Alex Anzalone
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Alex Anzalone
| image = Alex Anzalone (52379074823) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Anzalone with the Detroit Lions in 2022
| current_team = Detroit Lions
| number = 34
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|22}}
| birth_place = Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 238
| high_school = Wyomissing Area
| college = Florida (2013–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 76
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2017|2020}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek = 18
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 518
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 10.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 4
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 3
| statlabel6 = Pass deflections
| statvalue6 = 27
| pfr = AnzaAl00
}}
Alex Anzalone ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|n|z|ə|ˈ|l|oʊ|n|i}} {{respell|an|zə|LOW|nee}}, born September 22, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators. Anzalone was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL draft.
College career
Anzalone originally committed to Ohio State and Notre Dame but chose to play college football at University of Florida from 2013 to 2016.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone – Football |url=https://floridagators.com/sports/football/roster/alex-anzalone/6164 |website=Florida Gators}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gatorcountry.com/florida-gators-football/2017-nfl-draft-alex-anzalone-drafted/ |title=2017 NFL Draft: Alex Anzalone drafted by Saints |date=April 28, 2017 |last=Carlton |first=Bailiegh |website=Gator Country |access-date=December 2, 2024}}
During the four-year span, he missed 20 games due to injuries with his only full season being the 2014 season as the backup linebacker. He played ten games in 2013, two games in 2015, and seven games in 2016.{{cite web | last=Lieser | first=Jason | title=2017 NFL Draft: Florida Gators LB Alex Anzalone an option for Dolphins | website=Palm Beach Post | date=February 3, 2017 | url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/02/03/2017-nfl-draft-florida-gators/7144423007/ | access-date=October 22, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Solomon | first=Jon | title=Reintroducing five-star Alex Anzalone, Florida's tenacious defensive supernova | website=CBSSports.com | date=September 20, 2016 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/reintroducing-five-star-alex-anzalone-floridas-tenacoius-defensive-supernova/ | access-date=October 19, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Erickson | first=Joel | title=Florida's Alex Anzalone has the tools to fit NFL's new linebacker template if he can stay healthy | website=The Advocate | date=February 22, 2017 | url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_6655be9c-f925-11e6-9084-c30ce9594c8f.html | access-date=October 19, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Aschoff | first=Edward | title=Florida's Alex Anzalone is back and ready to show who he really is in 2016 | website=ESPN.com | date=August 24, 2016 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/119504/floridas-alex-anzalone-is-back-and-ready-to-show-who-he-really-is-in-2016 | access-date=October 22, 2024}} He forewent his final year of college eligibility to enter the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/florida-lb-alex-anzalone-leaving-early-for-nfl-draft |title=Florida LB Alex Anzalone leaving early for NFL draft |website=Fox Sports |date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=December 2, 2024}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 7/8
| weight = 241
| dash = 4.62
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.69
| shuttle = 4.25
| cone drill = 6.88
| vertical = 30½
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 7
| bench = 16
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Profile: Alex Anzalone |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/alex-anzalone?id=2558163 |access-date=April 14, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}
}}
=New Orleans Saints=
The New Orleans Saints selected Anzalone in the third round (76th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2017 |title=New Orleans Saints pick LB Alex Anzalone in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft |url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-pick-LB-Alex-Anzalone-in-the-third-round-of-the-2017-NFL-Draft/9bc2018b-54dc-4ce7-9600-0e8730119269 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was the tenth linebacker selected in 2017.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On June 2, 2017, the Saints signed Anzalone to a four-year, $3.46 million contract that included a signing bonus of $864,592.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Alex Anzalone contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/alex-anzalone-21818/ |access-date=April 14, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}
Anzalone earned a starting outside linebacker job for the Saints as a rookie, starting all four games in which he played. In Week 4 against the Dolphins, he suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Erickson |first=Joel A. |date=October 4, 2017 |title=New Orleans Saints lose rookie linebacker Alex Anzalone to injured reserve |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_2299b6d4-a94e-11e7-9461-8f43021e2a94.html |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=TheAdvocate.com}}
