The New England Patriots have filled a prominent vacancy in their front office. A.J. Highsmith, the son of current senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, will take over as the team’s new director of pro scouting.
NFL insider Neil Stratton was first to report the move.
A quarterback and defensive back at the University of Miami, Highsmith made the move to the NFL in 2014 not as a player but as an assistant in the San Francisco 49ers’ scouting department. After two seasons, he was promoted to pro personnel scout; his responsibilities included working in pro scouting and roster evaluation as well as coordinating player tryouts and visits.