Career: Walk-on player who made the move from defensive to offensive line ... Played his final two years on the offensive side of the ball.

2008: Fourth-year junior ... Played in a reserve role against Syracuse.

2007: Moved to offensive line ... Did not see action ... Named team's offensive practice player of the week on two occasions (vs. Nevada and Michigan).

2006: Did not see action ... Named team's defensive practice player of the week on two occasions (vs. Wisconsin and Iowa).

2005: Did not see action ... Named team's defensive practice player of the week (vs. Iowa).

High School: Tabbed a 2004 first-team all-state defensive lineman by the Arizona Football Coaches Association ... Two-time first-team all-region selection (2003 and 2004) ... Named to 2004 All-Arizona first team by the Arizona Republic ... 2005 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete ... 2004 all-region scholar-athlete ... Totaled 240 career tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 11 fumble recoveries as a three-year letterwinner ... Registered 111 tackles, nine TFL's and six fumble recoveries his senior year ... Played guard, defensive tackle and end for the Coyotes ... Had a career-best 16 tackles in one game ... Team captain ... Who's Who Among High School Students in Sports selection ... Helped lead the Coyotes to region championships in 2003 and 2004 ... Also lettered in basketball (power forward) and track (shot/discus) at Centennial ... Coached by Richard Taylor.

Personal: Born Tanner James Wade Highlen ... Son of Steve and Melody Highlen ... Political science major and business institutions minor.

Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: Tonight Tonight -- Smashing Pumpkins, The Adventure -- Angels and Airwaves, Morningstar -- AFI, At Least That's What You Said -- Wilco, Don't Stop Me Now -- Queen
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Never accept anything less than your best.
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I am teaching myself to play the piano.
Q: My favorite place to visit is:
A: My parents' cabin in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Q: My favorite thing about NU is:
A: The guys on the team
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: Playing on the biggest stage in college football
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Fired-up!
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Becoming a Northwestern Wildcat
Q: The best book I have ever read is:
A: The Grapes of Wrath
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: My father
Q: My favorite food is:
A: Mexican food
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: How close the fans are to the field
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: Living in Evanston
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: Sacking the quarterback in the Rose Bowl and taking the ball back for a touchdown.
Q: My favorite television show is:
A: Shark Week on the Discovery Channel
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Playing golf
Q: The three words that best describe me:
A: Focused, disciplined, happy

Highlen's Career Stats

PARTICIPATION          G2005................   0  No other statistics2006................   0  No other statistics2007................   0  No other statistics2008................   1  No other statisticsTOTAL...............   1  No other statistics