At the NFL Combine, Darius Alexander was posed with a simple question. The Toledo defensive lineman was asked to point out his best games which highlight what he’s capable of.
The Rockets’ MAC matchup against Miami (Ohio) and their six-overtime win over Pitt in the GameAbove Sports Bowl were his answers. And it’s easy to see why.
Against Miami: seven tackles, three for loss, with two sacks. In his final collegiate game vs. Pitt: six tackles, one for loss, with one sack and a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown.
But stats aren’t why he picked those games.
“I just was out there playing with my head on fire,” he told reporters.
But Alexander played like that most of the 2024 season and even before that. And with his size and athleticism, it’s easy to see why NFL teams are becoming more intrigued by him.
“I could play with the best of them,” he said.
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Darius Alexander NFL Mock Draft Projection In 2025
I project Alexander will be drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
If he was drafted that early, he would be the second Toledo product to be drafted in the first round in two years after Quinyon Mitchell went to the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago.
“That’s a guy I talk to a lot,” Alexander said. “That’s my brother right there. Just to go see him do what he did was wonderful and showed how he sticks to his process.”
It’s fascinating Alexander is in consideration to be drafted that early. But after his performance at the NFL Combine, many believe he will be off the board by the end of the first round.
He noted conversations with NFL teams have been “great.”
“They’ve been wonderful,” he said. “I just tell them wherever you need me is where I’m gonna rock out.”
What Was Darius Alexander’s 40 Time At The NFL Combine?
Alexander ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That was fifth among 19 defensive tackles who participated.
He stood out in other drills as well. He was top 10 among all players at the combine with 28 bench press reps. He was also fourth among eight defensive tackles in the three-cone drill with a time of 7.6 seconds and 10th among 24 with a broad jump of 9 feet, 3 inches.
“I think my whole game translates to the NFL,” Alexander said. “I just want to go out there and work.”
While Alexander called the depth of the defensive line group in this year’s draft class “great,” he also believes he stands out.
“I play everything on the D-line. I don’t play just one spot,” he said. “I’m a game-wrecker, and I just love to show my skill off.”
Darius Alexander’s Height & Weight
Alexander was measured at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Darius Alexander’s Stats & Highlights
Alexander, a Group of Five All-American, was productive for most of his collegiate career. He’s tallied at least 20 tackles in each of the past four years.
In 2024, he racked up 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five passes defended, and one interception. The year before, he had 36 tackles, 5.5 for loss, with four sacks and three passes defended. In 2022 and 2021, he totaled 21 tackles both seasons.
Alexander earned All-MAC accolades each of the past two years.
“I always take pride in representing the MAC,” he said. “Most people feel like it’s a small conference with small guys there, but we’ve got great players, too.”
Darius Alexander’s NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Darius Alexander’s game are comparable to Quinnen Williams. They have similar size, though Alexander is one inch taller, and have a great combination of quickness and power.
If his bench press reps at the combine didn’t make this obvious, Alexander is incredibly strong. And his tape further proves it. Whether it was against guards in the MAC or against Pitt in Toledo’s bowl game, Alexander constantly pushed offensive linemen backward and rarely was pushed off the line of scrimmage.
“I think my best attribute is my whole game,” he said. “I think there’s areas I can work on all my game, but my best attribute is to go out there and play physical.”
Alexander possesses great side-to-side agility. One of the best parts about watching him is how he can win with a variety of moves, including his swim move which is tough to stop.
The main criticism against him is that he never transferred and played for a bigger school. But as Mitchell proved with a phenomenal rookie season, Alexander didn’t need to go anywhere to showcase how great he could be.
“I’m just ready to work and put my head down and get to work,” he said. “There’s some great guys in the NFL. I know there are gonna be some veterans I can talk to in my room. Just being able to go there and get straight to work.”
