‘Super Senior’ Hightower seen as difference-maker
But cousin Griffin IV is leaving the program
Corey Hightower and Jay Griffin IV are cousins by blood and brothers at heart.
The University of New Mexico student-athletes played pee-wee football together in Texas, where they became close friends with sleepovers and shared dreams of becoming football stars in college. They played high school football at Huntsville, and then not surprisingly, yet a bit by chance, ended up on the same team at UNM.
Through the years, they developed the same mannerisms and similar personalities, they are both soft-spoken and low-key.
When they are told that it’s interesting and fascinating that their paths have now taken widely different turns, they simply respond: “Yes sir. Yes sir.”
Hightower is one of 14 “super seniors” returning to the UNM football team after a coronavirus-delayed and shortened season that had the Lobos relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. He was moved from safety to cornerback just before the 2020 season began. He has the size, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, and talent to become a difference-maker for a secondary that sorely needs playmakers.
Griffin’s challenging year actually came before 2020. Griffin, known for his blazing speed that has made him a star for the Lobo track and field team, missed most of the 2019 football season due to personal reasons that he would rather not talk about.
He was no longer with the UNM football team when it relocated to Las Vegas. He is on schedule to graduate with a degree in Liberal Arts in May and says he will run for the UNM track and field team this spring. After that he is transferring to Division II Texas A&M Commerce, where he will play football as a wide receiver and also compete in track.
“I’m really happy for him,” Hightower said of Griffin. “It’s his decision at the end of the day and I’m going to support it 100%. He’s my brother so I’m all in with him. Jay, I mean, I really see him as my brother. Growing up together from knee high, playing pee-wee football, being at each other’s house every day, like I see that person as my brother.”
Hightower knows he and Griffin will stay in touch this season. Hightower is planning for a breakout season. It’s his sixth year at UNM. In 2016, he came to the Lobos by way of Griffin’s suggestion.
“I really wanted to go to Central Florida coming out of high school,” Hightower
said. “But their coaching staff got fired that year. Jay had asked me if I wanted to come on a visit here. So I came here. I enjoyed the visit and now after that I’m here.”
Hightower has been a bit of a late bloomer for the Lobos, finding his comfort zone sort of by chance last season. When a COVID outbreak hit the Lobos, that led to Hightower moving to cornerback because of the need, said Troy Reffett, UNM’s cornerbacks coach.
Hightower was actually recruited as a cornerback. He’s the only one out of the Lobos’ “super seniors” who began at UNM as a freshman and did not transfer in.
Hightower is not a vocal-type leader, but Reffett sees him coming out of his shell more this spring.
Both Reffett and UNM head coach Danny Gonzales believe Hightower has great potential.
“He’s got the potential to be one of the best corners in this league if he continues to work on his skill set at that position,” Gonzales said. “He’s working hard. He has no idea how strong he is in the weight room. He’s got a skill set out here that he just needs to brush up and he can be a really good corner in this league.”
Hightower says he wishes he could have his cousin’s speed. Last year, just before the coronavirus pandemic, Griffin successfully defended his Mountain West Conference indoor title in the 200 meters with a time of 21.05 seconds.
However, Reffett said Hightower “has plenty of speed and quickness” to make plays on defense. Griffin also believes in his cousin.
“I’m really excited for him,” Griffin said. “Just knowing Corey and seeing him as a player that he’s developed into, I’m just really excited. I believe that Corey is an NFL cornerback. I feel like when given the chance he’s going to do big things for New Mexico.”
QB, WR OUT: Quarterback Isaiah Chavez is out for the Saturday’s Spring Game after tweaking his right (throwing) elbow during Wednesday’s practice, Gonzales said. Chavez is scheduled to have an MRI next week.
Wide receiver Elijah Queen will also be out after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday’s practice. He will also have an MRI next week.