Kwon Alexander Set High Standards
Junior linebacker Kwon Alexander was synonymous with hype from the moment he set foot on the LSU campus in the fall of 2012. His high school accomplishments and national rankings brought excitement to Baton Rouge and fans did not have to wait long to watch the Oxford, Ala., native flash his potential.
Alexander started fast and played in seven games in his freshman season including two starts at linebacker for the Tigers, where he collected 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. It was not long before his teammates and coaches bought into the hype.
“Ever since Kwon came here he always had a lot of energy,” senior linebacker D.J. Welter said. “He is a guy who works extremely hard at what he does. From the moment he got here, he was determined to learn the playbook fast and get on the field and he did that as a freshman.”
Tiger fans everywhere began to recognize Alexander for the energy he brings to the field every Saturday. His excitement translated into quality performances and made his teammates better.
Welter said the energy is infectious and helps keep everyone motivated.
“Kwon is a high-energy guy,” said Welter. “Playing with a guy like that in the line backing corps makes everyone better. Guys like that make our teammates better and he has definitely made me better.”
Unfortunately for Alexander, his first season donning the purple and gold was not all smiles and success. The freshman phenom suffered a broken ankle in the Tigers’ contest against Florida and he did not see field action again until the team’s appearance at the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
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The reality of injury was tough to accept for Alexander, who said he learned a lot about himself by overcoming adversity.
“It let me know that football will not last forever,” said Alexander. “I rehabbed as hard as I could and got back as fast as I could. After that, my mindset was just to be great at everything I do.”
He was determined to translate his greatness on the field into greatness in the training room and made staying healthy his top priority.
“Being healthy is huge,” said Alexander. “When you are hurt, you cannot play so I focused on staying healthy through the whole spring and summer. I do all the extra things to keep my body in shape.”
Alexander also mentioned that he used his newfound free time to focus more on his schoolwork and get even closer to his teammates.
At the time when he needed them most, Alexander’s teammates were there for him and happy to return the same energy and enthusiasm he always supplies. His quick rehab shows the effect a positive mindset can have in everyday life.
“My teammates will help me through anything,” said Alexander. “They are like my brothers. They motivate you to be a great player and be better at everything.”
Improve is exactly what Alexander did in 2013. In his second season with the Tigers and fresh off a major injury, he played in 13 games with nine starts and finished fourth on the team in total tackles.
Alexander made it no secret. He was back – and so was the hype.
“He is always out there flying around at practice,” said Welter. “He is always high-tempo and he never takes a day off.”
His energy at practice has paid off tremendously for Alexander, who already has accumulated nine tackles this season. Head coach Les Miles honored Alexander as the most valuable player in the Tigers’ opening win against Wisconsin.
Not surprisingly, Alexander is not satisfied with what he has accomplished so far and is striving to improve.
“I feel like I can do better. I always can get better,” said Alexander. “I will never settle until the time comes for me to stop playing. Every chance I get I just try to get better.”
He has the bar for his success set very high, with his injury clearly in the rear-view mirror and his confidence growing as a starting linebacker for LSU.
“As a team we are just trying to be the best team in the nation,” said Alexander. “I set my standards high. I want to be the first linebacker to win the Heisman and reach every goal I can.”
Doubt him if you want, but if history is any indication Kwon Alexander will just run right past you.