Jay Alford

Last updated

Jay Alford
Alford 2008 BWscrimmage.jpg
Alford signing autographs at Penn State in 2008
No. 93, 94, 91
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1983-05-28) May 28, 1983 (age 41)
Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:304 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school: Orange (NJ)
College: Penn State
NFL draft: 2007  / Round: 3 / Pick: 81
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:18
Sacks:3.5
Pass deflections:1
Player stats at PFR  ·  CFL.ca (archive)

Jason Jamaal Alford (born May 28, 1983) is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Penn State.

Contents

Alford was also a member of the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Virginia Destroyers, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 2007, Alford served as the Giants' long snapper during field goal attempts, due to a season-ending injury to Ryan Kuehl. [1] Alford won Super Bowl XLII in his first season, sacking Tom Brady in the final minute of the Giants' 17–14 win over the New England Patriots.

Early life

Alford attended Orange High School about 30 minutes from Giants Stadium. He was a three-year starter who was selected First-team All-State, U.S. Army All-American and was listed among the G&W Recruiting Report Top 50 defensive players in the nation.

College career

Alford was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions. He played in 46 games with 41 starts for the Nittany Lions and recorded 118 tackles (60 solo), 32 tackles for losses and 19 sacks. He also recovered four fumbles, forced three fumbles, deflected 12 passes and registered three quarterback pressures. He was named Third-team All-America selection by the Associated Press and was All-Big Ten selection as a junior and senior. Alford finished his senior season with 32 tackles and eight sacks. Alford earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts from Penn State in 2006. He was selected for Penn State's Jim O’Hora Award which honors the defense's most improved player each season.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄8 in
(1.91 m)		304 lb
(138 kg)		5.19 s1.86 s3.01 s4.83 s7.81 s25+1⁄2 in
(0.65 m)		8 ft 7 in
(2.62 m)		24 reps
Bench press from Pro Day, all other values from NFL Combine. [2]

New York Giants

Alford's most memorable moment with the Giants was a devastating sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII. With less than one minute remaining in the game and the New England Patriots down 17–14 with possession of the ball, Alford sacked Brady resulting in a 3rd and 20 situation. The Giants went on to shock the previously undefeated Patriots 17–14 in what's widely considered one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history. As a rookie in 2007, Alford played in all 16 regular season games and all 4 postseason games. He was the snapper for field goals and extra points all season. He finished with 8 tackles (1 solo), 1 sack, 5 quarterback hurries and 2 quarterback hits. In 2008, he played in all 16 regular season games with 3 starts and played in the NFC Divisional Playoff game vs. Philadelphia. He finished with 26 tackles (9 solo), 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for losses, 4 quarterback hurries, 7 quarterback hits, and 1 pass defensed. Alford missed the 2009 NFL season after he tore his MCL and partially tore his ACL in the preseason. He was waived on September 4, 2010.

Oakland Raiders

On September 8, 2010, Alford signed with the Oakland Raiders. He was waived on October 6.

Seattle Seahawks

He then spent the following offseason with the Seattle Seahawks, but did not make the final roster.

Virginia Destroyers

Alford signed with the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL. It was the Destroyers' inaugural season in the UFL, and Alford helped lead them to a victory in the 2011 UFL Championship Game over the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Locos. [3] The win gives Alford a championship in both the NFL and UFL.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Alford signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League on June 17, 2012. [4]

Alford was cut June 25, 2012 in training camp, but was re-signed on August 7, 2012. [5] He played in 10 regular season games for the Roughriders during the 2012 season, making 11 tackles and two sacks. [6]

He was released by the team on May 23, 2013.

Personal life

Alford was born in Orange, New Jersey and raised by his grandmother. [7] He was a standout player at Orange High School, where he was named All-State, a U.S. Army All-American, and was listed among the G&W Recruiting Report Top 50 defensive players in the nation. Alford also was named to the Prep Star Dream Team. [8]

On February 29, 2008, Alford was awarded the City of Orange Township's Key to the City. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XLII</span> 2008 National Football League championship game

Super Bowl XLII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2007 season. The game was played on February 3, 2008, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Despite New England being heavily favored heading into the game, the Giants defeated the Patriots by the score of 17–14. The game is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the history of professional North American sports, as well as one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Light</span> American football player (born 1978)

Matthew Charles Light is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 11-year career as an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers. He was picked by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tuck</span> American football player (born 1983)

Justin Lee Tuck is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame, and was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft, winning two Super Bowl titles with the team, both against the New England Patriots. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. Tuck graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business with an MBA in 2018. He is now an employee of Goldman Sachs.

Courtney Lanair Brown is an American former football defensive end who played for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning consensus All-American honors in 1999. He was selected by the Browns with the first overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft. He also played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Joseph (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

William Joseph is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes before being selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. He finished his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders.

John Coleman Hufnagel is a special advisor for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has previously served as the Stampeders' President, General Manager, Head Coach, and Offensive Coordinator. He played quarterback for fifteen professional seasons in the CFL and National Football League (NFL). Prior to his hiring to the Stampeders on December 3, 2007, he was the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants of the NFL.

Reggie Jermaine Torbor is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Auburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zak DeOssie</span> American football player (born 1984)

Zackary Robert DeOssie is an American former football long snapper who played for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Brown Bears and was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft as a linebacker. He was a twice Pro Bowl selection as a long snapper. DeOssie won two Super Bowls with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII and the Super Bowl XLVI, both over his hometown New England Patriots. He is the son of former NFL linebacker Steve DeOssie; the two hold the distinction of being the only father-son duo to win Super Bowls with the same franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Dahl</span> American football player (born 1985)

Craig Dahl is a former American football safety who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at North Dakota State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Wake</span> American gridiron football player (born 1982)

Derek Cameron Wake is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Penn State Nittany Lions, and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

Tony Taylor is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Hull</span> American football player (born 1987)

Joshua Lynn Hull is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for Penn State.

Eric Norwood is a former American football defensive end. He was most recently a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL from 2013 to 2015. He formerly played for the University of South Carolina. During his collegiate career, he set school career records in tackles for loss (54.5) and quarterback sacks (29). With numerous conference and national honors, Norwood is one of the most decorated defensive players in SEC history and has drawn comparisons to James Harrison. Norwood was considered a top linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL draft; he was selected in the fourth round, 124 overall by the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Fulton</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Xavier Allen Fulton is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football at Illinois.

Gregory M. Jones II is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans, and was a two-time All-American selection. He was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft, and won the Super Bowl XLVI with them. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans of the NFL, the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, and the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Johnson (defensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Austin Hunter Johnson is an American professional football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State, and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keishawn Bierria</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Keishawn Bierria is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington. Bierria was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL); the Edmonton Elks, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL); and the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

Trysten Hill is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCF.

Nick Coe is an American professional football defensive end for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL). He has also been a member of the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins and Orlando Guardians. Coe played college football for the Auburn Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrett Marino</span> Canadian football player (born 1994)

Garrett Scott Marino is an American football defensive lineman for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

References

  1. ↑ Ken Palmer (August 28, 2007). "Strahan Decision Forthcoming". Scout.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Jay Alford, DS #11 DT, Penn State". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Virginia Destroyers of UFL give Marty Schottenheimer first pro title". ESPN.com.
  4. ↑ "Roughrider Roster Moves". Saskatchewan Roughriders. June 17, 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Riders sign two". Saskatchewan Roughriders. August 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 142. ISBN   978-0983513667.
  7. ↑ "Alford Meets the Media". Scout.com. April 29, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Giants.com - The Official Website of the New York Giants".
  9. ↑ "Orange embraces Alford, its NY Giant". NJ.com.
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.