SEC News: Former Alabama LB announces retirement, Oquendo declares

Here are a few things you need to know from across the SEC on Tuesday, which included a former Alabama linebacker announcing his retirement, Georgia guard Kario Oquendo declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, and more.

Former Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower announces retirement

After nine seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots, former Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower has officially announced his retirement. Hightower, who was a first round pick back in 2012 out of Alabama by New England, amassed 569 tackles, 43 TFL, and 27 sacks across 117 career games with the Patriots, and also finishes his career as a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion.

At Alabama, Hightower came to Tuscaloosa as a four-star prospect in the 2008 class, and would compile 234 tackles, 21 TFL, and five sacks across four seasons with the Crimson Tide. Hightower was also a two-time national champion at Alabama in 2009 and 2011, as well as a Consensus All-American in 2011.

Georgia G Kario Oquendo declares for 2023 NBA Draft, enters transfer portal

Announced on Tuesday, Georgia guard Kario Oquendo has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, while also entering the transfer portal. Oquendo, who has started in 59-of-60 games across the last two seasons at Georgia, is coming off a season in which he averaged 12.7 PPG and 2.6 RPG.

6 SEC schools included in Top 10 for Wofford transfer BJ Mack

Announced on Tuesday, there were six SEC schools included in the Top 10 for Wofford transfer forward BJ Mack, a group that included Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt alongside Butler, Iowa, Michigan, and Xavier. Mack, a former Second Team All-Southern and two-time All-Southern Tournament selection, is a career 11.9 PPG scorer across four collegiate seasons, and is coming off a year in which he averaged 16.6 PPG and 5.6 RPG on 49.2% shooting from the field and 80.7% from the free throw line.