Dane Brugler has him as the fifth overall LB.1. ERIC KENDRICKS2. SHAQ THOMPSON3. DENZEL PERRYMAN4. PAUL DAWSON5. KWON ALEXANDER6. BENARDRICK McKINNEY7. STEPHONE ANTHONY8. MIKE HULL9. TAIWAN JONES10. BEN HEENEY11. RAMIK WILSON12. JAKE RYAN13. JORDAN HICKS5. KWON ALEXANDER | LSU6006|227 lbs|3JR Oxford, Ala. (Oxford HS) 8/3/1994 (age 20) #4 GRADE 3rd RoundMEASUREABLES Arm: 30 1/4 | Hand: 09 1/4 | Wingspan: 74 5/8COMBINE 40-YD: 4.55 | 10-YD: 1.58 | 20-YD: 2.68 | BP: 24 | VJ: 36 | BJ: 10’01” | SS: 4.20 | 3C: 7.14 PRO DAY LS: 12.042012: (7-2) 2013: (13-9) 2014: (12/12) Total: (32/23)11/1.0/0.0/1/2 65/6.5/0.0/0/0 90/7.5/1.5/2/0 166/15.0/1.5/3/2BACKGROUND: A four-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Alexander narrowed his college choice down to Alabama, Auburn and LSU, choosing to go out of state and join the Tigers. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, playing in the first seven games (two starts) before an injury ended his season, finishing with 11 tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss. Alexander started nine games in 2013 as a sophomore and recorded 65 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. He started 12 games in 2014 as a junior and led the team in tackles (90), finishing with 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Alexander opted to skip his final season in Baton Rouge for the 2015 NFL Draft.STRENGTHS: Natural athleticism with the lateral range to cover both sidelines...fast in pursuit with above average speed and redirection skills for the position...active feet to hop and avoid blocks in space with a quick first step...explosive blitzer off the edge, showing arm moves and burst around the corner...attacks the line of scrimmage, filling with purpose and veracity...combative and initiates the action at the point of attack, peppering blockers with his hands...plays head up while engaged to work off blocks with a physical mindset...doesn’t slow as a tackler, striking with violence and leverage at the contact point...motor is always revving and never plays half-speed...versatile experience, spending time at the WILL, SAM and MIKE linebacker spots over his career...sets the tempo in the locker room and on the practice field with his intensity and hustle...high character and focuses on his football development – hard to find anyone who talks negatively about the way he carries himself...productive as a starter, leading the team in tackles (90) in 2014.WEAKNESSES: Body type appears near maxed out physically with short arms...plays too fast at times, overpursuing and struggling to recover in time...needs to tighten up his breakdown skills to collect himself and finish, allowing ballcarriers to juke him in the hole...inconsistent shed skills and struggles to get himself clean once locked up...unselfish, attacking player, but needs to play smarter and not give himself up so easily downhill...streaky instincts, struggling to consistently see through the blocker...quick reactor, but needs to better anticipate pre-snap...hand technique and contact balance needs improved as a blitzer with below average production (1.5 career sacks)...athletic in coverage, but ball awareness is a question mark...was never an All-Conference player...some past injury issues, missing the second half of his freshman season with a broken right ankle (Oct. 2012) and one game as a junior (Sept. 2014) with a shoulder stinger – also missed most of his senior season in high school with a torn ACL (Sept. 2011).SUMMARY: Growing up in Nick Saban’s backyard, Alexander had interest in staying home, but Alabama wanted him to grayshirt after his ACL injury as a senior, pushing him to LSU where he thrived under John Chavis’ tutelage. He matured quickly once he arrived in Baton Rouge and developed into an impact player, starting 23 games the past three seasons and spending time at all three linebacker spots. Alexander moved to the weakside in 2014 where he was able to attack, attack and attack, but he needs to add a dash of patience in his play style – wouldn’t have guessed he led the team in tackles based on film because he gives up his body so often attacking downhill. Although his awareness is raw and he’s not yet the sum of his parts, Alexander is rangy and explosive with starting potential as a run-and-chase linebacker on the outside in a 4-3 scheme – should contribute on special teams from day one.
