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Impact Hightower will look to turn pro after four seasons at the FBS level. With both Illinois and California, he logged a combined 58 receptions for 762 yards and five touchdowns.
DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Declares for NFL Draft Hightower has declared for the NFL Draft, according to his announcement Tuesday.
Heading to the West Coast Hightower committed to transfer to California on Tuesday.
Impact Hightower recorded career highs across the board in 11 games with Illinois this past season, hauling in 37 of 56 targets for 452 yards and two touchdowns. However, the 6-foot-3 wideout never managed to separate himself from fellow big-bodied receivers Pat Bryant and Casey Washington. Hightower will now look to carve out a bigger role with Cal during his final season of collegiate eligibility in 2023.
JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Looking to move again Hightower entered the transfer portal Wednesday, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact After sitting out both of Illinois' final two games of the 2022-23 campaign, Hightower officially announced that he'll be looking to pursue opportunities elsewhere next fall via the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver originally relocated from Miami to the Fighting Illini in 2020, and since then, he's logged 48 receptions for 661 yards and five touchdowns in that stretch.
JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Status unclear Monday Hightower (undisclosed) did not play in Illinois' season finale against Northwestern.
Impact Hightower missed his first game of the season in Week 13, leaving him with an unclear status for the team's bowl game against Mississippi State. He's currently second on the team in receptions (37) and has 452 yards and two touchdowns. Pat Bryant and Casey Washington would likely step into bigger roles if Hightower is unable to play.
JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Notches 68 yards versus Iowa Hightower caught five of six targets for 68 yards in Saturday's 9-6 victory over Iowa.
Impact Hightower came up with numerous big-time catches for the Fighting Illini's offense Saturday, including a game-long 34-yard reception from backup quarterback Arthur Sitkowski, who relieved injured starter Tommy DeVito (lower leg) in the first half. The 215-pound junior has been the second most consistent wideout for Illinois this season, hauling in 73.3 percent of his 30 targets through six games. Hightower could be called upon to step up into an even bigger role moving forward after top pass catcher Isaiah Williams sustained a concussion in the second half against the Hawkeyes.
OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Leading receiver Saturday Hightower caught all five of his passes for 59 yards during Saturday's 34-10 win over Wisconsin.
Impact Hightower topped the Fighting Illini's receiving corps in yards and catches for the first time this season as he finished with a game-long 35-yard receptions during Saturday's upset win. The 6-foot-3 wideout also notched season-highs across these two categories while serving as the No. 3 target for quarterback Tommy DeVito (18-of-24 passing, 167 yards). Hightower averaged 3.0 receptions (4.8 targets) for 30.0 yards through the first four games of the season, and he'll continue to vie for targets while playing opposite Pat Bryant (four receptions, six targets, 51 yards) this season.
OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Will be available Saturday Hightower (undisclosed) will be available Saturday against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Hightower has been out of practice the last couple weeks due to a soft tissue injury. He is finally healthy enough to return and contribute to the Illini passing attack against Virginia.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Set for extended absence Coach Brett Bielema relayed Monday that Hightower (undisclosed) will be sidelined for a while due to a soft issue injury, Joey Wagner of 247 Sports reports.
Impact Bielema indicated that the injury won't end Hightower's season, but the fact that that had to be mentioned at all when discussing the injury would seem to suggest he's headed for a longer stay on the sideline as he recovers from the issue. Isaiah Williams, Donny Navarro ad Casey Washington led the way among the wideouts Saturday, while the eventual return of Marquez Beason (hamstring) should provide some added depth.
AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not dressed Saturday Hightower is not dressed for Saturday's game against Nebraska, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact Hightower is one of the Illini's veteran receivers heading into this season so his absence is definitely not a minor one. The 6-3 wideout hauled in 11 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns last season. His next chance to suit up will be next Saturday against UTSA.
AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Illinois seeking to surprise No. 14 Wisconsin one more time
Illinois believes its upset of Wisconsin last year showed how far its program has comeOCTOBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
