Junior receiver Aaron Alexander stretched out his 6-foot-5 frame to grab a ball in the corner of the end zone last year against Illinois. The touchdown catch was a highlight play for the vocal Alexander, who has yet to have a breakout game this season after finishing the last one with a team-leading eight catches for 63 yards in the Alamo Bowl. The Richmond, Va., native and former quarterback talks about Big Ten play, his football P.T., and the possibility of playing basketball or baseball.
The State News: Was it tough to open Big Ten play with two road games and so many young players?
Aaron Alexander: It's definitely tough, and when it comes to road games, those are the ones you really need to win to be successful in the Big Ten. The crowd can be a factor. But we need to play our best game and we won't get beat by anyone.
SN: Last year you caught that big touchdown against Illinois, are you hoping for another play like that this year?
Alexander: I'm hoping to get a few of them like that. You always have that in your sights, but I'm not stressing too much about it, I'll let it come to me.
SN: Each week a new guy steps up at receiver, do you think this may be your week?
Alexander: I hope so, but if not, so be it.
SN: You're one of the more outspoken guys on the team, have you let any of the freshman have it sometimes?
Alexander: I'll let anyone hear it if I feel they need it. Whether it's a senior defensive lineman, senior offensive lineman, defensive back, quarterback, or even myself, it really doesn't matter, whoever I feel needs it, I'll give any of my teammates constructive criticism.
SN: Is there anyone as outspoken as you on the team?
Alexander: I don't think anyone is as outspoken as me, there are a couple guys who are vocal leaders who don't speak as much, but when they do speak everybody listens, guys like Tyrell Dortch, Jason Harmon, Ronald Stanley and Seth Mitchell, guys like that. They bring a different type of leadership to the locker room.
SN: Are you going to play anymore basketball?
Alexander: I don't know, right now I really want to play baseball. I've been trying to talk to the coaches, but I don't really know what's going to happen.
SN: Is it hard to be a multi-sport athlete?
Alexander: Sometimes it is, not because you have to work as hard as the next guy, I enjoy the work and love playing the sport, but it's hard in the sense that there's not always enough time for both things, because you need the offseason to concentrate on improving.
