Alex Anzalone

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Alex Anzalone
refer to caption
Anzalone with the Detroit Lions in 2022
No. 34 – Detroit Lions
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1994-09-22) September 22, 1994 (age 30)
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:238 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Wyomissing Area
College:Florida (2013–2016)
NFL draft:2017: 3rd round, 76th pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Total tackles:518
Sacks:10.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:3
Pass deflections:27
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alex Anzalone (/ˈænzəˈloʊni/ an-zə-LOW-nee, born September 22, 1994) is an American professional football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators. Anzalone was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL draft.

College career

Anzalone originally committed to Ohio State and Notre Dame but chose to play college football at University of Florida from 2013 to 2016.[1][2]

During the four-year span, he missed 20 games due to injuries with his only full season being the 2014 season as the backup linebacker. He played ten games in 2013, two games in 2015, and seven games in 2016.[3][4][5][6] He forewent his final year of college eligibility to enter the 2017 NFL draft.[7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		241 lb
(109 kg) 		32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.62 s 1.59 s 2.69 s 4.25 s 6.88 s 30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8]

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints selected Anzalone in the third round (76th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[9] He was the tenth linebacker selected in 2017.[10] On June 2, 2017, the Saints signed Anzalone to a four-year, $3.46 million contract that included a signing bonus of $864,592.[11]

Anzalone earned a starting outside linebacker job for the Saints as a rookie, starting all four games in which he played. In Week 4 against the Dolphins, he suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2017.[12]

He played in all 16 games, starting seven, in the 2018 season. He finished with two sacks, 59 total tackles (45 solo), one interception, two passes defended, and three forced fumbles.[13] Anzalone was placed on injured reserve on September 16, 2019.[14] In the 2019 season, he appeared in two games and had one sack.[15] In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started nine. He finished with 41 total tackles (22 solo).[16]

Detroit Lions

Anzalone signed with the Detroit Lions on March 24, 2021.[17] He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker. He started the first 14 games before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 20.[18] In the 2021 season, he appeared in and started 14 games. He finished with one sack, 78 total tackles (49 solo), one interception, and seven passes defended.[19]

In March 2022, Anzalone re-signed with the Lions.[20] In the 2022 season, he started in all 17 games. He finished with 1.5 sacks, 125 total tackles (77 solo), one interception, six passes defended, and one fumble recovery.[21]

On March 13, 2023, Anzalone signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Lions.[22] In the 2023 season, Anzalone finished with three sacks, 129 total tackles (85 solo), six passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 16 games and starts.[23] In his third season with the Lions, Anzalone was selected as a 2024 NFL Pro Bowl alternate.[24]

In the 2024 season Anzalone suffered a broken left forearm in the Week 11's 52-6 victory against Jacksonville Jaguars. Expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to the injury, he was placed on injured reserve on November 18 with hopes of returning in the post-season.[25] Prior to the injury, Anzalone totaled 56 stops, including seven tackles for loss, and four pass deflections.[26] He was activated for the regular season finale on January 4, 2025.

Personal life

Anzalone is of Italian descent, and was born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.[27] Anzalone is a Christian.[28] He is married to Lindsey Anzalone.

References

  1. ^ "Alex Anzalone – Football". Florida Gators.
  2. ^ Carlton, Bailiegh (April 28, 2017). "2017 NFL Draft: Alex Anzalone drafted by Saints". Gator Country. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Lieser, Jason (February 3, 2017). "2017 NFL Draft: Florida Gators LB Alex Anzalone an option for Dolphins". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Solomon, Jon (September 20, 2016). "Reintroducing five-star Alex Anzalone, Florida's tenacious defensive supernova". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  5. ^ Erickson, Joel (February 22, 2017). "Florida's Alex Anzalone has the tools to fit NFL's new linebacker template if he can stay healthy". The Advocate. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Aschoff, Edward (August 24, 2016). "Florida's Alex Anzalone is back and ready to show who he really is in 2016". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Florida LB Alex Anzalone leaving early for NFL draft". Fox Sports. January 4, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Alex Anzalone". NFL.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  9. ^ "New Orleans Saints pick LB Alex Anzalone in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft". NewOrleansSaints.com. April 28, 2017.
  10. ^ "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  11. ^ "Spotrac.com: Alex Anzalone contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  12. ^ Erickson, Joel A. (October 4, 2017). "New Orleans Saints lose rookie linebacker Alex Anzalone to injured reserve". TheAdvocate.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Williams, Charean (September 16, 2019). "Saints place Alex Anzalone on injured reserve". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Lions sign LB Alex Anzalone and WR Damion Ratley". DetroitLions.com. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  18. ^ "Lions lose LB Alex Anzalone for the season with shoulder injury". DetroitNews.com. December 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Lions re-sign LB Alex Anzalone, S Jalen Elliott, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton and S C.J. Moore". DetroitLions.com. March 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  22. ^ "Report: Alex Anzalone agrees to three-year, $18.75 million deal to return to Lions". NBCSports.com. March 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  24. ^ Maakaron, John (January 4, 2024). "Five Lions selected for Pro Bowl Games, as NFL reveals Pro Bowlers, alternates". The Oakland Press. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Lions put Alex Anzalone on IR, sign David Long to practice squad". Yahoo Sports. November 18, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "Alex Anzalone 2024 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  27. ^ Murphy, Bryan (October 22, 2023). "Why NFL players are wearing flags on their helmets to promote 'International Diversity' during Week 7-8 games". Sporting News Canada. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  28. ^ "LIONS LB ALEX ANZALONE 'DRAWS CLOSER' TO GOD AS HE BALANCES FATHERHOOD, FOOTBALL". Movieguide. Retrieved November 22, 2024.