Rufus Alexander

Infobox NFLactive
name=Rufus Alexander


currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=57
currentposition=Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|4|12
birthplace=Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=232
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Oklahoma
draftyear=2007
draftround=6
draftpick=176
pastteams=
* Minnesota Vikings (2007-present)
status=Practice Squad
highlights=
* Second-team All-Big 12 (2004)
* 2x First-team All-Big 12 (2005-2006)
* Big 12 Defensive P.O.Y. (2006)
* First-team All-American (2006)
nfl=ALE616094

Rufus Alexander (born April 12, 1983 in city-state|Breaux Bridge|Louisiana) is a American footballlinebacker who is a practice squad player for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma.

Early years

Alexander was raised by a mother who worked all of the time to support her family while his father was in prison.cite news | title=Leaving A Legacy | publisher=OU Insider | work=Sooners Illustrated | first=John | last=Shinn | pages=15-16 | date=February 2007 ] His oldest brother was in and out of legal trouble and the middle brother was following suit.cite news | title=Alexander has come a long way | publisher=Norman Transcript | url=http://www.cnhi.com/cnhinsstories/editorspicks_story_364013527.html | first=John | last=Shinn | date=2006-12-30 | accessdate=2007-02-06 ] Alexander met the Barham family, David and Melinda, while he was in junior high. In need of a stable living environment, the Barhams spoke to Alexander's mother, Siene, about having Alexander move in with them. The Barhams never legally adopted Alexander. David Barham accepted a job as the football coach at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge, LA and he brought Alexander with him. Alexander became a dominant player, leading his team to district titles his junior and senior year. Barham began to actively pursue colleges on his behalf as Alexander was listed as a top 20 high school linebacker. Barham initiated contact with Oklahoma's defensive coordinator Brent Venables in December 2001. The Sooners offered Alexander a scholarship and he chose Oklahoma over several other offers.

College career

He played for the University of Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2003 to 2006. In 2006, Alexander was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and an AP and AFCA All-American. [cite web | title=2006 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team | url=http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=698086 | accessdate=2006-11-30 | date=November 30, 2006 ]

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Alexander was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Alexander was injured in the Vikings first preseason game of 2007 and suffered a torn ACL, resulting in season-ending surgery.

After the 2008 preseason, Alexander was released. He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 23.

Personal

He is a cousin of NFL safety Gerald Alexander.

References

External links

* [http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/alexander_rufus00.html Oklahoma Sooners bio]
* [http://www.vikings.com/TeamPlayerProfile_rufus_alexander.aspx Minnesota Vikings bio]

Persondata
NAME=Alexander, Rufus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Football player
DATE OF BIRTH=April 12, 1983
PLACE OF BIRTH=Breaux Bridge, LA
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=