Maurice Alexander (wide receiver)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{other people|Maurice Alexander}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Maurice Alexander
| image =
| currentteam = Chicago Bears
| number = 13
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|1|10}}
| birth_place = Florida City, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 174
| high_school = Booker T. Washington
(Miami, Florida)
| college = FIU (2015–2019)
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Stars ({{USFL Year|2022}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2022|2024}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- All-USFL (2022){{efn|Selected as a kickoff returner}}
- First-team All-C-USA (2018)
| pfr = AlexMa02
| statweek = 18
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 7
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
}}
Maurice Alexander Jr. (born January 10, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected with the eighth pick in the 17th round (No. 139 overall) of the 2022 USFL draft.{{Cite web |title=USFL DRAFT 2022: EVERY PICK OF EVERY ROUND FOR EVERY TEAM |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-2022-every-pick |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.foxsports.com |language=en}} He played college football for the FIU Panthers. After college, he went unsigned as an undrafted free agent in the 2020 NFL draft.
Early life
As a junior, Alexander threw for 2,111 yards and 26 touchdowns on his way to earning Second-team All-Miami Dade County selection, as well as being named 2014 Team MVP for Booker T. Washington Tornadoes.{{Cite web |title=Maurice Alexander |url=https://fiusports.com/sports/football/roster/maurice-alexander/7206 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=fiusports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Wildcat Nation |url=https://www.btwfootball.org |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=btwfootball.org |language=en}}
As a senior, he guided the Tornadoes to a perfect 15–0 season, throwing for 3,060 yards and 32 touchdowns, rushing for 466 yards seven touchdowns. This culminated with a state championship, and 34–28 victory in the 2015 Burger King State Champions Bowl Series against Bingham Miners, with Alexander rushing for the winning touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Halley |first=Jim |date=December 28, 2014 |title=Booker T. Washington stays perfect with OT thriller in Burger King State Champions Bowl Series |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2014/game-three-of-burger-king-state-champions-bowl-series |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports |language=en-US}} He was named 2015 Dade County Player of the Year, First-team All-Date County, Class 4A First-team All-State and Booker T. Washington Offensive MVP.
College career
Alexander was recruited to Florida International University as a dual-threat player.{{Cite web |title=Maurice Alexander |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Alexander-29352/high-school-62595 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=247sports.com |language=en}} After redshirting the 2015 season, Alexander went on to appear in eight games (starting four) as a redshirt freshman. He was primarily a backup to quarterback Alex McGough with his gametime coming in relief of McGough. He finished the 2016 season with 613 passing yards and two touchdowns, 109 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
In the 2017 season Alexander played in eight games for the Panthers. He filled in, in the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl when McGough went down with a fractured collarbone. FIU went on to lose the game 28–3 with Alexander completing 16-of-33 passes for 162 yards being intercepted twice.{{Cite web |last=Goodall |first=Fred |date=December 22, 2017 |title=Nutile leads Temple over FIU 28-3 in Gasparilla Bowl |url=https://apnews.com/article/cf1667f95a9142a99cbd2088fa253d36 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}
At the beginning of his redshirt junior year, Alexander made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver.{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Eric C. |date=March 30, 2020 |title=FIU Football: How These NFL Hopefuls Are Preparing Without a Pro Day |url=https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2020/3/30/21192612/fiu-football-nfl-hopefuls-without-a-pro-day-maurice-alexander-ike-brown-olin-cushion-anthony-jones |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=Underdog Dynasty |language=en}} He featured in 13 games (starting nine) finishing first on the team in receptions (40), second in receiving touchdowns (5) and third in receiving yards (474). Against UMass, Alexander became the first FIU Panther in school history to score a receiving and punt return touchdown in the same game. He ended the season being named First-team All-Conference USA as a punt returner.{{Cite web |title=FB: 2018 All-Conference Teams |url=https://conferenceusa.com/news/2018/12/4/football-fb-2018-all-conferencce-teams.aspx |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.conferenceusa.com |language=en}}
Alexander's 2019 season ended prematurely after 9 games, suffering a season ending injury against Old Dominion. He once again had a game to remember against UMass, racking up 140 yards in punt returns including a 90-yard touchdown return, the longest of the season in the FBS. His best performance came at Middle Tennessee catching five passes for 87 yards, scoring his only receiving touchdown of the year.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Season ! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="6"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Kick returns ! colspan="4"| Punt returns | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yards | TD | Int | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 || FIU
