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Vadal Alexander
Vadal Alexander
Vadal Alexander
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Vadal Alexander (born March 23, 1994) is an American professional football guard. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. Alexander played college football at LSU for four years, but all those wins were vacated after he was determined to be ineligible because his father received embezzled funds from a booster.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

A native of Buford, Georgia, Alexander attended Buford High School, where he was a two-time Georgia AA First Team All-State offensive lineman as a junior and senior. In his senior season, the Buford Wolves went 14–1 and finished as GHSA Class AA runner-up, being upset in the state final by Calhoun.[1] After his senior season, Alexander participated in the Under Armour All-America Game.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Alexander was ranked as the No. 11 offensive guard prospect in the class of 2012.[2] Alexander chose Louisiana State over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina.

College career

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In his true freshman year at Louisiana State, Alexander played in 13 games. After an early season injury to starting left tackle Chris Faulk,[3] Alexander moved into the starting line-up, playing every offensive snap of the final nine games at right tackle. He earned Freshman All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors by the league's coaches, and was named second team Freshman All-American by Scout.com.[4] For his sophomore season, he replaced La'el Collins at left guard, who was moved over to left tackle. Alexander started all 13 games, and led the Tigers with 71 knockdowns on the season. In the Outback Bowl, he was on the field for 71 offensive plays and was credited with a career-high 13 knockdowns.

As a junior, Alexander remained a mainstay at left guard next to Collins as left tackle, giving LSU one of the most dominating guard-tackle combinations in college football. Running behind Collins and Alexander, freshman running back Leonard Fournette registered 1,034 rushing yards on the season. After LSU's 30–27 win over Florida, Alexander earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.[5] Alexander's streak of 32 straight starts snapped, however, when he missed the Arkansas game in week 11 because of a hand injury.[6] Forgoing the option to enter the 2015 NFL draft, Alexander returned to LSU and was named Preseason First Team All-SEC.[7] He was moved to right tackle, as previous right tackle Jerald Hawkins had to replace Collins on the left side.[8]

It was reported in June 2019 that Alexander's father, James, received approximately $180,000 from John Paul Funes, an LSU booster convicted in federal court of wire fraud and money laundering after embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer, Our Lady of the Lake hospitals.[9] As a result, LSU vacated all 37 wins from when Alexander was on the team, the most by any school.[10]

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]

Prior to his senior year, Alexander was considered one of the top senior prospects for the 2016 NFL draft.[11] Alexander was invited to and played in the Senior Bowl in January 2016. Coming out of college, he was ranked as the second best offensive guard and projected to be selected in the second or third round.[12] After the NFL Combine, Alexander was projected by the majority of analysts to be selected in the third or fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft and was ranked the seventh best offensive guard out of the 203 available by NFLDraftScout.com.[13]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.96 m) 		326 lb
(148 kg) 		35+1⁄4 in
(0.90 m) 		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		 5.57 s 1.81 s 3.21 s 4.90 s 8.04 s 24 in
(0.61 m)		 7 ft 11 in
(2.41 m)		 25 reps
All values from NFL Combine[14][15][16]

Oakland Raiders

[edit]

Alexander was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round, 234th overall, in the 2016 NFL draft.[17] Many analysts were surprised by his drastic fall in the draft, as the majority of them had him projected as a second or third round selection. They said the steep fall in his draft stock likely came from not testing well at the combine and being seen as a prospect who better shows his talents in games. Scouts and teams also had concerns about his weight and conditioning.[18] On May 9, 2016, the Raiders signed him to a four-year, $2.41 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $76,846.[19]

He started his rookie season as the backup right guard to veteran Gabe Jackson. Alexander made his regular season debut during the second game of the season in a loss against the Atlanta Falcons. On October 2, 2016, he made his first career start during a 28–27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens after starting right tackle Austin Howard was unable to play due to an ankle injury. Howard's backup. Menelik Watson, was unable to play after he suffered an hamstring injury and the Raider's third backup right tackle option, Matt McCants, was down with a knee injury. Alexander was called for three holding penalties and a false start.[20] He also started at right tackle the following game, for a Raider's win 34–31 over the San Diego Chargers.[21]

On December 4, 2016, Alexander started the game against the Buffalo Bills at tight end. He was used as an extra blocker on the opening drive, with the Raider's defeating the Bills 38–24. The next game, he had his first official career start at right guard against the Kansas City Chiefs after starting right guard Kelechi Osemele was unable to play due to an illness that was later verified to be kidney stones.[22] After having trouble with the Chief's defense during the first three snaps, head coach Jack Del Rio replaced him with veteran Jon Feliciano. They later rotated at right guard throughout the 13–21 loss to Kansas City.[23]

On May 1, 2018, Alexander was suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.[24] He was waived by the Raiders on July 31, 2018, after failing to report to training camp.[25]

Pittsburgh Maulers

[edit]

Alexander was drafted by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 22nd round of the 2022 USFL draft.[26] He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on May 6 with an arthritis flare-up.[27][28] He was moved back to the active roster on May 14.[29] He was transferred to the inactive roster again on May 20,[30] but moved back to the active roster the next day.[31] He became a free agent when his contract expired on December 31, 2022.

