Broad Run Alum Field Headed To The NFL
During his high school career, Alex Field graced the cover of Gameday Magazine and was a 2 time All Gameday player...
Photo By: Gameday Magazine
ASHBURN, VA - The NFL Draft came and went this weekend in New York City, and by Sunday's end, a former Dulles District competitor had added his name to the professional ranks, as Broad Run graduate Alex Field agreed to a three year contract as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants.
"I heard from about 11 teams in the week leading up to the draft. As the last picks were coming in during the seventh round, the Giants called me up and offered me a free agent deal," said Field, 22, of Ashburn.
Field terrorized opposing backfields during his three seasons as a varsity defensive end for the Broad Run Spartans. He was a two time All-Gameday selection, and was named the Dulles District Defensive Player of the Year during his junior season, when he notched 11 sacks and was also a unanimous first team selection at tight end.
Field's accomplishments netted him a scholarship with the Virginia Cavaliers, where he has played for the past four seasons. He saw time in five games as a true freshman, and served as a valuable backup for All Americans Chris Long and Jeffery Fitzgerald in 2006 and 2007. Field took sole possession of the starting job this past year and recorded 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Field began preparing for the NFL immediately following the end of his senior year.
"After the season ended, I was training in Richmond for about 8 weeks leading up to Pro Day at UVA. After that, I split time between training in both Charlottesville and Northern Virginia, spending some time at home and getting ready for everything," said Field of his path to Draft Day.
Standing at 6'7 and weighing 275 pounds, Field holds the size and athletic ability that pro scouts look for in a defensive lineman. He will join Giant stalwarts Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck at the position once training camp starts.
Field not only possesses the physical gifts to play professionally, but also has advice coming from people who are very experienced in the ways of the NFL. UVA head coach Al Groh, who has served stints as an assistant under Bill Parcells and as head coach of the New York Jets, has first-hand insight as to what coaches look for in a productive player.
Field said Groh told him to "Just work hard every day. Do everything they ask of you and more. Go after special teams hard because that's one of the best ways to make the 53 man roster."
Former Cavalier and current St. Louis Ram's defensive end Chris Long also gave Field some pointers on how to succeed in the NFL. "He told me to take note of the veterans and how they compete. Model yourself after them and how they approach their job and come to work every day."
When Field heads up to Albany for Rookie Camp on May 7th, he will do so with a former teammate in the locker room. Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim was drafted by the Giants with the 45th pick in the second round on Saturday, which Field admits is a "Nice little bonus going into camp. It's going to be cool to have a familiar face there with me."
Either way, Field won't be alone heading into camp. The entire Ashburn community will have his back and will be supporting him as he begins his football career at the highest possible level.
