Its official: Hightower out for season

TUSCALOOSA | As expected, University of Alabama sophomore linebacker Dont'a Hightower's season is over.

Hightower underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on his left knee Sunday, and is expected to undergo surgery early this week.

"Dont'a Hightower's MRI confirmed that he has ligament damage in his knee that will require surgery" Coach Nick Saban said in a release. "Dont'a is a fine young man, has been an outstanding player for us, and we are confident he will make a full recovery."

Hightower made two tackles in Saturday's game before sustaining the injury late in the first quarter on a short carry by Arkansas running back Michael Smith when he took a low block from senior guard Mitch Petrus.

He finished the season with 16 tackles, four for a loss and one sack, giving him 80 career tackles, 6.5 for a loss.

"There's a guy right there, he doesn't get talked about enough," Saban said after Saturday's game. He's a fine young man, a great leader on our team, one of our best football players on our entire team. The best pass-rusher we have, very good linebacker. Plays in the nickel, athletic size, and I hate to see any player get hurt, ever, but that one there is a good one."