Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Size:
Height: 6013
Weight: 187
Arm: 31”
Hand: 9 ¼”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-Southland Conference (2022) • Third-Team FCS All-America (2021) • First Team All-Southland Conference (2021)
“Zy Alexander is a physical, press-man corner who uses his length to disrupt timing and shut down opposing receivers.”
Strengths:
Press-man coverage
Willing run defender
Fluid hip transitions
Eyes in zone coverage
Concerns:
Deep speed
Punch timing
Top-of-route hesitation
Film Analysis:
Zy Alexander played three positions for Loreauville High School: quarterback, wide receiver, and free safety, but he could not earn a star ranking during the recruitment process. He began his collegiate football career at Southeastern Louisiana, where he transitioned to cornerback and earned All-Southland Conference honors in 2021 and 2022 before entering the transfer portal as a four-star prospect and landing at LSU. He started 18 games for the Tigers and dealt with a knee injury during his 2023 campaign, missing the end of that season and the first week of 2024. He racked up 77 tackles (51 solo), three tackles for loss (one sack), four interceptions, and 11 passes defensed in his two seasons at LSU.
A versatile cover corner, Alexander is more comfortable in physical press coverage, where he can get hands-on receivers and alter their plans and timing of the play. His length allows him to re-route with the hip fluidity to change direction and get vertical. His punch timing and frequency can improve because when he’s in soft press (press alignment with no jabs or hand usage), shifty release receivers stack him quickly and pull away downfield. He doesn’t have the deep-field speed to recover when beaten downfield, and his use of physicality and hip twitch allows him to stay in the hip pocket and contest throws. In off coverage, Alexander reads plays out well and quickly gets downhill against outside runs and screens, willingly throwing his body around and tackling the ball-carrier. His click and close is also useful at the top of routes, helping to limit yards after the catch when closing on receivers.
He’s far more comfortable in press-man but has the tools to play in Cover 2 or 4. His football IQ is still growing, but he recognizes plays and route concepts well. He maintains his responsibility when the quarterback breaks the pocket, removing possible post-route options and allowing other defenders to trigger on the quarterback. Alexander hesitates at the top of routes against receivers with more nuance in their stems, giving them the inside track to quick breaks in or out to create separation. Trusting his leverage and growing as an anticipator will aid in those instances, but he has the tools to continue improving. He tracks the ball well downfield and even over his shoulder to break up passes and come away with interceptions. He looks to make plays at the catch point by fighting through the hands and reading the hands of receivers, and has the ball skills to come away with the ball.
Alexander is versatile enough to play in multiple alignments but will fit best with a defense that plays a good amount of press-man coverage. He’s a willing tackler and has a physical presence, but his feel at the top of routes and in soft press will need to improve at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Dan Harms
Exposures: Alabama (2024), South Carolina (2024), Ole Miss (2024), Florida (2024)