St. Louis Battlehawks

[edit]

On January 1, 2023, Alexander was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in the eighth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.[32] He re-signed with the team on January 23, 2024.[33]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Vadal Alexander

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vadal Alexander (born March 23, 1994) is an American professional football offensive guard. He played at (LSU), where he was a standout offensive lineman for the Tigers from 2012 to 2015. Alexander was selected by the in the seventh round (234th overall) of the . During his NFL career, Alexander appeared in 24 games with nine starts over two seasons with the Raiders from 2016 to 2017, primarily serving as a reserve offensive lineman. After his time in the NFL, he continued his professional career in spring football leagues, joining the Maulers of the (USFL) in 2022. In 2023, he signed with the of the XFL, where he started all 10 games at guard, contributing to a strong offensive line that helped the team reach the league championship game. The following year, following the merger of the XFL and USFL into the United Football League (UFL), Alexander returned to the and started eight of ten regular-season games in 2024, missing the final two due to a calf . He was removed from the roster in January 2025 and did not play during the 2025 season. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing approximately 325 pounds, Alexander is known for his size, athleticism, and versatility along the interior offensive line.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Vadal Alexander was born on March 23, 1994, in New Orleans, , to parents Rhonda and James Alexander. His family relocated to Georgia when he was three years old, following his father's employment as a manager at a Marshall's Distribution Center in the area. This move marked the beginning of Alexander's upbringing in the suburban town of Buford, where he spent the majority of his childhood. Growing up in Georgia after the brief in New Orleans, Alexander maintained a strong connection to his birthplace through family ties and cultural influences. His father, James, played a central role in the family's stability during this transition, managing the household amid the demands of his career in distribution. The family faced challenges later, including the impact of in 2005, which destroyed their original New Orleans home and required James to support extended relatives in . During his early years, Alexander developed an interest in football as a New Orleans Saints fan, reflecting the city's passionate sports culture even from afar. This foundational exposure to the sport, combined with his Georgia roots, shaped his personal background before entering organized athletics.

High school career

Vadal Alexander attended Buford High School in , where he developed into a standout offensive lineman. As a junior and senior, he earned Georgia Class AA First Team All-State honors, recognizing his dominance on the offensive line and contributing to Buford's reputation as a football powerhouse. During his senior year in 2011, Alexander anchored the Buford Wolves' offensive line as the team achieved a 14–1 record and advanced to the Class AA state championship game, finishing as runners-up after a loss to Calhoun. His performance helped protect the and open running lanes, showcasing his size, strength, and technique at 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds. Alexander's high school success drew attention from top college programs, earning him four-star recruit status from major scouting services. He committed to (LSU) on October 10, 2011, choosing the Tigers over other suitors due to their emphasis on offensive line development. Alexander graduated early from Buford in December 2011 to enroll at LSU in January 2012, allowing him to participate in spring practices.

College career

Vadal Alexander enrolled at in 2012 after signing as a highly touted recruit from Buford High School in Georgia. He did not redshirt and appeared as a true freshman that season, playing in 12 games with eight starts at right tackle after an injury to the starter. His early contributions earned him second-team Freshman All-America honors from and Freshman All-SEC recognition from the league's coaches. Alexander's performance included 656 snaps and 49.5 knockdown blocks, helping anchor the line for a team that finished 10-3. Throughout his four seasons at LSU from 2012 to 2015, Alexander showcased exceptional position versatility on the offensive line, transitioning between tackle and guard to meet needs. After starting at right tackle as a , he moved to left guard for his and junior years in 2013 and 2014, where he solidified the interior as a consistent starter. In October 2014, following a dominant outing against in which he played all 73 snaps and recorded 11 knockdown blocks to support 284 rushing yards, Alexander was named SEC Offensive Lineman of . Entering his senior campaign, he was selected to the preseason First Team All-SEC by both media voters and coaches, reflecting his established leadership and reliability. As a senior in 2015, Alexander returned to right tackle early in the season before flexing back to left guard at times, starting all 13 games and logging 810 snaps with 119 knockdown blocks while blocking for Fournette's 1,953-yard rushing season. His efforts earned him Second Team All-America honors from , , and , along with First Team All-SEC selections from the coaches and . He capped his by participating in the 2016 , where he further demonstrated his adaptability to scouts. In June 2023, the NCAA vacated all 37 of LSU's victories from the 2012–2015 seasons in which participated, stemming from Level I violations involving $180,150 in impermissible benefits paid to his father by a program booster for a , rendering Alexander ineligible during that period. This ruling impacted the official records of his eligibility and team achievements, though individual participation statistics remained intact. Over his LSU tenure, Alexander appeared in 50 games with 46 starts—25 at left guard and 21 at right tackle—contributing to a 37-14 record before the vacating.

