The defensive anchor for a stacked Rockets squad will take his talents to the Big Apple.
Darius Alexander had to wait his turn to get starting reps with the Toledo Rockets defense, sitting behind several all-MAC and/or future NFL prospects as a rotation player.
Once he got onto the field, his talent was apparent, earning spots on the all-MAC team in both seasons as a starter, missing only one game due to injury. Now, at the conclusion of a decorated college career, Alexander has heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, going 65th overall to the New York Giants.
In two years as a full-time starter, Alexander accumulated 76 total tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, an interception (resulting in a touchdown) and eight passes defensed. Over his five total years of play (he sat out 2019 due to redshirt rules), Alexander had 127 tackles, 23 TFLs, nine sacks, one interception, 13 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.
Alexander started the 2024 campaign as an intriguing depth player with projections in the mid-to-late rounds, but by January, had played himself into the Top 100 prospects thanks to his inside/outside versatility and athletic profile.
The intrigue from NFL scouts garnered Alexander an invitation to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine in February. Alexander’s practice week in Mobile was electric, making a name for himself in one-on-one drills from multiple spots and showing elite athleticism in team drills throughout the week.
The Combine, however, was Alexander’s true coming-out party, as he aced several positional drills with smooth footwork and transitions and checked in as one of the most athletically-gifted defensive linemen in the Draft, cutting a 4.95 second 40-yard dash (with a 1.71 second 10-yard split) at a listed 305 lbs.
Alexander’s Combine propelled him into potential Top 50 territory, with some projections placing him inside Round 1.
Ultimately, he was drafted at the start of the third round, but Alexander will have the ability to make an immediate impact for the Giants thanks to his innate physical talents and his ability to fit both odd and even schemes.
At the professional level, he will have to work on consistency during passing downs, as well as addressing minor pad level and footwork concerns. That said, his sheer length, physicality and speed— along with five years of experience and a nose for stopping the run— will be a value add for the Giants.
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)