For the past two years, Kwon Alexander seemed to be taking two steps forward and one step back.
Plagued by injuries during his senior year of high school and freshman year at LSU, the sophomore linebacker found it difficult to get into a rhythm and showcase his talents. But Alexander has stayed healthy in 2013, and his fight to make an impression in the revolving door of Tiger linebackers has proven fruitful.
Though Alexander started in only three of LSU’s six games this season, he is the Tigers’ fourth-leading tackler with 28 stops — three of them for a loss of yardage — while breaking up three passes.
“My mindset [coming off the bench] was to keep grinding and get a spot just to compete,” Alexander said. “I had to show the coaches that I know my stuff and that I know how to play ball.”
During his junior season at Oxford High School in Oxford, Ala., Alexander amassed 144 tackles, 17 sacks and six forced fumbles. He entered his senior year as a four-star prospect, but a knee injury kept him out of play for most of the season.
Despite the injury in his senior season, he was invited to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game. When the time came to pick a college, Alexander opted to leave his home state, spurning Auburn and Alabama in favor of LSU.
“When I came up here, I liked the atmosphere and the people that were around me,” Alexander said. “I especially liked the scheme of [defensive coordinator John] Chavis’ defense.”
Alexander arrived in Baton Rouge in 2012, poised for ample playing time. He made his collegiate debut in the first game of the season against North Texas and eventually worked his way into the starting lineup against Towson in week five.
Alexander impressed his coaches enough to start the following week at Florida. He rose to the occasion, picking up two tackles and a fumble recovery before suffering a broken ankle in the third quarter of LSU’s 14-6 loss.
“[The injury] kind of bummed me out a little bit because I felt like I was getting on and starting to play my game and get used to it,” Alexander said. “But it just drove me to play better this year.”
Doctors initially told Alexander he would miss the remainder of 2012, but the sophomore linebacker returned to practice in November and managed to see the field during LSU’s 25-24 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Alexander began 2013 as a starter in the Tigers’ 37-27 victory against TCU, but he played the next three contests as a backup behind senior linebacker Tahj Jones. Following his career-high 10-tackle performance against Auburn on Sept. 21, Alexander returned to the starting lineup against Georgia and Mississippi State.
Alexander is a significant piece in the LSU defensive scheme, and his presence is felt as soon as he steps on the field. Junior defensive tackle Ego Ferguson said Alexander’s energy makes a mark any time he gets in the game.
“Kwon is playing with a fire behind him,” said senior linebacker Lamin Barrow, who called Alexander more of a little brother than a teammate. “He’s a very determined kid.”
Since his ankle injury last season, Alexander has directed himself nowhere but forward. If the sophomore linebacker can avoid another backward step, he may soon be out of sight.
“I think [Alexander] will be great,” said junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. “I think he’ll be a future first-rounder if he puts his mind to it because he can move. He’s a big, physical guy. His future is very bright.”