Get to know Boise State’s new star – highlight-reel wide receiver John Hightower

With pads on, John Hightower has a flair for the exciting, and likes thrilling Boise State football fans with his speed.

That’s also how the junior wide receiver gets his adrenaline going while away from the field.

“We were sitting in my office right after we met. He told me he liked to dirt bike, and I told him I’d like to go sometime,” said Chris Mattox, an assistant coach at Hinds Community College in Mississippi, where Hightower played before he transferred to Boise State. “Then he showed me a video of him zipping around his neighborhood, doing these wheelies, and I’m like, never mind.”

Hightower loves playing football and has quickly become a vital part of the Broncos’ offense with his big-play ability and top-end quickness.

But his passion for most of his life has been bikes of all varieties — he’s got a “Bike Life” tattoo on his right bicep and said “other than playing sports, that was the only other hobby I (had).” He got his first dirt bike when he was 4 and rode it all over his hometown of Landover, Md. His favorite spots were the parking lots around the Redskins’ home, FedEx Field, including a nearby vacant mall.

“A lot of people ride where I’m from, and nobody’s ever over there. I like riding on cement, so it was a good, open area to go,” Hightower said.

He has the dirt bike resting during football season, but also is just as deft on the pedal variety. He posted a video on Twitter this summer in which he was riding on just the back wheel without touching the handlebars.

“Some of the guys on the team will go watch him do tricks in the garage at our apartment building. It’s pretty amazing,” senior receiver Akilian Butler said.

Balance, agility, athleticism, speed — great assets on a bike and even better on the field.

Only 10 players in the nation have more plays of 50 yards or more than Hightower’s three. He has touchdown runs of 55 and 88 yards (the latter tied a school record), and touchdown receptions of 67, 41 and 31 yards. He has eight carries for 163 yards, 21 receptions for 306 yards and six kick returns for 135 yards.

“John is very, very, very fast — very fast. I think the world recognized that these last couple games. … He’s doing some crazy things with the ball,” senior receiver A.J. Richardson said. “I think it’s really exciting. John has brought a big spark to the receiving room. I’m happy for him. He’s comfortable here, he loves it, and he loves to play.”

Being fast is what took Hightower from Maryland to Mississippi. He initially went to Hinds to compete on its standout track team. He did both sports, finishing fourth at the 2016 NJCAA national championships in the 400-meter hurdles.

But football, at first, wasn’t even a possibility. He tried to play on the team in the 2015 season but didn’t make the cut. Hinds could have only eight out-of-state players on its roster.

“It was something I knew I could accomplish. I don’t like failing at stuff, so it just made me sit there and think, ‘I have to grind harder so I can make the team next year,’ ” Hightower said.

Lo and behold, he made it, bringing his quickness and 6-foot-2 frame to the Eagles. He had 31 catches in his two seasons there. Mattox, who was on the Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College staff when Boise State’s most recent junior college success, Cedrick Wilson, was there, saw two different but very good receivers go against his defensive backs.

“(Hightower) has a great feel for the game. We had him help at cornerback one spring and he learned all the calls, which made it tough for us when he went back to receiver,” Mattox said. “Ced had the best natural hands I’ve seen. He was very crafty, but John, he’s much faster and he can be trusted to be used in all the ways you see Boise State is doing.”

It is fair to ponder how a guy who had 18 and 13 catches in the past two seasons at a junior college winds up in Boise.

The Broncos’ recruiting staff was checking out one of Hightower’s teammates, Stephen Guidry, after the 2016 season but also saw the speedy, lanky, raw Hightower. Guidry wound up at Mississippi State, another Hinds receiver went to Southern Miss, and two others went to FCS schools.

“There wasn’t a lot of production, which ... I think helped us,” Boise State receivers coach Eric Kiesau said.

Missouri, among others, came in late, but Hightower was sold when he committed to BSU after his visit almost a year ago, on Oct. 25, 2017.

“I created a bond with a bunch of the guys in just the two days I was here,” Hightower said. “I felt like I’d known them my whole life. I liked watching Boise State growing up, too, and getting to know what they’re about, it fit me in so many ways.”

And that’s how he wound up going from Mississippi to Idaho.

“John’s an East Coast kid, but he seems to fit more in the West. He really has that relaxed vibe,” Mattox said.

Boise itself has been a fit, but the program even more. Hightower originally planned to enroll in January but had to square away some academics, so he joined in the summer. That gave him less time to practice, so when he made it to campus, he hit the ground running, diving into film over the summer and picking Kiesau’s brain.

“He’d text me, ‘Hey, Coach, I was watching this, what do I do on this play?’ and I’m like, ‘John, it’s Sunday,’ ” Kiesau said. “But that was him. He knew his objective when he came here, he had a plan, had a vision, knew what he wanted, and he’s carried it out.”

It hasn’t been perfect, of course. He fumbled for the first time last Saturday at Nevada, and also drew a personal foul flag after his 88-yard end-around score. It wasn’t a celebration that was new; he simply pointed to the last name on his jersey. He’s actually John Hightower IV and wanted to honor his family.

“It’s just something important to me, my name is the most important thing to me,” Hightower said. “I just don’t need to do it again; it was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it.”

HARSIN CONTRACT APPROVED: The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously approved an amended contract for Boise State coach Bryan Harsin in Lewiston on Thursday. The improved deal includes a buyout of $500,000 if he leaves after this season, a stipulation not in his current contract. It also includes a bevvy of bonuses, including $10,000 if he beats BYU on Nov. 3, and others that further reward Mountain West success.

[Related: Sports Pass subscription offers a year of sports coverage for $30; The 208 Podcast features Dave Southorn]

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR JOHN HIGHTOWER

It’s pretty unique that you play with your shoes untied. How did that start?

“In 11th grade, the new (Nike) Vapors came out and they were really tight on my feet. I decided to untie them to make them a little looser, so they weren’t so tight, and that just became what I did. The cleats now are also tight. ... Coach (Bryan) Harsin definitely gets on me. When we have workout shoes on, I’ve got to tie those.”

Did you want to wear No. 16, or was it just given to you?

“I actually wanted to wear No. 1, but I was fine with any one they gave me. I kind of like 16 now, it’s unique. I don’t really know any other receivers who had it.”

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

“In the U.S., I’d pick California. I’ve never been there, but I know we play there next year. Around the world, I’d say Monaco. There’s a lot of yachts there. I have a dream to own one, or at least I’d like to spend a day on one.”

You love bikes and boats, any other modes of transportation?

“Cars, I love cars. The new Camaro ZL1, that’s my favorite. I can do minimal stuff on cars, change the oil, stuff like that. I know about engines, just never worked on one, but I’m learning.”

You could have the ability to pause, rewind or fast-forward life. What do you choose?

“I’d pause. I like it here, I’m enjoying where I’m at right now.”

This story was originally published October 18, 2018 at 2:28 PM.