Boise State wide receiver Hightower selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft
Boise State wide receiver John Hightower was selected Saturday by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 168th pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Hightower’s selection came just four picks after teammate Curtis Weaver, who was taken at 164 by the Miami Dolphins. On Friday, Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland went in the second round to the Minnesota Vikings.
“The first thing that jumps off the tape with him is he’s a very smooth route runner,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said during Saturday’s broadcast. “He’s a guy who adds a different profile for them. Doug Pederson will have fun with him, because he’s an elite athlete.”
Hightower is one of several elite athletes the Eagles have added to their passing game this offseason. In the first round on Thursday, they drafted TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who posted a time of 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. On Saturday, they traded for San Francisco speedster Marquise Goodwin.
Hightower led the Broncos last season with 943 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through the air, and ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West with 24.6 yards per kick return. He showed off his track speed at the Combine with a time of 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Boise State’s highest draft picks
12. Ryan Clady, OT, Broncos (2008)*
19. Shea McClellin, DE, Bears (2012)*
19. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Cowboys (2018)*
29. Kyle Wilson, CB, Jets (2010)*
30. Markus Koch, DE, Redskins (1986)
31. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers (2012)*
31. David Hughes, FB, Seahawks (1981)
34. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys (2014)
42. Kamalei Correa, DE, Ravens (2016)
44. Titus Young, WR, Lions (2011)
47. Daryn Colledge, OT, Packers (2006)
54. Jamar Taylor, CB, Dolphins (2013)
58. Ezra Cleveland, OT, Vikings (2020)
61. Gerald Alexander, S, Lions (2007)
* indicates first-round pick
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 1:19 PM.
