Vadal Alexander
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vadal Alexander
| image = Vadal Alexander (52735689305) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Alexander with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Guard
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1994|3|23|mf=y}}
| birth_place = New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 325
| high_school = Buford (Buford, Georgia)
| college = LSU (2012–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 234
| pastteams =
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Pittsburgh Maulers ({{USFL Year|2022}})
- St. Louis Battlehawks ({{XFL Year|2023}}–{{UFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Second-team All-American (2015)
- First-team All-SEC (2015)
- Second-team All-SEC (2014)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 24
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 9
| pfr = AlexVa00
}}
Vadal Alexander (born March 23, 1994) is an American football guard who is a free agent. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. Alexander played college football at LSU for four years, but all those wins were vacated after he was determined to be ineligible because his father received embezzled funds from a booster.
Early years
A native of Buford, Georgia, Alexander attended Buford High School, where he was a two-time Georgia AA First Team All-State offensive lineman as a junior and senior. In his senior season, the Buford Wolves went 14–1 and finished as GHSA Class AA runner-up, being upset in the state final by Calhoun.{{Cite web |last=Brigman |first=Brandon |date=December 9, 2011 |title=Calhoun stuns Buford to win state title |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/prep/calhoun-stuns-buford-to-win-state-title/article_2a64cdbc-bdf7-5764-8270-1c637fef0b86.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}} After his senior season, Alexander participated in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Alexander was ranked as the No. 11 offensive guard prospect in the class of 2012.{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2012 |title=Rivals.com offensive guards 2012 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2891/0 |website=Rivals}} Alexander chose Louisiana State over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina.
College career
In his true freshman year at Louisiana State, Alexander played in 13 games. After an early season injury to starting left tackle Chris Faulk,{{Cite web |last=Rosetta |first=Randy |date=2012-09-07 |title=Shuffled deck: LSU will have to adjust the o-line with LT Chris Faulk likely done for the season |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/shuffled-deck-lsu-will-have-to-adjust-the-o-line-with-lt-chris-faulk-likely/article_d630e8ea-799a-5cfb-9d67-1c93c371eb27.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The Advocate |language=en}} Alexander moved into the starting line-up, playing every offensive snap of the final nine games at right tackle. He earned Freshman All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors by the league's coaches, and was named second team Freshman All-America by Scout.com.{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2012 |title=2012 Freshman All-American Team |url=http://www.scout.com/college/football/story/1247181-2012-freshman-all-american-team |website=Scout.com}} For his sophomore season, he replaced La'el Collins at left guard, who was moved over to left tackle. Alexander started all 13 games, and led the Tigers with 71 knockdowns on the season. In the Outback Bowl, he was on the field for 71 offensive plays and was credited with a career-high 13 knockdowns.
As a junior, Alexander remained a mainstay at left guard next to Collins as left tackle, giving LSU one of the most dominating guard-tackle combinations in college football. Running behind Collins and Alexander, freshman running back Leonard Fournette registered 1,034 rushing yards on the season. After LSU's 30–27 win over Florida, Alexander earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2014 |title=LSU guard Vadal Alexander named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week |work=Times-Picayune |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2014/10/lsu_guard_vadal_alexander_name.html}} Alexander's streak of 32 straight starts snapped, however, when he missed the Arkansas game in week 11 because of a hand injury.{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2014 |title=LSU LG Vadal Alexander out for Arkansas game with hand injury |work=Times-Picayune |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2014/11/lsu_lg_vadal_alexander_out_for.html}} Forgoing the option to enter the 2015 NFL draft, Alexander returned to LSU and was named Preseason First Team All-SEC.{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2015 |title=Fournette, Alexander, Mills land on first team preseason All-SEC |work=The Advocate |url=http://blogs.theadvocate.com/tigertracks/fournette-alexander-mills-land-on-first-team-preseason-all-sec/ |access-date=September 13, 2015 |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145347/http://blogs.theadvocate.com/tigertracks/fournette-alexander-mills-land-on-first-team-preseason-all-sec/ |url-status=dead }} He was moved to right tackle, as previous right tackle Jerald Hawkins had to replace Collins on the left side.{{Cite news |last=Kleinpeter |first=Jim |date=March 12, 2015 |title=LSU offensive tackles Jerald Hawkins, Vadal Alexander slide naturally into new roles |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/03/lsu_football_jerald_hawkins_va.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=Times-Picayune}}
