LB commit Todd Alexander doing double duty

by **MustangFan** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:04 am

North 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."

by **Casey** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:47 am

The guy played offensive tackle on a state champion team at 6-2, 200? That's the kind of guy I want to take into battle with me.

by **ClassOf81** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:41 am

Good stuff, MustangFan

by **PonyTales** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:16 pm

Wow! Sounds like one tough dude.

by **giacfsp** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 12:04 pm

What district is North Crowley in? Isn't that a 4A school?

How is this guy playing offensive tackle at his size? There's some big DEs and OLBs in 4A ball. Either that's a misprint, or this is the toughest guy we've recruited in years.

by **BleedingRed+Blue** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:45 am

Yall wouldn't believe Todd Alexander if you saw him. The assumptions here that he's a tough guy are dead-on.

He has three teammates who also have serious interest in SMU: DE Chris Parham, WR Andre Dixon and OL Trey Beatty (6-5, 300).

by **Phil Fan** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 7:48 pm

Anyone who can play offensive tackle at his size is the kind of guy I want playing on my defense. This sounds like a Phil Bennett-type player through and through.

Anyone hearing any updates on those teammates mentioned in the previous post?

by **mustangbill67** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 9:08 pm

I sat across the aisle from him at the game Saturday. He is not a big guy. Looks more like a DB.

by **Lotus** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:18 am

Right. He's not big. But he sounds amazingly tough.

by **tmustangp** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:06 pm

i saw this kid play about three weeks ago when N. Crowly came back in the second half and beat Aledo. I remember watching him and thinking while the hell is he playing OT also, but he is one heck of a player and getting guys in here from programs with skins on the wall is a huge plus