Kwon Alexander Bio
Kwon Alexander is an American professional football linebacker known for his speed, tackling, and playmaking ability at the NFL level. Born on August 3, 1994, in Oxford, Alabama, he played college football for the LSU Tigers before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Across his decade-long NFL career, Alexander has built a reputation as a versatile defender, earning Pro Bowl honors and stacking up impressive production for several franchises. He currently plays for the Detroit Lions, having been signed to the team’s practice squad in late 2024.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 227 pounds, Alexander combines athleticism with experience to anchor defenses in both run support and coverage. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions. A former NFL solo tackles leader, he remains a respected veteran presence in defensive meeting rooms around the league.
Early Life and Background
Kwon Alexander was born and raised in Oxford, Alabama, a small city in the eastern part of the state known for producing strong football talent. He attended Oxford High School, where he developed into one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in the region. As a junior in 2010, Alexander posted 144 tackles, 17 sacks, and six forced fumbles, three of which he recovered, helping lead Oxford to a 12–2 record and a spot in the AHSAA Class 6A state semifinals, where they lost 32–22 to Hoover.
His senior campaign was cut short by a knee injury in 2011, but his body of work as a junior had already drawn national attention. Alexander participated in the Under Armour All-American Game, was chosen as a finalist for the High School Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker, and was named to the 2011 ESPN All-Alabama Football Team. He was also a state qualifier in track and field, posting personal-best times of 11.24 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.99 seconds in the 200-meter dash at the 2011 AHSAA 6A Section 4 meet.
Regarded as a four-star prospect by major recruiting services, Alexander was listed among the top linebackers in the 2012 class. He was ranked as Alabama’s No. 3 prospect by ESPN.com and was a Top 100 player nationally by MaxPreps. He committed to Louisiana State University, choosing the Tigers over a long list of scholarship offers to begin the next chapter of his football career.
Path to the NFL
Alexander enrolled at LSU in 2012 and wasted little time making an impact on the Tigers’ defense. As a true freshman, he appeared in seven games with two starts, recording 12 tackles. His early production earned him a larger role as a sophomore, when he started nine of 13 games and finished the season with 65 tackles. By his junior year in 2014, he had emerged as the heart of the LSU defense, leading the team with 92 tackles while adding 1.5 sacks. That season also brought him first-team All-SEC recognition, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier linebackers.
On December 31, 2014, Alexander announced his decision to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2015 NFL draft. He was one of 33 collegiate linebackers to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he impressed with his speed, finishing second among all linebackers in the 40-yard dash. He completed all required drills, posting strong results in the bench press, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. He also attended LSU’s pro day, where he performed positional drills in front of scouts and executives from all 32 NFL teams.
Entering the draft, most analysts projected Alexander as a third-round pick, with Charles Davis of the NFL Network ranking him the second-best outside linebacker prospect in the class. Ultimately, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up to select him in the fourth round, 124th overall, marking the beginning of his professional journey.
Kwon Alexander Career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015–2018)
Alexander signed a four-year, $2.75 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2015 and quickly earned the starting middle linebacker job alongside Lavonte David and Danny Lansanah. He made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Tennessee Titans and recorded his first career interception in a Week 3 loss to the Houston Texans. His first NFL sack came in Week 5 against Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite missing the final four games due to a four-game ban for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, Alexander finished his rookie year with 93 combined tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions in 12 games, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
His second season brought even more production. In 2016, Alexander ranked fourth in the NFL with 145 combined tackles, including 108 solo stops, and returned an interception for his first career touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded a career-high 21 combined tackles in a Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In 2017, he tallied 97 tackles and a career-high three interceptions despite missing time with a hamstring injury, and was later named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. A torn ACL in Week 7 of 2018 ended his Buccaneers tenure, but his three full seasons in Tampa Bay established him as one of the most productive young linebackers in football.
