2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Darius Alexander

In the history of the University of Toledo football program, there have only been two first-round picks to the NFL draft. Last year, it was Quinyon Mitchell who joined Dan Williams from 1993. This year, the program has an opportunity to do something no MAC program has ever done: have first-round picks in back-to-back seasons. Darius Alexander has been rising up draft boards over the past six months and the former Rocket has a legitimate chance of hearing his name called on the first night of the festivities.

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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Darius Alexander

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 305 pounds
Arms: 34″
Hands: 10″
Vertical: 31 1/2″
Broad jump: 9’4″
RAS: 9.17
School: Toledo

Darius Alexander NFL Draft Overview

From just down the road in Fort Wayne, In., Alexander was a tw0-star recruit in the 2019 class. As a true freshman, Alexander did not appear in any game action as he was getting up to speed in the college game. However, in 2020, he appeared in all six games for the Rockets, tallying nine tackles and one tackle for loss.

The following season, he played in all 13 games and accounted for 21 tackles and one tackle for loss. In 2022, Alexander managed 21 tackles again but this time, he added seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He was starting to come into his own.

2023 was another step forward with 36 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and four pass breakups, but he garnered some serious attention in his final season last year. He set new career highs with 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and even recorded a 58-yard pick-six in the Rockets’ six-overtime win in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Strengths

• Consistently productive, had multiple seasons with significant TFLs and sacks
• Impressive athletic profile with a 9.17 RAS
• Uses arms well to lock out blockers
• Strong hands, can shed engaged linemen and make the play
• Incredible gap discipline and ability to diagnose and snuff out runs
• Relentless
• Played all over the defensive line and can bring that to the NFL

Weaknesses

• Turns 25 in August
• Competition level is usually a concern with MAC players
• Great first step negated by high pad level
• Is more of a run defender and could use some pass rush development

Best Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants

Projection: Second Round

Bottom Line on Darius Alexander

Alexander looks like he will be an interesting pick in this year’s draft. On one hand, he is an ascending player. On the other, he’s older than some players signing their second NFL contract.

Alexander has a great blend of size, power, and explosiveness that projects well at the next level. He will be a solid run-defending 3-technique with the ability to secure a few sacks here and there. Last year, he finished in the top 10 among all interior defenders with a 15% run-stop rate and had a 78.3 PFF grade in his run defense.

While his age may be a concern, it does give some comfort for scouts that he’s a prospect with a high floor. He should be a starter early in his career. Alexander put some of the competition level concerns to rest with an incredibly strong performance at the Senior Bowl and combine.

Alexander is a classic “traits over production” prospect whose best football lies ahead. While he may need a year to refine his pass-rush plan, his combination of athleticism, motor, and positional flexibility makes him a safe bet to outperform his draft slot. In a league increasingly prioritizing interior pressure, Alexander’s ability to collapse pockets while stonewalling runs could make him a Pro Bowl dark horse by 2027.