Professional career

Pre-draft process

Following his senior season at , Vadal Alexander declared eligibility for the . Scouting evaluations highlighted Alexander's impressive physical attributes, including his of 6 feet 5 inches and weight of 326 pounds, which provided a strong foundation for interior line play, along with notable athleticism for his size that allowed him to generate power in run blocking. However, reports critiqued inconsistencies in his technique, such as poor balance, inflexible hips leading to upright stance issues, and imprecise hand usage that could be exploited by quicker defenders. Alexander participated in the in February 2016, where he recorded arm length of 35¼ inches and hand size of 10½ inches, measurements that underscored his potential reach advantage. He also took part in positional drills at LSU's pro day in March 2016 but opted not to retest timed events, relying on his combine performance. The selected Alexander in the seventh round, 234th overall, in the . He signed a four-year contract worth $2.416 million, including a of $76,844.

Oakland Raiders

Alexander signed with the after being selected in the seventh round (234th overall) of the out of LSU. In his rookie season of , Alexander appeared in 9 games, making 5 starts across multiple positions on the offensive line, including right tackle and guard. He logged 305 offensive snaps, primarily as a reserve, and contributed to an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the that year. During the 2017 season, Alexander played in 15 games with 4 starts, bouncing between left guard and right tackle roles amid injuries to other linemen. He participated in 256 offensive snaps, focusing more on run blocking, but drew criticism for inconsistencies in pass protection, allowing 2 sacks according to Pro Football Focus grading. Over his two seasons with the Raiders, Alexander appeared in 24 games with 9 starts total, serving in a depth role on the offensive line. In the 2018 offseason, he received a four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The Raiders waived him on July 31, 2018, with a non-football injury designation after he failed to report to training camp, effectively ending his tenure amid roster competition and unresolved health-related concerns.

Pittsburgh Maulers

Vadal Alexander was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers in the 22nd round (170th overall pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft from the offensive lineman pool. Following the draft, Alexander signed with the Maulers and was placed on their active roster ahead of the 2022 season opener on April 16, 2022, serving primarily as a depth offensive guard. His prior release from the in 2018 had opened opportunities in emerging spring football leagues like the USFL. Alexander's participation was severely limited by health issues, including in his knee and ankle that led to his placement on injured reserve and multiple stints on the inactive list and during the season. He did not appear in any games for the Maulers, who finished 4-6 in the league's inaugural reboot season—a short-lived format that concluded after one year before the USFL's merger with the XFL. Alexander was not retained by the Maulers after the 2022 season, concluding his brief tenure with the team as a depth player amid ongoing injury challenges.

St. Louis Battlehawks

Alexander was selected by the in the eighth round (61st overall) of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023. During the 2023 , Alexander started all 10 regular-season games at right offensive guard for the Battlehawks, who finished with a 7-3 record and advanced to the XFL Championship Game. In the championship game on May 13, 2023, the Battlehawks lost 50-35 to the Arlington Renegades at the in , . Alexander's contributions helped anchor an offensive line that supported quarterback A.J. McCarron's passing attack, which amassed 2,413 yards and 26 touchdowns during the regular season, though the unit allowed 30 sacks over 10 games. Following the merger of the XFL and USFL into the United Football League (UFL), Alexander re-signed with the Battlehawks on January 23, 2024. In the 2024 UFL season, he started all eight games he appeared in at right guard, contributing to a unit that permitted 22 sacks across 10 regular-season contests while aiding a balanced offense that propelled the team to a 7-3 record and an appearance in the XFL Conference Championship Game. His performance earned him a spot on the (PFF) Team of the Week for Week 7 after a strong showing in protection and run blocking. The Battlehawks fell 25-21 to the in the conference championship on June 9, 2024. Alexander was not re-signed by the Battlehawks following the 2024 season and entered 2025 as an unsigned .

