Name: Alex Ney
School: Southwest Minnesota State
Position: LB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 235
Q: What goals did you accomplish heading into your final collegiate season?
My goals for the senior season were to improve my overall linebacker performance with more TFLs, sacks, and pass breakups. I was able to fulfill all those goals and achieve All Conference Honors for the second season in a row.
Q: What would your coaches say about the type of player you are?
My coaches would say I am a leader and a hardnosed linebacker who puts himself into positions on the field to make big plays. My football IQ is very good, and I have a knack for finding the ball carrier.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
I watch a lot of film throughout the game week. I first watch through a game and recognize plays and tendencies of an offense. I then go back through the film multiple times to watch position tendencies. Studying lineman and running backs during film review really helps me to call out plays and get a head start on a play during a game.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
What separates me from others at my position is my toughness and football IQ. I love to be in the middle of a defense and have contact every play. With being in the middle of the defense, you need to be able to signal in calls and make sure all the players around you understand the call. Having a great football IQ allows me to react faster then others and make plays consistently.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I am currently enrolled in school still, so I am training at SMSU. I have a pro day March 27th, so I have been on a six-week strength and conditioning program increasing my strength, speed, and power to be able to dominate my pro day. Having many resources available to help me with training has been very useful.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I have been labeled as a leader for many years now as I was named captain for my junior and senior season. Leadership is one strength that I will bring to a team as it is needed on and off the field and I have a very good understanding of what it takes to lead and be a role model to many people. With being a leader for multiple years, guys look to me for advice, tips, and techniques to better their game and up their performance level. My leadership, mentality, and toughness are all strengths that I can bring to a team.
For performance, I am a linebacker who will stuff the run, pursue to the ball and create turnovers for our team. Communication and accountability are two more strengths that I attain and believe are the most important in team sports.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
Linebackers are debatably the most important piece to a defense, and with that I believe I fit the requirements. Run stopping and creating turnovers is what I have been most successful at, as well as being mobile enough to go sideline to sideline and make plays consistently. I am a guy who will lead a defense by always communicating, pursing the ball, and putting myself and our team into situations to be successful.
