Prior to the 2003 season, LSU senior linebacker Eric Alexander had never started a game, but this season Alexander been named a starter every time the Tigers have taken the field.
“Early in his career, Eric was a shy guy,” coach Nick Saban said. “He always knew what to do, but sometimes didn’t express it very well. He didn’t play with a lot of confidence. The longer he played the more productive and better a player he became.”
Alexander saw little playing time as a freshman, but was called upon to fill in for an injured LSU player against Kentucky, causing him to lose his redshirt. He said that experience taught him a lesson that has stayed with him throughout his time at LSU and helped keep him motivated to practice hard even when he was not seeing much playing time.
“The biggest lesson I learned was that you always have to be ready no matter what,” Alexander said. “Because you never know when your name is going to be called. I practiced hard and listened as if I was a starter, if you do that you’ll be ready.”
Alexander said he took pride in his special teams play because it gave him a chance to contribute.
“Whatever got me on the field that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity to play so that’s what I did.”
During high school, Alexander earned honorable mention as an All-State player in Texas at safety and running back. He rushed for 1,782 yards as a senior with 21 touchdowns. He also saw time at the quarterback position, but signed on at LSU as a defensive back. Following consultation with Saban, Alexander decided to switch positions.
“Coach Saban and I talked about it and we both agreed that I would probably have a better chance of playing if I moved to linebacker,” he said.
The Port Arthur, Texas native said it was a challenge adjusting to his role at LSU coming out of high school, where he rarely spent time on the sideline.
“Well of course it would be discouraging to any player coming out of high school who was playing probably every snap offensively and defensively then to come to college and not be able to play,” Alexander said. “But I just had to look at it as God would let me play when I was ready. Maybe I wasn’t ready my freshman through my junior years, but now He is giving me the opportunity to play and I think I’ve proved that I’m ready.”
Alexander received praise from the LSU coaching staff for his play during spring practice. But he improved his playing chances more during the summer as Alexander strived to increase his size, gaining 20 pounds. His hard work has paid dividends for the Tigers.
He ranks third on the team with 6.5 tackles for a loss and seventh for total tackles with 36 including three sacks.
“Eric is playing well,” said junior defensive end Marcus Spears. “It’s because of him. He puts in the extra effort and hard work. He flies around the ball and runs to the ball. The outcome of that is him making a lot of plays. He’s been big for us on defense.”
Alexander said he learned how to compete from former LSU linebackers Bradie James and Trev Faulk.
“Those two guys are great competitors and I did learn a lot,” he said. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That’s what they taught me.”
Alexander’s teammates said he leads by example, not by words.
“He’s one of the leaders on the team,” said junior defensive end Marquise Hill. “He doesn’t talk much. He goes out there and talks with his helmet. Doing that makes him a great player.”
Alexander said he goes out on the field and simply tries to concentrate on the task at hand.
“Basically, I just try to keep a clear mind and realize that I have a job to do, that the defense as a whole has a job to do and that is to prevent them from scoring,” he said. “If we do that we’ll give our team an opportunity to win games.”
This season has been good for Alexander and he said it will be hard when it comes to an end.
“This year has been very exciting, but it also is kind of sad because it’s my last year,” Alexander said. “I’m just glad that I got a chance to play with my teammates this year. That Arkansas game is going to be a sad day, but it will be a happy day because I’ve played a full year with my teammates.”
Alexander said he is proud of what he has learned since becoming a Tiger.
“My experience playing football here has taught me a lot,” he said. “It’s taught me the virtue of patience, stability and hard work. I’ve just grown. When I first got here I was a little boy, but through my four years I’ve matured into a man.”