Kiko Alonso: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Oregon ILB

Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso is a versatile chess piece on defense. He's an explosive force of nature, raw and intense, highly effective inside and outside. He boasts a powerful frame, with a rare type of aggression that gives him the necessary tools to succeed at the professional level. 

Alonso shows great awareness and patience on the field. He has excellent coverage skills, superb timing, great instincts and unbelievable determination.

Here are five things you need to know about Oregon's Kiko Alonso. 

Background

Full Name: Kristian Alonso

Birthday: August 4, 1990

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts

High School: Los Gatos (Los Gatos, California)

Major: Sociology

Year: Senior

Alonso was an avid baseball player as a kid. In fact, he's been referred to as a little league legend. He inherited his love of baseball from his father, who was born in Cuba and grew up in Puerto Rico. Alonso switched to football when he got bigger.

Statistics

2009: 12 games, 16 tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble

2010: DNP

2011: 12 games, 46 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a pair of picks

2012: 12 games, 81 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four picks, two forced fumbles and one sack 

 

Alonso missed 2010 from a DUI-related suspension while simultaneously rehabbing his torn ACL.

He bounced back and became an extremely effective defender for Oregon, demonstrating a knack for creating turnovers and stuffing offenses. He also showed a fearless streak, routinely playing his best football during some of the biggest games of his career. 

 

Statistics from GoDucks.com

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 238 pounds

Arm Length: 32.125"

Hand Size: 9.75"

Pro Day Results

40-Yard Dash: 4.74 seconds

Vertical Jump: 30.5"

Broad Jump: 9'9"

Alonso elected to skip his combine drills to recover from a wrist injury. When his pro day arrived, people were curious to see how he'd perform.

He didn't disappoint. He was quick and nimble, which contrasted nicely with his massive, bulky frame. He's a complex physical specimen, made all the more intriguing by his athletic grace. 

Measurables sourced from NFL.com

Pro Day results sourced from Walter Football.

Interesting Facts

Alonso was arrested for a DUI in 2010. He was also arrested in 2011 for an alcohol-related break-in. 

Alonso was named Defensive Player of the Game in the Ducks' Rose Bowl victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. He tallied five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pick.

Observations

Alonso plays with confidence. He has incredible instincts and terrific anticipatory skills—great reactionary skills, as well. He throttles offenses, creates turnovers, makes plays and electrifies a crowd. Special teams value makes him a well-rounded package.

NFL.com describes Alonso's strengths:

"

Versatile inside linebacker with potential to play either middle linebacker (in a 4-3 or 3-4 base defense) or outside linebacker (in a 4-3). Attacks that blocker with the correct shoulder, and powerful hands. Moves forward quickly. Times his blitzes well. Fast enough to keep up with running backs on quick swings in the flats. Shows good awareness when asked to drop into a variety of different coverage situations. High effort player who has a motor that is constantly running. Flashes quick penetrating ability at the goal line, stays tight to the A gap and wraps up. Attacks with intensity.

"

This kid has a bright future in the NFL.