Kerrick Alexander is a fast, physical safety for the Cecilia Bulldogs out of Cecilia, Louisiana. He started playing football his sophomore year to stay out of trouble and it has worked for him.
Alexander said fighting and growing up were things he has had to overcome. His older brother and his two older cousins, Tarik Davis and Keldrick Zeno, helped to guide him and push him to use the aggression on the football field.
“In practice. My coaches always tell me how fast I am and stuff like that and how strong. I’m a big hitter. I didn’t notice my ability but when I finally noticed it, I was unstoppable,” Alexander said.
The 5’10, 165 pound 2018 safety from Cecelia doesn’t currently have any offers but loves what LSU has to offer. It helps that LSU has a reputation for developing defensive backs into NFL players.
“There’s just something about LSU. My cousin Travin Dural, the receiver, he went to LSU. That’s what motivates me to go to LSU.”
He also has received interest from the Louisiana Prep Sports Academy in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Kerrick Alexander describes himself as a ball hawk and a hard hitter. He plays on special teams because of his speed but here’s what he enjoys about playing safety.
“I like catching picks, I like owning my position and showing off your speed because, at the safety position, you can show your speed like a lot when the ball is in the air.”
His head coach, Dennis Skains, recognized his talent right away.
“I didn’t get to Cecilia until last April, so I have only coached Kerrick for a short period of time, but I will say he has improved remarkably in such a short period,” he said. “A light turned on for him somewhere in August or September; he got comfortable back there and started playing fast. You could see the natural talent on day one, but it took time for it all to come together.”
In 2016, Kerrick Alexander recorded 71 tackles, eight passes defensed, six blocked kicks, three touchdowns, two interceptions, two tackles for loss in addition to First Team All-Acadiana and First Team All-District selections.
Michael Wiltz, Kerrick’s cousin and someone who helps athletes with recruiting, noticed he was going to be a special player when he could make plays in more than one area of the game.
“When I noticed how Kerrick is able to make plays on special teams and at the safety position. It’s not little plays, it’s blocked field goals, interceptions, breaking up passes. He does it all.”
Wiltz likens him to LSU junior safety Jamal Adams who is a former five-star safety out Lewisville, Texas. He recently declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
On what Skains wants to see how out of Alexander in his last season as a Bulldog, it’s leadership.
“I want him to be one of the leaders on defense. I want him to be one of the kids who police other players, as far as effort or responsibilities. I would also like to see him help the younger kids improve; I would hope he would help those kids along so that they can see success in the future also.”
Alexander and Skains are on the same page because he too wants to show more leadership and he believes that starts with working on his mental toughness after a bad play.
“I look to another teammate. Our linebacker Adam Chung, he’s the soul of our defense he leads it. He made me become a better player by watching him.”
Kerrick Alexander has this mentality going into a game.
“Win the football game and don’t let anybody get passed me. Don’t get beat.”
In the 2017-18 season, Kerrick Alexander will need to not just be the leader of the secondary but the emotional and vocal leader that the Cecilia Bulldogs need.