Alex Anzalone

BIOGRAPHY

Alex Anzalone was born September 22, 1994, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. He is a linebacker in the National Football League.

He played college football at Florida. Anzalone helped Wyomissing High School to its first Class AA state championship in 2012, finishing 16-0, a school single-season record for wins. He was selected to the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game. Anzalone finished his senior year with over 1,000 rushing yards and 30 TDs and registered over 100 tackles. He earned a spot on the 247Sports Class of 2013 All-America team and was named 2012 Class AA Player of the Year as part of Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State team. As a junior, Anzalone was named first-team All-State, All-Region and All-County. In 2011, he ran for over 900 yards, scored 13 touchdowns and was named to All-State team.

Anzalone played in 32 games at the University of Florida with ten starts. He finished his college career with 75 tackles, three sacks, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. As senior, Anzalone ranked third on the Gators with 53 tackles in 2016, starting first eight games. He also tallied three sacks, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Anzalone was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. As a sophomore, Anzalone played in all 12 games as a backup linebacker and on special teams. Anzaolone earned the team’s Chris Patrick Courage Award and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. 

A tall, lean, muscular athlete with the ability to play multiple positions, Anzalone made an immediate impact for New Orleans after being drafted in third round of the 2017 NFL Draft (76th overall) out of Florida. Anzalone bounced back from a season ending shoulder injury in 2017. He played in all 16 regular season games with seven starts on the inside and the outside in 2018, filling up the stat sheet by posting 59 tackles (45 solo), one interception, two sacks, two passes defensed and a team-best three forced fumbles. The talented linebacker looks to build off a solid sophomore campaign heading into 2019.

Anzalone signed with the Detroit Lions on March 24, 2021. 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.

On September 11, 2021, Anzalone re-signed with the Lions. 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.

In March 2022, Anzalone re-signed with the Lions.

On March 13, 2023, Anzalone signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Lions.