11W Community Interview: Burke, Virginia Athlete A.J. Alexander

By Jeremy Birmingham on March 22, 2015 at 11:15 am
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The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.

Ohio State's 2015 football recruiting class featured a number of athletes that made their mark in high school at a couple of different positions, including Lake Braddock (Burke, Virginia) athlete AJ Alexander

At wide receiver, safety and as a kick returner, Alexander was on his way to an excellent senior season before he suffered a torn ACL during a late September game. From that point, it's been all rehab for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Alexander, who chose the Buckeyes over Virginia, North Carolina and Wisconsin in mid-September.

Today, Alexander, the nation's 16th-ranked tight end prospect – who could line up at tight end, H-back, wide receiver or any number of defensive positions for the Buckeyes – joins the 11W Community Interview series.


What made you interested in the Buckeyes?1967Buck

AJ: I knew I wanted to play in the Big Ten and coach (Urban) Meyer gave me an offer. Anybody offered by him has the opportunity to be the best. So I figured if I wanted to be the best, I had to play with the best.

What position best suits your talents on the field?DamonBuckeye

AJ: That's a tough one. I love having the opportunity to score touchdowns but I also love filling a lane from safety. However, I feel like I can make a bigger impact on offense.

What is the perception of the Buckeyes’ fans amongst recruits?TimHBomb

AJ: We love how much love you guys show! It's so awesome to be a part of such a rich tradition and being so welcomed by you guys makes it that much better. 

Coming up through high school, did you know much about Ohio State? When the scholarship offer came, how excited were you? AlwayzABuckeye614

AJ: I just knew that they had such a winning history in the Big Ten and about the move coach Meyer made Columbus. I was ecstatic when the offer came and then when they won the national championship it was even more exciting to be a Buckeye.

Share with us a little inside information about the recruiting process that fans wouldn’t know about. What would surprise us?KiddBuckeye

AJ: You guys probably wouldn't know the excitement of the journey of getting to see multiple campuses and talk to multiple great coaches in person. Just the overall enjoyment of the opportunity I've been blessed with is something I think that may fly under the radar.

How is your ACL?BuckeyeGuy0615

AJ: It's great. March 29th will mark six months from the surgery which will clear me to do a little more on it. I plan to be 100-percent by June. Thank you for asking.

What is your biggest strength and what do you need to improve on the most on the field? Off of it, who are you closest with in your recruiting class?  BuckeyeCrusader

AJ: I think my biggest strength is my versatility because I feel I could excel in more than one position. I think speed training is key and is something i am continuously working on improving. I"m definitely closest with Matt Burrell we actually live fairly close to each other and hangout sometimes.

I was ecstatic when the offer came and then when they won the national championship it was even more exciting to be a Buckeye

What 2016 player from the DMV would you like most to see in Columbus and why?Toad1204

AJ: I'd definitely have to say Dwayne Haskins Jr. even though there is thick QB controversy going on in Columbus.

Do you have any hobbies outside of football that most fans wouldn’t know?MikeEagleBuckeye

AJ: I love playing video games. I'm always playing madden, NBA2K, or Call of Duty.

What will be your major at Ohio State? – ICouldNotGoFor3

AJ: I'm interested in the study of Kinesiology which is the study of how the body works. Being an athlete, I'm very interested in getting to understand the body and how it works so I can better understand myself and my game.

I want to play with the best and it doesn't get any better than Ohio State. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity and the experience itself. I hope to win a few rings of my own and play as soon as I can. I'm just excited to be a Buckeye! O-H!

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