Titans new Director of Scouting has incredibly rare football background

The Tennessee Titans announced seven new hires to the football staff on Thursday. Headlining the group is A.J. Highsmith who will take over as the organization's Director of Scouting.

If that last name sounds familiar to Titans fans it's because his father, Alonzo, was drafted third overall by the Houston Oilers in the 1987 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the team as a fullback and now serves in the New England Patriots' front office.

Highsmith has paved his own path in his scouting career. Titans general manager Ran Carthon worked alongside Highsmith in their time together with the San Francisco 49ers. For the last five years Highsmith has climbed the ranks in the Buffalo Bills scouting department.

He brings a unique perspective on football to Tennessee. Highsmith played quarterback and defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes from 2009-2013 which makes him versatile as a scout with playing experience on both sides of the ball.

Highsmith is expected to contribute in college and NFL scouting in a new era of Titans football. It should be viewed as an advantage for Carthon to now have a familiar voice in the room as the team's roster begins to take shape with training camp less than a week away.