Elite Defensive Player Announces Date of Commitment

Cooper High School (Ky.) defensive lineman Austin Alexander, nephew of former NFL MVP running back Shaun Alexander, is on the verge of announcing his college decision. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound four-star prospect has scheduled a date and extended an invitation to the public to attend his announcement at his school’s auditorium.

Alexander, recognized as an all-state selection, currently holds rankings of No. 333 overall, No. 37 among defensive linemen, and No. 2 in Kentucky on the 247Sports 2025 Composite. He recently took to social media to disclose that he will unveil his college choice at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

In his post, Alexander listed his six finalists: UNC, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Stanford. As of now, there are no Crystal Ball predictions for Alexander’s decision. However, the “warm” tags assigned by 247Sports to UNC and Wisconsin indicate that these two schools are perceived as the frontrunners.

Notably, Alexander, who wreaked havoc on offensive linemen with 19 sacks during his junior season, also showcased his versatility by amassing 1,139 receiving yards as a tight end last year. He has been a target for the Tar Heels since receiving an offer from Coach Mack Brown and his staff in late August.

UNC’s 2025 football recruiting class currently comprises seven verbal commitments, none of which are on the defensive line yet, and is ranked No. 19 overall in the nation. Among these commitments are two composite four-stars: Gainesville (Ga.) offensive tackle Alex Payne and Kernersville (N.C.) quarterback Bryce Baker.