2025 season

Entering the 2025 United Football League (UFL) season, Vadal Alexander remained an unsigned after not being re-signed by the , with whom he had played in 2024. He was excluded from the Battlehawks' offensive line preview roster ahead of the spring campaign, signaling his departure from the team. As of November 2025, Alexander had no reported tryouts, contract signings, or participation in either the National Football League (NFL) or UFL regular seasons. At age 31, he confronts broader challenges common to veteran players from spring leagues, such as teams' preferences for younger talent— with the average UFL player age around 25—and intense competition for the league's limited 400 roster spots. Alexander's career trajectory is further complicated by his injury history, including an flare-up that caused him to miss time during the with the Maulers. These factors contribute to the uncertainties faced by experienced linemen seeking to extend their professional careers beyond established leagues.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlexVa00.htm
  2. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/vadal-alexander-1.html
  3. https://www.raiders.com/history/all-time-roster/bios-a/vadal-alexander
  4. https://www.footballdb.com/players/vadal-alexander-alexava01
  5. https://www.reddit.com/r/battlehawks/comments/1i0hims/the_st_louis_battlehawks_have_removed_14_players/
  6. https://www.nfl.com/players/vadal-alexander/
  7. https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/vadal-alexander/
  8. https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/10/raiders-rookie-will-cherish-his-new-orleans-homecoming/amp/
  9. https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/former-lsu-tackle-vadal-alexander-it-would-be-an-honor-to-be-drafted-by-the/article_af222c81-050c-5ba9-82d0-41907a043694.html
  10. https://www.nola.com/sports/lsu-senior-ot-vadal-alexander-reflects-on-decision-to-stay/article_bb43afc6-fa00-50f1-bc3f-7853c0ab31e1.html
  11. https://www.nola.com/sports/vadal-alexander-football-junkie-ready-for-the-nfl/article_005643c2-c672-59e3-b6f2-fd907d962da5.html
  12. https://ghsfha.org/w/Special:GHSFHA/school/teams/Buford/1960
  13. https://www.gpb.org/news/2011/12/09/calhoun-beats-buford-win-aa-crown
  14. https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/sports/all-prep-football-news/bufords-alexander-has-a-healthy-respect-for-the-game/
  15. https://247sports.com/player/vadal-alexander-800/
  16. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/116521/vadal-alexander
  17. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/lsu-football-get-commitment-from-4-star-offensive-lineman-vadal-alexander/article_dceeaa83-d689-5fdc-aedf-4de89e727f34.html
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  19. https://lsusports.net/news/2012/12/06/205821590/
  20. http://www.nola.com/sports/vadal-alexander-football-junkie-ready-for-the-nfl/article_005643c2-c672-59e3-b6f2-fd907d962da5.html
  21. https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/raiders-take-lsu-og-alexander-im-very-versatile/1329296/
  22. https://lsusports.net/news/2014/10/13/209714393/
  23. https://www.secsports.com/article/13272615/preseason-all-sec-team
  24. https://lsusports.net/news/2015/07/17/210221590/
  25. https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-take-lsu-guard-vadal-alexander-in-7th-round-17098546
  26. https://www.si.com/college/2023/06/22/lsu-football-les-miles-vacate-wins-ncaa-infractions
  27. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/lsu-penalized-ex-coach-will-wade-receives-show-cause-10-game-suspension-for-level-i-ncaa-violations/
  28. https://nflmocks.com/2015/12/19/vadal-alexander-lsu-ol-mini-scouting-report-draft-stock/
  29. https://www.nj.com/jets/2016/02/nfl_combine_2016_offensive_linemen_measurements.html
  30. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2633849-vadal-alexander-nfl-draft-2016-scouting-report-grade-for-raiders-rookie
  31. https://247sports.com/article/oakland-raiders-draft-vadal-alexander-45087482/
  32. https://lsusports.net/news/2016/03/15/210804087/
  33. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/19188/vadal-alexander
  34. https://www.raiders.com/news/oakland-raiders-position-review-offensive-line-18562957
  35. https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/31/raiders-to-move-on-from-ol-vadal-alexander/
  36. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/vadal-alexander/10868
  37. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/vadal-alexander-suspended-four-games-for-ped-violation
  38. https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-waive-nfi-offensive-lineman-vadal-alexander
  39. https://pfnewsroom.com/usfl-2022-draft-results/
  40. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/usfl-rosters-2022-full-45-man-rosters-teams/pobzvksfxiohvonh70yk5fy3
  41. https://usflnewshub.com/usfl-news/usfl-week-4-new-jersey-generals-vs-pittsburgh-maulers-preview-prediction/
  42. https://pfnewsroom.com/news/xfl-supplemental-draft-results/
  43. https://www.footballdb.com/teams/xfl/st-louis-battlehawks/stats/2023
  44. https://www.footballdb.com/teams/ufl/st-louis-battlehawks/transactions/2024
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  46. https://www.pff.com/news/ufl-week-7-pff-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2024
  47. https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/2025-battlehawks-preview-offensive-line/
  48. https://www.foxsports.com/ufl/vadal-alexander-player-stats
  49. https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/top-unsigned-veteran-ufl-free-agents-for-the-2025-season/
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