| colspan="23"| Redshirted the 2015 season | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 || FIU
| 8 || 51 || 87 || 58.6 || 613 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 55 || 109 || 2.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 || FIU
| 8 || 18 || 39 || 46.2 || 174 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 22 || 7 || 0.3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 || FIU
| 13 || 2 || 2 || 100.0 || 40 || 0 || 0 || 40 || 474 || 11.9 || 5 || 17 || 115 || 6.8 || 2 || 1 || 16 || 16.0 || 0 || 15 || 219 || 14.6 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 || FIU
| 9 || 1 || 2 || 50.0 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 25 || 298 || 11.9 || 1 || 9 || 42 || 4.7 || 0 || 1 || 18 || 18.0 || 0 || 10 || 187 || 18.7 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career || 38 || 72 || 130 || 55.4 || 849 || 2 || 8 || 65 || 772 || 11.9 || 6 || 103 || 273 || 2.7 || 3 || 2 || 34 || 17.0 || 0 || 25 || 406 || 16.2 || 2 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/4
| weight = 180
| note = Values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Draft Scout Maurice Alexander College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1018037&DraftYear=2020 |access-date=April 9, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Philadelphia Stars=
On February 23, 2022, Alexander was selected by Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL) on Day 2 of the 2022 USFL draft. Wide receivers became eligible for selection between rounds 13–17 and again in the supplemental draft. Alexander was the penultimate wide receiver selected in the draft proper, picked in round 17, 139th overall.{{Cite web |title=USFL DRAFT 2022: EVERY PICK OF EVERY ROUND FOR EVERY TEAM |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-2022-every-pick |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.foxsports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=USFL DRAFT DETAILS: TIME, DRAFT ORDER, SELECTION PROCESS |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-details-date-time-draft-order-selection-process |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.foxsports.com |language=en}}
Alexander was named in the Week 2 All-USFL Team. He finished the game against Pittsburgh Maulers with 186 all-purpose yards, 87 receiving yards from 8 receptions and 2 receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=USFL NEWSWeek 2 All-USFL Team |url=https://usflnewshub.com/usfl-news/week-2-all-usfl-team |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.udflnewshub |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=APRIL 23: PITTSBURGH MAULERS @ PHILADELPHIA STARS RECAP |url=https://www.theusfl.com/week-2-pittsburgh-maulers-vs-philadelphia-stars-apr-23-2022-game-boxscore-6 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=www.theusfl.com |language=en}} Despite this, he has been used predominantly as a return specialist, leading the team in both kick and punt return yards.
=Detroit Lions=
Alexander signed with the Detroit Lions on August 3, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Risdon |first=Jeff |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Lions sign WR Maurice Alexander from the USFL |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/03/lions-sign-maurice-alexander-usfl-greg-bell/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=USAToday.com |language=en}} He was waived on August 30, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x0035 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102104838/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x0035 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=September 3, 2022 |website=DetroitLions.com}}{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x6174 |website=DetroitLions.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 8, 2022.{{Cite tweet |number=1578839234127200257 |user=Lions |title=#Lions announce roster moves: Signed WR Maurice Alexander and CB AJ Parker to the Active Roster from the Practice Squad Elevated DB Saivion Smith and K Michael Badgley to the Active/Inactive List from the Practice Squad Placed WR Quintez Cephus on the Reserve/Injured List}} Alexander was waived two days later.{{Cite tweet |number=1579562869934342144 |user=Lions |title=#Lions waive WR Maurice Alexander}} He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 12,{{Cite tweet |number=1580254672434012160 |user=Lions |title=#Lions have signed WR Maurice Alexander to the Practice Squad.}} and was promoted back to the active roster on October 22.{{Cite web |last=Reisman |first=Jeremy |date=October 22, 2022 |title=Detroit Lions activate Jerry Jacobs, Josh Paschal from PUP, make 3 practice squad moves |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/10/22/23417988/detroit-lions-activate-jerry-jacobs-josh-paschal-practice-squad-moves-kicker-michael-badgley |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=Pride of Detroit |publisher=SB Nation}} Alexander was waived on October 24.{{Cite tweet |number=1584641521201991680 |user=Lions |title=#Lions have waived WR Maurice Alexander.}} He was re-signed to the practice squad two days later.{{Cite tweet |number=1585301290175070210 |user=Lions |title=#Lions have re-signed WR Maurice Alexander to the Practice Squad.}} Alexander signed a reserve/future contract with Detroit on January 9, 2023.
