Kwon Alexander

Coming off a junior year in which he recorded 144 tackles and was named a finalist for the high school Butkus Award, Alexander ranked as one of the elite prep linebackers in the country. He tore his ACL early in his senior season and saw some suitors - including his home-state Alabama - lighten their recruiting. Alexander ultimately signed with LSU and quickly proved over the injury, playing in seven games and starting two as a true freshman before suffering a broken ankle. Alexander recorded only 11 tackles in 2012 but showed a knack for big plays, recovering two fumbles, and forcing another. He played in all 13 games as a sophomore, starting nine times at strongside linebacker, recording 65 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. Alexander enjoyed a true breakout in 2014, leading the Tigers with 90 stops, including 7.5 tackles for loss and another two forced fumbles, earning Second Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. Scouts can check a lot of boxed with Alexander. He possesses good overall athleticism, including terrific closing speed and explosive hands to shed blocks and knock the ball free. Alexander is sometimes too quick and aggressive for his own good, however. With a little better discipline, Alexander projects as a starting outside linebacker in a 4-3.

strengths

Alexander sports a tapered, athletic build with room for additional muscle mass. He has very light feet, which helps him turn quickly and accelerate. He is an aggressive, tenacious defender that seems to enjoy the physicality of the game. He locates the football quickly and makes a bee-line for it, showing a violent shove and good lateral agility to slip past would-be blockers along the way. He closes emphatically, delivering violent hits often and showing good hand-eye coordination and savvy to rip at the ball when runners are vulnerable. In coverage, Alexander shows good agility and recognition of passing angles, working to remain between his responsibility and the quarterback.

weaknesses

Alexander's highly aggressive nature makes him vulnerable to surrendering big plays. Rather than waiting for ball-carriers to commit, he attacks gaps, leaving potential cutback lanes for savvy runners to exploit. Alexander is generally a reliable tackler, but he'll lunge occasionally, as well, relying on his stopping power to knock the back down, rather than wrapping fully. Loses his balance, finding himself on the ground too often. To Alexander's credit, he isn't there for long and doesn't give up on the play.

An impact player on the defensive side of the ball, he missed most of his 2011 senior campaign with a knee injury after posting 144 tackles, 17 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 2010

A participant in the Under Armour All-American Game (Black Team)

Chosen as a finalist for the High School Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker

Named to the 2011 ESPN All-Alabama Football Team

Named to the Class 6A All-State Football Team Honorable Mention

Ranked No. 19 in the 2012 Scout.com Final Southeast Top 150

Ranked No. 45 in the Press-Register Super Southeast 120

Ranked No. 29 in the 2012 ESPNU 150

Listed in MaxPreps 2012 Top 100

A four-star prospect according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com, and Scout.com

Rated as Alabama's No. 3 prospect by ESPN.com, No. 11 by Rivals, and No. 6 by 247sports.com

Nationally, ESPN.com and Scout.com rate him as the No. 3 linebacker, 247sports.com rates him as the nation's No. 9 linebacker, while Rivals.com rates him at No. 20 at that position nationally

Coached by John Grass.

Parents are Peaches and Broderick Taylor

Born Aug. 3, 1994.