Nero Alexander

Nero Alexander

Alexander at a media event
No. 92 – San Antonio Marshals
Position:	Defensive End
Personal information
Born:	(2005-07-07)July 7, 2005 (aged 55) Chicago, IL
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:	Walter Payton College Prep
College:	Northwestern University
DSFL Draft:	S14 / Round: 2 / Pick: 4
Career history
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Third team All-American First team All-Big Ten Conference

Nero Alexander (born July 7, 2007) is an American football defensive end for the San Antonio Marshals of the Developmental Simulation Football League (X). He played college football for Northwestern University (NU) and has declared his intent to enter the professional ranks next season.

Early years

Alexander was born in Chicago, Ilinois on July 7th, 2005. His parents, Carl and Mary Alexander, were both public school teachers, instilling a love of learning in him throughout his childhood. Carl coached Alexander's youth football, baseball, and basketball teams before urging him to focus on football as he approached high school.

Alexander attended Walter Payton College Prep, a magnet school in the Old Town neighborhood on Chicago's north side. He excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron, leading the Grizzlies to a 9-1 record and a conference title in his senior season while also serving as president of the school's Model UN club. Alexander proved to be a versatile player, lining up all over the front 7 during his high school career. In his senior year, he nearly tied the state record with 10 recovered fumbles to go along with 84 tackles, 16 sacks, and three interception on defense. He currently holds school career records for tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, and recovered fumbles.

Despite his high school production, Alexander received limited interest from college football recruiters. He was rated a three-star recruit (#41 DE, #22 in Illinois) by Rivals.com, earning offers to play at academically-minded schools FCS schools such as Cornell, Georgetown, and Villanova as well as non-power FBS programs including Akron, Bowling Green, Northern Ilinois, and Central Michigan. Late in his senior year, however, Alexander received offers from the University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt University, and Northwestern University. He committed to the Wildcats, citing academic prestige and proximity to home in addition to the opportunity to play in the Big Ten.

College career

Alexander played in 9 games as a true freshman, recording 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Alexander sacks Penn State quarterback Chad Archer

Alexander became a larger part of the defensive line rotation during his sophomore season, appearing in all 13 games. He recorded 6 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery in a 34-14 win over the University of Arkansas in the Music City Bowl. He finished the year with 18 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss.

Prior to his junior season, starting defensive ends Jon Hader and Aaron Hall departed for the professional ranks. Alexander earned a regular starting role, starting 10 games for the Wildcats before suffering a torn ACL that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He recorded 27 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 9 tackles for loss on the season.

Alexander was voted by his teammates as the recipient of the coveted no. 1 jersey prior to his senior season, given to a player who “truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family.” He returned to his full-time starting role and started all 14 games for the Wildcats while leading them to their first-ever Big Ten Championship game and a Citrus Bowl berth. He was named a third team All-American and first team All-Big Ten player after finishing the season with 49 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.

Alexander graduated from Northwestern cum laude with a major in Economics and a minor in Statistics.

Collegiate statistics

Nero Alexander						Tackles					Interceptions				Fumbles
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
2023	Northwestern	Big Ten	FR	DE	9	3	6	9	2.5	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2024	Northwestern	Big Ten	SO	DE	13	8	10	18	7.0	4.5	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0
2025	Northwestern	Big Ten	JR	DE	10	12	15	27	9.0	4.0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1
2026	Northwestern	Big Ten	SR	DE	14	25	24	49	15.5	9.5	0	0	0	6	2	64	1	3
Career	Northwestern				46	48	55	103	34.0	19.5	0	0	0	9	3	64	1	4

Professional career

DSFL

Alexander was drafted by the San Antonio Marshals with the 10th overall pick in the historically deep S14 DSFL draft. The San Antonio General Manager was quoted as saying "I almost picked this guy round one, I really did - I did not think he was going to drop. When he fell to me, I was so happy."

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	274 lb (124 kg)