Darius Alexander (9) was voted the top defensive lineman for his performance in last week's Senior Bowl practices in a vote by the participating offensive lineman.
Photo by: The Senior Bowl
Former Rocket Darius Alexander Makes Big Impact at the Senior Bowl
2/2/2025 5:48:00 PM | Football
Alexander named top defensive lineman during week of practices, makes several big plays for National Team
MOBILE, Ala. - Former Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander made a big impact at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., both during last week's practices and in the Senior Bowl game at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. on Saturday.
Alexander impressed media observers and NFL Draft pundits with his performance throughout the week of practices and one-on-one drills leading up to Saturday's game. He was named the top defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl in a vote by the offensive linemen participating in the practices. He followed that with a noteworthy performance in Saturday's game, picking up one tackle for loss, another tackle for no gain and several pressures on the American Team quarterbacks. The American Team pulled out a 22-19 victory over the National Team, which featured Alexander and Rocket teammate Maxen Hook.Â
Alexander, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., earned second-team All-MAC honors at defensive tackle in 2024 after making third-team all-league in 2023. He set career highs in tackles (40) and tackles for loss (7.5) this past season and had a memorable 58-yard pick-six in Toledo's 48-46, six overtime victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. He finished his Rocket career with 127 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks. Hook was a four-time All-MAC safety, one of only three Rockets ever to achieve all-league honors four times.
Hook and Alexander are hoping to become the latest Rockets to be selected in the NFL Draft (April 24-26). A total of 10 Rockets have been drafted since 2017, including Philadelphia Eagles' cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who was selected in the first round of 2024 Draft and is a finalist for the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year honor. Like Alexander, Mitchell also had an impressive showing at last year's Senior Bowl practices, though he did not participate in the game.
The following are some noteworthy comments on social media following Alexander's showing in the Senior Bowl:
"Toledo DL Darius Alexander has been hard to handle all week… Has gotten home from several different alignments. That versatility will be huge for NFL teams."
- Ryan Roberts, NFL Draft and CFB analyst for @AToZSportsNFL
"I'm not sure how many guys have done more for their stock than Darius Alexander."
- Taylor Kyles, New England Patriots beat reporter for @PatriotsCLNS
"Wherever you have Toledo DL Darius Alexander, move him up...One of the premier G5 players in the class...One of the standouts of the week on either side of the ball."
- Ryan Fowler, NFL Analyst for @thedraftnetwork
"He's one of 10 defensive tackles who could go in the first two rounds."
- NFL Draft Files
"Darius Alexander has had a strong Senior Bowl week."
- The Draft Network
"Darius Alexander was unblockable this week."
- Joe DeLeone, NFL Draft & CFB Analyst for @atozsportsnfl
Alexander impressed media observers and NFL Draft pundits with his performance throughout the week of practices and one-on-one drills leading up to Saturday's game. He was named the top defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl in a vote by the offensive linemen participating in the practices. He followed that with a noteworthy performance in Saturday's game, picking up one tackle for loss, another tackle for no gain and several pressures on the American Team quarterbacks. The American Team pulled out a 22-19 victory over the National Team, which featured Alexander and Rocket teammate Maxen Hook.Â
Alexander, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., earned second-team All-MAC honors at defensive tackle in 2024 after making third-team all-league in 2023. He set career highs in tackles (40) and tackles for loss (7.5) this past season and had a memorable 58-yard pick-six in Toledo's 48-46, six overtime victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. He finished his Rocket career with 127 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks. Hook was a four-time All-MAC safety, one of only three Rockets ever to achieve all-league honors four times.
Hook and Alexander are hoping to become the latest Rockets to be selected in the NFL Draft (April 24-26). A total of 10 Rockets have been drafted since 2017, including Philadelphia Eagles' cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who was selected in the first round of 2024 Draft and is a finalist for the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year honor. Like Alexander, Mitchell also had an impressive showing at last year's Senior Bowl practices, though he did not participate in the game.
The following are some noteworthy comments on social media following Alexander's showing in the Senior Bowl:
"Toledo DL Darius Alexander has been hard to handle all week… Has gotten home from several different alignments. That versatility will be huge for NFL teams."
- Ryan Roberts, NFL Draft and CFB analyst for @AToZSportsNFL
"I'm not sure how many guys have done more for their stock than Darius Alexander."
- Taylor Kyles, New England Patriots beat reporter for @PatriotsCLNS
"Wherever you have Toledo DL Darius Alexander, move him up...One of the premier G5 players in the class...One of the standouts of the week on either side of the ball."
- Ryan Fowler, NFL Analyst for @thedraftnetwork
"He's one of 10 defensive tackles who could go in the first two rounds."
- NFL Draft Files
"Darius Alexander has had a strong Senior Bowl week."
- The Draft Network
"Darius Alexander was unblockable this week."
- Joe DeLeone, NFL Draft & CFB Analyst for @atozsportsnfl
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
S
/ FootballToledo Football - National Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, February 04
Toledo Football - Bacon Raton Bowl of Beans - Post Game Press Conference - 12/23/2025
Wednesday, December 24
Toledo Football - Boca Raton Bowl of Beans - Post Game Press Conference - 12/23/2025
Wednesday, December 24
Toledo Football - Bowl Game Head Coaches Press Conference - 12/19/2025
Saturday, December 20
