LB commit Todd Alexander doing double duty
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:04 amNorth Crowley star Todd Alexander committed last week to play his college ball at SMU. Recently called the top LB in the Fort Worth area by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Alexander -- all 6-2, 200 of him -- also starts for his team at .... LEFT TACKLE?
"We had someone get hurt last year, and I stepped in," said Alexander, who admits that as a blocker, he relies almost exclusively on speed and quickness, and that he never has been as big as the DE he's facing. "I guess I didn't do too bad a job, because I'm still there."
Blocking aside, Alexander is being recruited as a linebacker. He benches 280, squats 450 and has run the 40 in 4.5 and has leaped "36 or 38" in the vertical jump. He was offered a scholarship by Louisiana-Monroe, and drew interest from TCU, Texas Tech, Tulsa and Baylor. But he said Monday that his choice wasn't a difficult one.
"SMU is just a great school, and it's nearby," he said. "I went to their camp, and really liked it. When they offered later in the summer, I thought about it and I took it. The coaches are getting that program headed in the right direction, and I want to be there to help.
"A lot of prayer also went in to it, and a lot of discussions with my family."
Alexander said his decision is permanent.
"It's a solid commitment -- I gave them my word," he said. "I'm not going to go back on that."
Alexander was recruited by defensive coordinator/secondary coach Jim Gush.
"I really like the coaches there -- it seems like a great staff," he said. "I really liked the linebackers coach, Coach (Darrell) Patterson. SMU's going to be a really good place for me to play."
"We had someone get hurt last year, and I stepped in," said Alexander, who admits that as a blocker, he relies almost exclusively on speed and quickness, and that he never has been as big as the DE he's facing. "I guess I didn't do too bad a job, because I'm still there."
Blocking aside, Alexander is being recruited as a linebacker. He benches 280, squats 450 and has run the 40 in 4.5 and has leaped "36 or 38" in the vertical jump. He was offered a scholarship by Louisiana-Monroe, and drew interest from TCU, Texas Tech, Tulsa and Baylor. But he said Monday that his choice wasn't a difficult one.
"SMU is just a great school, and it's nearby," he said. "I went to their camp, and really liked it. When they offered later in the summer, I thought about it and I took it. The coaches are getting that program headed in the right direction, and I want to be there to help.
"A lot of prayer also went in to it, and a lot of discussions with my family."
Alexander said his decision is permanent.
"It's a solid commitment -- I gave them my word," he said. "I'm not going to go back on that."
Alexander was recruited by defensive coordinator/secondary coach Jim Gush.
"I really like the coaches there -- it seems like a great staff," he said. "I really liked the linebackers coach, Coach (Darrell) Patterson. SMU's going to be a really good place for me to play."