Current commits pushing 4-star EDGE target Austin Alexander to Kentucky

Northern Kentucky is producing a handful of Power 5-level football prospects right now. Two of them — IOL Aba Selm at Simon Kenton and TE Willie Rodriguez at Covington Catholic — have already committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats. But there’s another NKY product garnering interest from some of the nation’s biggest programs, and the ‘Cats are right in the thick of the race.

Cooper High School’s Austin Alexander, the nephew of former NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander, is making a name for himself on the national stage. Considered a four-star class of 2025 recruit by On3, Alexander has picked up nine P5 scholarship offers since May. Kentucky was among the first, but once Notre Dame offered in late August and quickly got Alexander on campus that same weekend, it became obvious that a special talent was brewing. His father attended Notre Dame and the historical relevance of that program is not lost on him.

“Just knowing that level of football and the honor that they have up there, just knowing that they want me to come be a part of it was just pretty cool to know and to hear,” Alexander said of his visit to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have been in talks with him since last year, but it wasn’t until the staff watched his Week 1 junior season tape that they ramped up the interest.

Kentucky is in a terrific position early on with Alexander’s recruitment though. He was back in Lexington over the weekend to catch the Wildcats’ 28-17 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Although it was a quick trip — he arrived at the game late after practicing that morning and went back home shortly after it ended — he was able to connect with the likes of Selm and Rodriguez, who were also at the game.

In particular, Alexander and Selm have formed a bond together that goes back years.

“We’ve been connected for probably about three years now, just being some of the bigger dudes in northern Kentucky, you kinda get linked and connected through that,” Alexander said of Selm. “We’ve been talking and done a few workouts together and going through this recruiting process.”

Both Selm and Rodriguez have already been making it a point to get in Alexander’s ear about playing together at the next level. Of course, that next level would be at Kentucky.

“(Selm has) been in my ear definitely. Him and Willie, they have definitely been pushing me to go blue,” Alexander added.

Alexander is arguably the most talented junior in the state of Kentucky. He’s ranked No. 322 in the nation by the On3 Industry Ranking and has bulked up significantly since the end of last season. The EDGE defender was playing at 215 pounds last season but is now clocking in at 245 pounds on top of his 6-foot-3 frame. More importantly, he hasn’t lost a step.

“I feel even faster than what I was (last year),” Alexander said. “I’m scoring long touchdowns now and running quarterbacks down more than I ever have.”

While defense is still his calling card and the main reason so many schools are recruiting him, Alexander has been successfully trying his hand at wide receiver this season. Through four games with Cooper, he’s caught 11 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. But he’s been a monster on defense — don’t forget that. Alexander is tied for the state leader in sacks with seven. He’s totaled 32 tackles, 22 of them solo and one for loss, and has even come down with an interception.

Austin Alexander. Hands.

15-yard gain to the Ryle 34.

Ryle 7, Cooper 0, 8:00, 2Q.

Jaguars on the move. pic.twitter.com/8RhrGnnQLA

— Evan Dennison (@EvanDennison1) September 1, 2023

Along with Kentucky and Notre Dame, Alexander is hearing from plenty of other schools. He says that Clemson is “recruiting me probably the hardest right now” while Cincinnati, Illinois, and Purdue aren’t far behind. He’ll visit Purdue this weekend then Clemson the next with plans to see North Carolina and Duke at some point this fall. Alexander is going to be a recruit for Kentucky fans to keep an eye on for the foreseeable future.