It was reported in June 2019 that Alexander's father, James, received approximately $180,000 from John Paul Funes, an LSU booster convicted in federal court of wire fraud and money laundering after embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer, Our Lady of the Lake hospitals.{{cite news |title=Report: Father of former LSU football player Vadal Alexander got 6-figure payout from John Paul Funes |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/report-father-of-former-lsu-football-player-vadal-alexander-got-6-figure-payout-from-john/article_092a1172-939d-11e9-bacb-379d55b4c486.html |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=The Advocate |date=June 20, 2019 |language=en}} As a result, LSU vacated all 37 wins from when Alexander was on the team, the most by any school.{{Cite web |last=Huang |first=Christina |date=2023-06-22 |title=LSU football vacates all wins from 2012-2015, Les Miles now ineligible for CFB Hall of Fame |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-football-vacates-all-wins-from-2012-2015-les-miles-now-ineligible-for-cfb-hall-of-fame-225858167.html?guccounter=1 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}
Professional career
= Pre-draft =
Prior to his senior year, Alexander was considered one of the top senior prospects for the 2016 NFL draft.{{cite web | last=Reuter | first=Chad | title=College football's top senior prospects for 2016 NFL Draft | website=NFL.com | date=2015-06-10 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/college-football-s-top-senior-prospects-for-2016-nfl-draft-0ap3000000496303 | access-date=2024-12-31}} Alexander was invited to and played in the Senior Bowl in January 2016. Coming out of college, he was ranked as the second best offensive guard and projected to be selected in the second or third round.{{Cite web |title=why Vadal Alexander hurt his draft stock |url=https://ninernoise.com/2016/02/27/2016-nfl-scouting-combine-why-vadal-alexander-hurt-his-draft-stock/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=ninernoise.com |date=February 27, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220204813/https://ninernoise.com/2016/02/27/2016-nfl-scouting-combine-why-vadal-alexander-hurt-his-draft-stock/ |url-status=dead }} After the NFL Combine, Alexander was projected by the majority of analysts to be selected in the third or fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and was ranked the seventh best offensive guard out of the 203 available by NFLDraftScout.com.{{Cite web |title=Vadal Alexander, DS #7 OG, LSU: 2016 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=121818&draftyear=2016&genpos=OG |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=nfdraftscout.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907064751/https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=121818&draftyear=2016&genpos=OG | archive-date=September 7, 2015 }}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 1/4
| weight = 326
| dash = 5.57
| ten split = 1.81
| twenty split = 3.21
| shuttle = 4.90
| cone drill = 8.04
| vertical = 24
| broad ft = 7
| broad in = 11
| bench = 25
| arm span = 35 1/4
| hand span = 10 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vadal-alexander?id=2555146 |title = Vadal Alexander Stats Combine Profile |website = NFL.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170714141725/https://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vadal-alexander?id=2555146 |archive-date = July 14, 2017 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/vadal-alexander/3200414c-4564-7460-5fc9-5db2be766768 |title=Vadal Alexander Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 23, 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=121818&DraftYear=2016 |title=Vadal Alexander College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 23, 2025}}
}}
= Oakland Raiders =
Alexander was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round, 234th overall, in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Many analysts were surprised by his drastic fall in the draft, as the majority of them had him projected as a second or third round selection. They said the steep fall in his draft stock likely came from not testing well at the combine and being seen as a prospect who better shows his talents in games. Scouts and teams also had concerns about his weight and conditioning.{{Cite web |last=Glenn Guilbeau |date=May 3, 2016 |title=Why did two LSU prospects fall so far in the draft |url=http://www.wwltv.com/mb/sports/ncaa/lsu/why-did-two-lsu-prospects-fall-so-far-in-draft/167035108 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=wwltv.com |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221165154/http://www.wwltv.com/mb/sports/ncaa/lsu/why-did-two-lsu-prospects-fall-so-far-in-draft/167035108 |url-status=dead }} On May 9, 2016, the Raiders signed him to a four-year, $2.41 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $76,846.{{Cite web |title=Sportrac.com: Vadal Alexander contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/oakland-raiders/vadal-alexander-19188/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=sportrac.com}}
