TJ is a former student of The Strike Zone. He played at Blue Ridge High School where he was All-Region for two years and an All-Upper-State award winner in 2019. Coach Highsmith started his collegiate career at USC Sumter and then transferred to USC Union where he won the Gold Glove award for Region X as a catcher. TJ then finished his career at Southern Wesleyan from 2022-2024. He is also currently in the doctorate of physical therapy program with Anderson University.