018
Dominic Mammarelli TE 2020
Elijah Arroyo TE 2021
Kahlil Brantley TE 2021
Jaleel Skinner TE 2022
RUNNING BACK SIGNING
Don Chaney RB 2020
Jaylan Knighton RB 2020
Thaddius FrankliRB 2021
TreVonte' CitizeRB 2022
Henry Parish RB 2022-T
OFFENSIVE LINE SIGNING
Cleveland Reed OL 2018
Delone Scaife OL 2018
John Campbell OL 2018
Jakai Clark OL 2019
Ousman Traore OL 2019
Zion Nelson OL 2019
Chris Washington OL 2020
Jalen Rivers OL 2020
Isaiah Walker OL 2020-T
Laurence Seymore OL 2021
Michael McLaughlin OL 2021
Ryan Rodriguez OL 2021
Justice Oluwaseun OL 2021-T
Matthew McCoy OL 2022
Anez Cooper OL 2022
Logan Sagapolu OL 2022-T
Jonathan Denis OL 2022-T
QUARTERBACK SIGNING
Peyton Matocha QB 2019
Tyler Van Dyke QB 2020
Jake Garcia QB 2021
Jacurri Brown QB 2022
DEFENSIVE END/TACKLE SIGNING
Jahfari Harvey DE 2019
Chantz Williams DE 2020
Elijah Roberts DE 2020
Jabari Ishmael DE 2021
Nyjalik Kelly DE 2022
Cyrus Moss DE 2022
Antonio MoultrieDE 2022-T
Mitchell Agude DE 2022-T
Jordan Miller DT 2018
Jared Harrison-HDT 2019
Allan Haye DT 2021
Leonard Taylor DT 2021
Ahmad Moten DT 2022
Jacob LichtensteDT 2022-T
Akheem Mesidor DT 2022-T
Darrell Jackson DT 2022-T
LINEBACKER SIGNING
Waynmon Steed LB 2017
Avery Huff LB 2019
Samuel Brooks LB 2019
Corey Flagg Jr LB 2020
Ryan Ragone LB 2020
Chase Smith LB 2021
Thomas Davis LB 2021
Tyler Johnson LB 2021
Wesley BissainthLB 2022
Caleb Johnson LB 2022-T
CORNERBACK/SAFETY SIGNING
Al Blades CB 2018
D.J. Ivey CB 2018
Te'Cory Couch CB 2019
Isaiah Dunson CB 2020
Marcus Clarke CB 2020
Malik Curtis CB 2021
Tyrique StevensonCB 2021-T
Chris Graves CB 2022
Jadem Harris CB 2022
Khamauri Rogers CB 2022
Daryl Porter Jr.CB 2022-T
Gilbert FriersonS 2018
Keontra Smith S 2019
Avantae WilliamsS 2020
Brian Balom S 2020
Jalen Harrell S 2020
Keshawn WashingtS 2020
James Williams S 2021
Kamren Kinchens S 2021
Markeith WilliamS 2022
SPECIAL TEAMS SIGNING
Clay James LS 2019
Louis Hedley P 2019
Andres BorregaleK 2021