He played in all 16 games, starting seven, in the 2018 season. He finished with two sacks, 59 total tackles (45 solo), one interception, two passes defended, and three forced fumbles.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Anzalone was placed on injured reserve on September 16, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Saints place Alex Anzalone on injured reserve |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/saints-place-alex-anzalone-on-injured-reserve-2 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} In the 2019 season, he appeared in two games and had one sack.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started nine. He finished with 41 total tackles (22 solo).{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Detroit Lions=
Anzalone signed with the Detroit Lions on March 24, 2021.{{Cite news |date=March 24, 2021 |title=Lions sign LB Alex Anzalone and WR Damion Ratley |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-lb-alex-anzalone-and-wr-damion-ratley |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=DetroitLions.com}} He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker. He started the first 14 games before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 20.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Lions lose LB Alex Anzalone for the season with shoulder injury |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/12/20/detroit-lions-lose-alex-anzalone-season-shoulder-injury/8972907002/ |website=DetroitNews.com}} In the 2021 season, he appeared in and started 14 games. He finished with one sack, 78 total tackles (49 solo), one interception, and seven passes defended.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In March 2022, Anzalone re-signed with the Lions.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Lions re-sign LB Alex Anzalone, S Jalen Elliott, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton and S C.J. Moore |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-re-sign-lb-alex-anzalone-s-jalen-elliott-lb-shaun-dion-hamilton-and-s-c-j- |website=DetroitLions.com}} In the 2022 season, he started in all 17 games. He finished with 1.5 sacks, 125 total tackles (77 solo), one interception, six passes defended, and one fumble recovery.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On March 13, 2023, Anzalone signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Lions.{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Report: Alex Anzalone agrees to three-year, $18.75 million deal to return to Lions |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/13/alex-anzalone-agrees-to-three-year-18-75-million-deal-to-return-to-lions/amp/ |website=NBCSports.com |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314051621/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/13/alex-anzalone-agrees-to-three-year-18-75-million-deal-to-return-to-lions/amp/ |url-status=dead }} In the 2023 season, Anzalone finished with three sacks, 129 total tackles (85 solo), six passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 16 games and starts.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In his third season with the Lions, Anzalone was selected as a 2024 NFL Pro Bowl alternate.{{cite web | last=Maakaron | first=John | title=Five Lions selected for Pro Bowl Games, as NFL reveals Pro Bowlers, alternates | website=The Oakland Press | date=January 4, 2024 | url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2024/01/03/five-lions-selected-for-pro-bowl-games-as-nfl-reveals-pro-bowlers-alternates/ | access-date=October 22, 2024}}
In the 2024 season Anzalone suffered a broken left forearm in the Week 11's 52-6 victory against Jacksonville Jaguars. Expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to the injury, he was placed on injured reserve on November 18 with hopes of returning in the post-season.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-put-alex-anzalone-ir-220348930.html |title=Lions put Alex Anzalone on IR, sign David Long to practice squad |date=November 18, 2024 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |website=Yahoo Sports}} Prior to the injury, Anzalone totaled 56 stops, including seven tackles for loss, and four pass deflections.{{Cite web |title=Alex Anzalone 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AnzaAl00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was activated for the regular season finale on January 4, 2025.
Personal life
Anzalone is of Italian descent, and was born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.{{cite web | last=Murphy | first=Bryan | title=Why NFL players are wearing flags on their helmets to promote 'International Diversity' during Week 7-8 games | website=Sporting News Canada | date=October 22, 2023 | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nfl/news/nfl-players-flags-helmets-international-diversity/60b97948b64e49cea5eff7f7 | access-date=October 22, 2024}} Anzalone is a Christian.{{cite web |title=LIONS LB ALEX ANZALONE ‘DRAWS CLOSER’ TO GOD AS HE BALANCES FATHERHOOD, FOOTBALL |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/lions-lb-alex-anzalone-draws-closer-to-god-amid-busy-life.html |website=Movieguide |access-date=November 22, 2024}} He is married to Lindsey Anzalone.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=30189|espn=3043107|nfl=alex-anzalone}}
- [http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6164 Florida Gators bio]
- [https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/alex-anzalone/ New Orleans Saints bio]
{{Saints2017DraftPicks}}
{{Detroit Lions roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anzalone, Alex}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Florida Gators football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:People from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
Category:Players of American football from Berks County, Pennsylvania