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Football: Great ExpectationsKevin Foote, The Advertiser, August 8, 2012 After just a week of practice as a true freshman with the UL Ragin’ Cajuns, former Breaux Bridge All-State linebacker Tyren Alexander hasn’t been very surprised by most of what he’s experienced thus far. The intensity, the special attention to detail by the coaches and the speed of the game have all fallen well within the hot-shot freshman’s expectations. What took place at UL’s media day on Monday, though, did catch the former All-Acadiana Defensive Most Valuable Player a bit off guard. While most true freshmen are mere afterthoughts in early August, that hasn’t been the case with Alexander. Head coach Mark Hudspeth wasted no time making it clear that Alexander wasn’t red-shirting and that he expects him to play in Monday’s opening statement. Defensive coordinator Greg Stewart seemed to hesitate to find big enough adjectives to describe how promising he thinks of Alexander’s future. On a bowl-winning team filled with talented seniors, Alexander was in high demand to TV cameras, newspaper reporters and radio hosts alike. "I wouldn’t say I’ve been shocked by anything," said a smiling Alexander. "I kind of had an idea of what to expect from the coaches. This (media attention), though, has been kind of surprising." As it turns out, Alexander might have surprised the coaches more than the other way around. "Oh no, the decision has definitely been made," defensive coordinator Greg Stewart said. "He’s got to play." Hudspeth agrees whole-heartedly. "Tyren Alexander is a guy that we’re planning on playing right now," Hudspeth said. "We’re gonna put him on the field somewhere. Like his "instincts and the way he flies to the football. And his coach at Breaux Bridge told me that they had three or four sign this year — a couple others went to other places — but he said Tyren was their best football player. And now we see why." Despite his smallish 6-1, 200-pound frame, Alexander has already risen to the No. 2 spot at inside linebacker on the depth chart. "He’s fast," Stewart said. "That is a fast dude. I love it, too. He’s a good youngen. He comes to work every day. And the way he explodes … The way he runs … He’s a little light right now, but the way he comes out when that ball snaps — it is unbelievable. It will give you chills watching him. We did good when we got Tyren Alexander.
Much like in his glory days at Breaux Bridge, Alexander has turned heads on the UL practice field with his high-motor relentless approach to the game. "I just go full speed at all times," Alexander said, "just like I did at Breaux Bridge." While that simple approach is apparently still working quite well for Alexander, he readily admits that not everything about being a college player is a piece of cake. Stewart and the other defensive coaches are currently throwing the playbook at Alexander."We’re just throwing the book at him right now, at all the young ones really," Stewart said. "It’s tough on them, but they’re picking it up. Tyren’s one of those kids who just loves the game. He’ll learn it." Actually, Alexander guarantees that. "It’s definitely difficult, but I will learn the plays," he said. "If I have to steady the playbook until I fall asleep every night, that’s what I’ll do." It’s that tenacity that made Alexander such a name for himself at the high school level. As a junior, he actually played defensive end, before being moved to linebacker as a senior. In earning All-State honors as a senior, he had 117 total tackles with two fumble recoveries (one for TD), two interceptions, two blocked punts (one for a score). "He’s making the adjustment," Stewart said. "His speed is the big thing for him. He uses that to overcome his lack of size and experience." Like most linebackers, Alexander depends on the defensive line to keep the 300-pound offensive linemen off him. "The key for me at 199 pounds taking on 300-pound linemen is to get my hands inside and get them off of me as soon as possible," he said. "It’s all about using my speed." That speed and aggressiveness will also be used on special teams, just like at Breaux Bridge. "I like special teams," Alexander said. "I did the same thing at Breaux Bridge. I’ll do whatever the team needs." Or specifically whatever Stewart instructs him to do. "He’s funny," Alexander said. "I love coach Stewart. He gives you his all and he expects the same thing out of his player. The thing that I really like about him, though, is that he gets to you on a personal level."
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