He started his rookie season as the backup right guard to veteran Gabe Jackson. Alexander made his regular season debut during the second game of the season in a loss against the Atlanta Falcons. On October 2, 2016, he made his first career start during a 28–27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens after starting right tackle Austin Howard was unable to play due to an ankle injury. Howard's backup. Menelik Watson, was unable to play after he suffered an hamstring injury and the Raider's third backup right tackle option, Matt McCants, was down with a knee injury. Alexander was called for three holding penalties and a false start.{{Cite web |last=Jimmy Durkin |date=October 2, 2016 |title=Raider's down three offensive lineman, Vadal Alexander to make first start |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/02/raiders-down-three-offensive-linemen-vadal-alexander-to-make-first-start/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=Mercurynews.com}} He also started at right tackle the following game, for a Raider's win 34–31 over the San Diego Chargers.{{Cite web |last=Jerry McDonald |date=October 5, 2016 |title=Raider's T Vadal Alexander holds up in starting role |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/05/raiders-t-vadal-alexander-holds-up-in-starting-role/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=Mercurynews.com}}
On December 4, 2016, Alexander started the game against the Buffalo Bills at tight end. He was used as an extra blocker on the opening drive, with the Raider's defeating the Bills 38–24. The next game, he had his first official career start at right guard against the Kansas City Chiefs after starting right guard Kelechi Osemele was unable to play due to an illness that was later verified to be kidney stones.{{Cite web |last=Austin Gayle |date=December 8, 2016 |title=Raider's rookie, Vadal Alexander, will start for Osemele |url=http://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2016/12/08/meet-raiders-rookie-vadal-alexander-who-will-start-for-osemeles/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=raiderswire.com}} After having trouble with the Chief's defense during the first three snaps, head coach Jack Del Rio replaced him with veteran Jon Feliciano. They later rotated at right guard throughout the 13–21 loss to Kansas City.{{Cite web |last=Will Reeves |date=December 8, 2016 |title=Raiders' Jon Feliciano quickly replaces Vadal Alexander at G |url=http://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2016/12/08/raiders-jon-feliciano-quickly-replaces-vadal-alexander-at-g-looks-strong/ |access-date=December 14, 2016 |website=raiderswire.com}}
On May 1, 2018, Alexander was suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.{{Cite web |last=Alper, Josh |date=May 1, 2018 |title=Vadal Alexander suspended four games for PED violation |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/01/vadal-alexander-suspended-four-games-for-ped-violation/ |website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com}} He was waived by the Raiders on July 31, 2018, after failing to report to training camp.{{Cite news |title=Oakland Raiders waive OL Vadal Alexander |work=The San Francisco Examiner |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/oakland-raiders-waive-ol-vadal-alexander/ |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801023147/http://www.sfexaminer.com/oakland-raiders-waive-ol-vadal-alexander/ |url-status=dead }}
=Pittsburgh Maulers=
Alexander was drafted by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 22nd round of the 2022 USFL draft.{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Our first Guard selection, welcome Vadal Alexander! #DropTheHammer |number=1496539326477479936 |date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022}} He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on May 6 with an arthritis flare-up.{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Transferred to inactive roster |number=1522471243181543425 |date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022}}{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Vadal Alexander, OL: Out (Arthritis Flareup) |number=1522473151929536512 |date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022}} He was moved back to the active roster on May 14.{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Roster Updates |number=1525587403934773251 |date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2022}} He was transferred to the inactive roster again on May 20,{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Transferred to inactive roster |number=1527846325487693830 |date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=May 24, 2022}} but moved back to the active roster the next day.{{cite tweet |user=USFLMaulers |title=Roster Updates |number=1528051852280930304 |date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=May 24, 2022}} He became a free agent when his contract expired on December 31, 2022.
= St. Louis Battlehawks =
On January 1, 2023, Alexander was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in the eighth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.{{Cite web |title=Supplemental Draft Picks |url=https://www.xfl.com/supplemental-draft-2023 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} He re-signed with the team on January 23, 2024.{{cite news |title=The UFL Agrees to Terms with 20 Players |url=https://uflboard.com/news/the-ufl-agrees-to-terms-with-20-players/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 24, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vadal-alexander?id=2555146 NFL Combine profile]
- [http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205372025 LSU Tigers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102233446/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205372025 |date=November 2, 2015 }}
{{Raiders2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Vadal}}
Category:Sportspeople from Buford, Georgia
Category:Players of American football from Gwinnett County, Georgia
Category:American football offensive linemen
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Pittsburgh Maulers (2022) players