Alex Erickson

Last updated

Alex Erickson
Alex Erickson.JPG
Erickson with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1992-11-06) November 6, 1992 (age 31)
Darlington, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Darlington
College: Wisconsin (2012–2015)
Position: Wide receiver & Return specialist
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:112
Receiving yards:1,373
Rushing yards:78
Return yards:4,032
Total touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Alex Michael Erickson (born November 6, 1992) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Erickson has also been a member of the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Commanders.

Contents

Early life

At Darlington High School, Erickson rushed for 3,856 yards and 57 touchdowns, passed for 3,648 yards and 37 touchdowns and recorded 170 tackles and 14 interceptions. [1] He was chosen to play in the WFCA All-Star game as a senior and was named the Wisconsin State Journal Small School Player of the Year. [2] He was first-team all-state as defensive back and first-team all-conference as defensive back and quarterback after gaining 2,489 yards of total offense (1,239 rushing and 1,250 passing), scoring 33 touchdowns (20 rushing and 13 passing) and making 50 tackles with three interceptions. [3]

College career

Erickson with Wisconsin in 2015 Alex Erickson Wisconsin.jpg
Erickson with Wisconsin in 2015

Erickson lettered three years at Wisconsin, finishing his career ranked 10th in school history with 1,877 receiving yards and ranked sixth all-time with 141 career receptions. [4] [5] In the 2013 season, he had nine receptions for 127 receiving yards in seven games. [6] The next season, his role in the offense expanded with 55 receptions for 772 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 13 games. [7] For his senior season, he caught 77 passes (second in school history) for 978 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns and he was named first-team All-Big Ten Conference (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches), and Academic All-Big Ten (for the third consecutive year). [8] [9]

Statistics

Wisconsin Badgers
SeasonGPReceiving
RecYdsAvgTD
2013 7912714.10
2014 135577214.03
2015 137797812.73
Career 301411,87713.36

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		195 lb
(88 kg)		30+1⁄4 in
(0.77 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.54 s1.57 s2.60 s4.10 s6.68 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		14 reps
Sources: [10] [11]

Cincinnati Bengals

Erickson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016. [12] [13] He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bengals' final roster. [14]

He started the season as the team's primary kick returner and punt returner, a spot he continued throughout the season, and as a backup receiver. [15] For the season, he had 6 catches for 71 yards, and averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 7.0 yards per punt return. [16] His 810 kickoff return yards led the NFL in that category. [17]

On November 19, 2017, Erickson recorded his first NFL touchdown, scoring on a 29-yard pass from Andy Dalton during the Bengals 20–17 victory over the Denver Broncos. [18] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 12 receptions for 180 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown to go along with 32 kick returns for 663 net yards and 39 punt returns for 278 net yards. [19]

On September 8, 2018, Erickson signed a two-year contract extension with the Bengals through the 2020 season. [20] He finished the 2018 season with 20 receptions for 187 yards. [21]

Erickson posted his first career 100+ receiving yard game on October 20, 2019, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he finished with 137 receiving yards as the Bengals lost 17–27. [22] Overall, Erickson finished the 2019 season with 43 receptions for 529 receiving yards. [23]

Houston Texans

Erickson signed with the Houston Texans on March 30, 2021. [24] He was released on August 31, 2021. [25]

Carolina Panthers

Erickson signed with the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers on September 6, 2021, signing to their active roster a week later. [26]

Washington Commanders

Erickson signed with the Washington Commanders on May 4, 2022. [27] He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day. [28] [29] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, [30] and was released on May 12, 2023. [31]

New York Jets

On July 20, 2023, Erickson signed with the New York Jets. [32] He was released on August 29, 2023. [33]

Los Angeles Chargers

On August 31, 2023, Erickson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. [34] He was signed to the active roster on December 2. [35]

Personal life

He married in 2017. [36] Erickson graduated from Wisconsin in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business management. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owen Daniels</span> American football player (born 1982)

Owen Gerald Daniels is a former football player. He played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. As a member of the Broncos, he helped the team win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Green</span> American football player (born 1988)

Adriel Jeremiah Green is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-American honors. Green was selected by the Bengals with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, where he spent 10 seasons prior to joining the Arizona Cardinals for two years. In 2023, Green signed a one-day deal with the Bengals, and officially retired as a member of the Cincinnati organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keenan Allen</span> American football player (born 1992)

Keenan Alexander Allen is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears before leaving after his junior year. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James White (running back)</span> American football player (born 1992)

James Calvin White is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. A three-time Super Bowl winner, White was primarily used as a receiver. He set the Super Bowl records for receptions and points scored in Super Bowl LI. He also holds the record for the most receptions in a playoff game, achieved in the 2018–19 AFC Divisional Round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giovani Bernard</span> American football player (born 1991)

