Charlotte all-America defensive end was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He becomes the third 49er in school history to be selected in the NFL Draft, with all three taken in the third round over the last four years.
Highsmith, who became the 49ers all-time sack leader this past year and was named third team all-America by the Associated Press after leading Charlotte to its first-ever bowl bid, was the 102nd overall pick. The former walk-on is a two-time First Team all-Conference USA selection and owns school records for sacks in a game (4.