Former University of Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander made a big impact at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday, running a 4.95 time in his first attempt in the 40-yard dash. The Combine was televised live on the NFL Network.
Alexander’s 40 time was tied for fifth among interior defensive lineman participating in the day’s first group. He also had a 10-yard split time of 1.72, which ranked fourth.
Former Rocket Darius Alexander ran a 4.95 in the 40, the fifth-best time among interior defensive lineman at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“Holy Toledo!” said NFL Network host Rich Eisen after Alexander’s run. “A sub-five 40 run by a man that size!”
“Just real smooth,” added analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “He really doesn’t have any stiffness when you watch him. Everything he does is real fluid and smooth. (Alexander) is a top 50 player in this class for me. He has long arms, he can knock you back, he can really bend and move.”
Alexander, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, earned second-team All-MAC honors at defensive tackle in 2024 after making third-team all-league in 2023. He set career high in tackles (40) and tackles for loss (7.5) this past season and had a memorable 58-yard pick-six in Toledo’s 48-46, six overtime victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. He finished his Rocket career with 127 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.
Alexander, who was officially measured at 6-3 7/8 and 305 pounds, also made a big impression at this year’s Senior Bowl. He was named the top defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl in a vote by the offensive linemen participating in the practices. He followed that up with a noteworthy performance in the Senior Bowl game on Feb. 2, picking up one tackle for loss, another tackle for no gain and several pressures on quarterbacks for the opposing team.
Alexander and his Toledo teammate, safety Maxen Hook, are hoping to be the latest Rockets chosen in the NFL Draft (April 24-26). Since 2017, 10 Rockets have been selected in the NFL Draft. In the 2024 draft, Quinyon Mitchell was chosen as the 22nd pick by the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, the first Rocket to be taken in the first round in 31 years. Mitchell was runner-up as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