Giovani Govan Bernard is an American former football running back who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, spending 8 seasons with the team. After being released by the Bengals after the 2020 season, he then played 2 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Jones (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Marvin Lewis Jones Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and has also played for the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Benjamin</span> American football player (born 1989)

Travis Benjamin is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of Miami. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyreek Hill</span> American football player (born 1994)

Tyreek Hill is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Hill was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at Garden City, Oklahoma State, and West Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex Burkhead</span> American football player (born 1990)

Rex Burkhead is a former American football running back. He played college football at Nebraska and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. After four seasons with the Bengals, Burkhead spent his next four seasons with the New England Patriots, where he appeared in consecutive Super Bowls and won Super Bowl LIII. Burkhead joined the Houston Texans in 2021, spending two seasons with them before retiring in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melvin Gordon</span> American football player (born 1993)

Melvin Gordon III is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Doak Walker Award as the top college running back in 2013. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 15th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1994)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Michael K. Williams is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers seventh overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Uzomah</span> American football (NFL) player (born 1993)

Christopher James Uzomah is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Watt</span> American football player (born 1992)

Derek John Watt is a former American football fullback. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His older brother is J. J. Watt, and his younger brother is Steelers linebacker T. J. Watt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Anderson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Stephen Todd Anderson Jr. is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at California and signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He has also played for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Kittle</span> American football player (born 1993)

George Krieger Kittle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Ekeler</span> American football player (born 1995)

Austin Ekeler is an American football running back for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Colorado Mountaineers and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayden Hurst</span> American football player (born 1993)

Hayden Randle Hurst is an American football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Chark</span> American football player (born 1996)

Darrell Demont "D. J." Chark Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tee Higgins</span> American football player (born 1999)

Tamaurice William "Tee" Higgins is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson, where he won the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship as a sophomore, and was selected by the Bengals with the first pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Jacobs</span> American football player (born 1998)

Joshua Jacobs is an American football running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Jacobs rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, while being named to NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019 and to his first Pro Bowl in 2020. In 2022, he led the league in rushing yards with 1,653 and became the first Raider since 1985 to surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards. After five years with the Raiders, Jacobs signed with the Packers in 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Potrykus, Jeff (August 29, 2013). "UW's Alex Erickson goes from walk-on to fourth receiver". JS Online. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  2. ↑ Hernandez, Rob (December 5, 2010). "Prep football Small Schools Player of the Year: Alex Erickson, Darlington". Madison.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Alex Erickson | Football". Wisconsin Badgers Athletics. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Alex Erickson College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Wisconsin Badgers Receiving". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Alex Erickson". Wisconsin Athletics. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ "2016 Draft Scout Alex Erickson, Wisconsin NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2016 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Former Badgers receiver Erickson fitting in with Bengals". FOX Sports. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  13. ↑ Harvey, Coley (August 13, 2016). "As Bengals' WR race heats up, get to know the elusive Alex Erickson". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Alex Erickson". www.bengals.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Alex Erickson, the coolest story in Cincy". Buckys5thQuarter.com. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  17. ↑ "2016 NFL Kick & Punt Returns". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos - November 19th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  20. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy (September 8, 2018). "Bengals sign returner Alex Erickson to extension". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Minshew, defense lead Jaguars over winless Bengals 27-17". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 20, 2019. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Alex Erickson 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-30-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. ↑ Gantt, Darin (September 6, 2021). "Panthers place guard John Miller on reserve/COVID-19 list". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Commanders sign WR Alex Erickson". Commanders.com. May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Commanders cut 25 players, place 3 on IR". Commanders.com. August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Commanders announce practice squad". Commanders.com. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Commanders sign 9 players to Reserve/Future contracts". Commanders.com. January 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  31. ↑ Manning, Bryan (May 12, 2023). "Commanders release 2 players Friday". Commanders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ↑ Greenberg, Ethan (July 20, 2023). "Jets Sign WR Alex Erickson and S Dane Cruikshank". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  33. ↑ Lange, Randy; Greenberg, Ethan (August 29, 2023). "Final Cuts: Jets Move 31 More to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  34. ↑ @chargers (August 31, 2023). "we've signed WR alex erickson, S dean marlowe and TE nick vannett to the practice squad" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ↑ "Chargers Sign Alex Erickson to Active Roster; Elevate Stephen Anderson". Chargers.com. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  36. ↑ Toback, Rebecca (July 18, 2017). "Video: Must see moment from Alex Erickson's wedding". Cincy Jungle. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Alex Erickson". Wisconsin Athletics. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.