With an injured Heisman Trophy winner returning on offense and a defensive end who has been under the spotlight throughout the offseason for his alleged contact with agents, there's little room in the headlines for other players at Alabama.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower might not be anywhere near the spotlight when the defending national champions open the season against San Jose State, but his importance on a defense loaded with question marks cannot be overstated.

"He is in a new role as a signal-caller," coach Nick Saban told reporters last week. "That's a greater responsibility, a little more responsibility for leadership. He's really done a good job with that."

Hightower didn't have to do much in 2009 to garner loads of preseason recognition in 2010, which includes having his name slotted on the watch lists for the Bednarik and Butkus awards. He played in just the first four games of 2009 and watched the rest from the sidelines after he shredded his ACL against Arkansas.

Eleven months of rehabilitation later, Hightower said he feels like a better player, both physically and mentally.

"I feel like a totally different player," he said. "I feel like I play a lot faster, recognize things a lot quicker. That year off let me get in the film room and learn the defense, the ins and outs, why exactly we do this instead of this."

Hightower is one of just three returning starters on a defense that spearheaded Alabama's undefeated season. With question marks aplenty in the Crimson Tide secondary, even more pressure has been placed on Hightower and the rest of Alabama's linebackers.

Rolando McClain, last year's Butkus Award winner, is gone, making Hightower the de facto leader of the unit. Hightower has even taken over McClain's middle linebacker position.

"It has been a tough journey, but I feel so comfortable in it now. I feel like I've played MIKE since I've been here," Hightower said in a Dothan Eagle article. "I feel comfortable making the checks and making all the calls and audibles, so I'm looking forward to the start of the season."

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