Philadelphia Eagles draft former Hinds CC wide receiver

John Hightower, a former two-sport standout at Hinds Community College, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 168th pick overall (fifth round) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Hightower competed both on the gridiron as well as the track for Hinds back in 2016 and 2017. In his two-year football career at Hinds, Hightower started 18 games at wide receiver and hauled in 31 receptions for 509 yards and seven touchdowns.

Hightower also spent one season (2016) as a member of the Hinds Track and Field program where he competed in the men’s 400 meter hurdles. He was honored as a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American as he finished fourth in the Finals of 400-Meter Hurdles at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Outdoor Nationals.

Following his time at Hinds, Hightower moved on to play football for the Boise State University Broncos. As a Bronco, he played wide receiver, running back, and returned kickoffs.

In his two seasons at Boise State, Hightower hauled in 81 total receptions for a total of 1,447 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He also ran the ball 24 times and recorded 317 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Hightower returned 26 kickoffs for 840 total return yards and one return touchdown.

Hightower was named All-Mountain West Second Team in 2019 at both wide receiver and kick returner.

With the selection of Hightower, Hinds has now had two former wide receivers taken in the NFL draft in the last three years. The previous draftee was Javon Wims; who was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 224th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.