San Francisco 49ers (2019–2020)
On March 13, 2019, the San Francisco 49ers signed Alexander to a four-year, $54 million contract that included $25.5 million in guaranteed money. He opened the season against his former team and was ejected in the first half for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jameis Winston. He recorded his first interception as a 49er the following week against Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals, and later forced a fumble against Adrian Peterson in a Week 7 win over the Washington Redskins. A torn pectoral injury cut his regular season short, but he was designated to return from injured reserve and helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, recording a tackle and pass deflection in the 31–20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
New Orleans Saints (2020–2021)
On November 2, 2020, the 49ers traded Alexander to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a conditional draft pick and linebacker Kiko Alonso. He started the next seven games at linebacker before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 16, which sent him to injured reserve. The Saints released him in March 2021, but re-signed him to a one-year deal on August 3, 2021. A short stint on injured reserve with an elbow injury limited his availability, and he was activated in October before ultimately becoming a free agent again.
New York Jets (2022)
On August 2, 2022, the New York Jets signed Alexander to a one-year contract. He played in all 17 games that season, making 12 starts and recording 69 tackles as a reliable presence in the Jets’ defensive rotation.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2023)
Alexander signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 30, 2023, and quickly became a key contributor on defense. He delivered one of the signature moments of his season in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, intercepting Will Levis late in the game to seal a 20–16 Thursday Night Football victory. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles the following week against the Green Bay Packers, ending his Steelers tenure after only a handful of games.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
After a brief stop on the Denver Broncos practice squad in September 2024, Alexander was signed by the Detroit Lions off that practice squad on November 29, 2024. He recorded eight tackles and a forced fumble in three games and two starts with the Broncos before making the move to Detroit. The Lions released him on December 26, 2024, and re-signed him to the practice squad, giving the veteran linebacker an opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the next season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Alexander is widely regarded as a fast, instinctive linebacker who thrives in pursuit of the ball carrier. His combination of sideline-to-sideline range, tackling reliability, and coverage awareness has made him a three-down defender throughout his career. He has shown a knack for creating takeaways, with 13 forced fumbles and 9 career interceptions, and is comfortable playing both inside and on the edge. His football IQ and veteran presence have made him a trusted voice in defensive huddles, especially in passing-down situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Alexander’s career include his 2016 NFL lead in solo tackles, his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017, and his role on the 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV. He has overcome multiple season-ending injuries, including a torn ACL in 2018, a torn pectoral in 2019, and torn Achilles tendons in 2020 and 2023, while continuing to produce at a high level whenever healthy. Off the field, he has endured tremendous personal loss and channeled that grief into strong play, including an NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor in 2015 just days after his brother’s death.
Kwon Alexander Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Alexander was raised in Oxford, Alabama, where his family and community helped shape his path to the NFL. He has spoken publicly about the importance of his hometown and the values instilled in him from a young age. Throughout his career, he has credited his family for supporting him through the highs and lows of professional football, including the injuries that have tested his resilience.
Personal Life
Alexander is known to keep much of his personal life private. He is the older brother of Broderick Taylor, whose tragic loss in 2015 deeply affected him and inspired one of his most emotional on-field performances. Alexander continues to honor his brother’s memory through his play and his community work.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into 2025, Kwon Alexander remains a veteran free agent after finishing the 2024 season on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. His experience, leadership, and proven production make him an attractive option for teams seeking depth at linebacker. A return to Detroit or another opportunity with a contender would provide him a chance to compete for a meaningful role in training camp.
At 31 years old, Alexander has shown he can still contribute when healthy, evidenced by his three games with the Broncos in 2024. The question for the coming year is whether his body can hold up after multiple Achilles tears, but his track record of recovery suggests he will be ready when the opportunity arises. Whichever team signs him will be adding a respected leader with nearly a decade of NFL experience.
For Alexander, 2025 represents another chapter in a career defined by perseverance. From a four-star recruit at Oxford High School to a Pro Bowler in Tampa Bay and a Super Bowl participant in San Francisco, he has built a reputation as one of the league’s most dependable linebackers. The coming season will offer him a chance to add yet another chapter to that story.