Pats Pulpit
The Patriots hired A.J. Highsmith earlier this offseason.
As part of their organization-wide restructure under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots brought in a familiar face to lead their pro scouting department. Well, familiar at least to one member of the team.
A.J. Highsmith, the son of senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, was hired in early May to succeed the departed Patrick Stewart. The younger Highsmith joins New England after an 11-year career as a scout and executive — one that previously developed independently of his father’s.
Now, the two are united at last. And Alonzo feels that his son has earned the opportunity regardless of his ties to the Patriots.
“This is his 12th year in the business. He’s been in the business for a long time,” Highsmith told Fanatics Sports.
“I’ve always stayed away from working with my son because you know how that goes sometimes. But he’s proven to be good in the business. He’s a good person, he’s a hard worker, he’s smart. I think he’ll be a good addition to our organization, just like Ryan Cowden was.”
Highsmith started his career in the NFL as an assistant in the San Francisco 49ers’ scouting department in 2014. He was promoted to pro personnel scout two years later before leaving the club to join the Buffalo Bills as an area college scout.
After five years in Buffalo — including his final season, 2023, as national scout — Highsmith joined a Tennessee Titans team that had just fired Mike Vrabel as its head coach. He only lasted one season in his role as director of scouting, though, and was ultimately let go after this year’s draft.
It did not take him long to find a new job.
“He’s young, but has some experience with some other organizations,” said Vrabel after Highsmith was hired. “I think ultimately, we just felt really comfortable after the interview process of bringing him on. His passion for football, he’s got a great demeanor. This is me speaking: I enjoyed his demeanor, his personality. I think just his presence is something that’s always important.”
Vrabel’s breakdown of his team’s new pro scouting director echoes what Alonzo Highsmith said about him. And it shows that he fits what the Patriots are trying to build under Vrabel.
“We’ve hired a good group of people,” said the elder Highsmith, who originally joined the Patriots in 2024. “Everything we do is going to be about people. If you work for us, if you’re going to play for us, it’s going to start with you as an individual and who you are, what you represent, and what you bring to the New England Patriots organization.
“Since being around Mike Vrabel, since I’ve been in this organization with him, it’s been about enthusiasm, work ethic and people. I’m always going to go back to that.”