On August 29, 2023, Alexander was waived by the Lions and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x4161 |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=DetroitLions.com}}{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Lions announce roster moves |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x0612 |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=DetroitLions.com}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 30, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Schlitt |first=Erik |date=2024-01-30 |title=Update: Detroit Lions sign 12 players to futures contracts |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/30/24056125/detroit-lions-sign-11-players-futures-contracts-2024-offseason |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Pride Of Detroit |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}
On August 27, 2024, Alexander was waived by the Lions.{{cite web|title=Lions announce roster moves|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-announce-roster-moves-nfl-53-man|website=DetroitLions.com|date=August 27, 2024}} He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 13. He was promoted to the active roster on November 27.{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions sign 2 practice squad players to 53-man roster, elevate an OT|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/11/27/24307709/detroit-lions-sign-2-practice-squad-players-to-53-man-roster-elevate-an-ot|work=Pride of Detroit|date=November 27, 2024}} Alexander was waived on November 30 and re-signed to the practice squad four days later.{{cite web|title=Lions waive WR, place two defenders on I.R. and sign 3 in busy day of roster moves|url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/30/lions-roster-moves-injuries-myles-adams-kwon-maurice-alexander-jonah-williams-rodrigo-wingo/|work=Lions Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=November 30, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Maurice Alexander: Back with Lions' practice squad |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/maurice-alexander-back-with-lions-practice-squad/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=4 December 2024}}
=Chicago Bears=
On January 31, 2025, Alexander signed with the Chicago Bears.{{cite web|title=Report: Bears sign WR Maurice Alexander to reserve/future deal|url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2025/01/31/bears-sign-maurice-alexander-to-reserve-future-deal/78100205007/|work=Bears Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 31, 2025}}
=Professional statistics=
;Regular season
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Team ! colspan="2" | Games ! colspan="5" | Receiving ! colspan="5" | Kick return ! colspan="5" | Punt return | ||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | PHI
| 10 || 6 || 20 || 234 || 11.7 || 32 || 2 || 25 || 787 || 31.5 || 66 || 0 || 13 || 164 || 12.6 || 30 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Career || 10 || 6 || 20 || 234 || 11.7 || 32 || 2 || 25 || 787 || 31.5 || 66 || 0 || 13 || 164 || 12.6 || 30 || 0 |
;Postseason
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Team ! colspan="2" | Games ! colspan="5" | Receiving ! colspan="5" | Kick return ! colspan="5" | Punt return | ||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | PHI
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 77 || 25.7 || 37 || 0 || 1 || 87 || 87.0 || 87 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Career || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || |
Personal life
Alexander is the son of Maurice Alexander Sr. and Kevia Morrison. He has one sibling, Maurkevia.
Alexander has three cousins who played American football to a collegiate level. Shaun and Nate Terry played at West Virginia while James Terry played at Kansas State.
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|yahoo=34712}}
- [https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/maurice-alexander/ Chicago Bears bio]
- [https://fiusports.com/sports/football/roster/maurice-alexander/7206 FIU Panthers bio]
- [https://www.foxsports.com/usfl/maurice-alexander-player-bio Fox Sports player bio]
- [https://twitter.com/_hardtime3 Twitter]
{{FIU Panthers quarterback navbox}}
{{Chicago Bears roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Maurice}}
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Philadelphia Stars (2022) players
Category:Players of American football from Miami-Dade County, Florida
Category:FIU Panthers football players
Category:Booker T. Washington Senior High School (Miami, Florida) alumni
Category:American football wide receivers