Tenoa Alex, Jackson State, UDFA Interview with Joe Gaiter

Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?

Tenoa Alex: Football means everything to me and it has taught me so much. It has taught me mental and physical toughness along with how to fight through adversity and discipline. It is part of the reason why I am the man I am today.

Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?

Tenoa Alex: I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was surrounded by loving family and friends that want to see me succeed. I had parents that worked hard and believed in me and my siblings in everything we did. I’m truly blessed to have them as parents. So all in all I had a good childhood.

Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories of Southern Lab High School?

Tenoa Alex: Some of my fondest memories where my first couple of months at the Lab and how all my teammates and coaches welcomed me with open arms after my previous school had shut down. Winning State in both football and track in the same year. The most memorable memory was signing day. That’s where it really hit me that I had accomplished a goal that I had set for myself since I could remember.

Joe Gaiter: Tell me about your recruitment experience?

Tenoa Alex: Going into the summer of my senior year my previous school had shut down which forced me to have to transfer to a new school which ended up being a blessing in disguise. I had zero offers going into my senior and end up with offers from Jackson state, Harding University, and a couple of smaller schools. My high school coaches were telling me that some bigger schools where asking about me, but it never turned into anything.

Joe Gaiter: Why did you choose Jackson State?

Tenoa Alex: Coach Germany and Coach Hicks made me feel comfortable on my home visit and when I took my official visit it just felt like a perfect fit. I loved the campus, the vibe the school had, and it was only a 2 hour and 30 minute drive home.

Joe Gaiter: What were your stats this year?

Tenoa Alex:

23 tackles
8 solo
2 PBU
1 INT
1 FF
1 FR

Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts about your team’s 4-8 2019 season?

Tenoa Alex: We had trouble with finishing and playing through adversity. We have had a tendency to get down on ourselves when something went wrong and we could never bring the energy back that we needed in order to win.

Joe Gaiter: How have you faced adversity on the team?

Tenoa Alex: I was not afforded the opportunities that I worked for and was constantly overlooked this past season.

Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?

Tenoa Alex: I have always been the underdog and always been overlooked. I’ve always had to prove myself. I have never been the biggest, strongest, or even the fastest person on my team but, I have always been the hardest working person and always had the most heart on my team. I just refuse to be outworked by anyone.

Joe Gaiter: What is game day like at Jackson State?

Tenoa Alex: Game day at Jackson is unbelievable and is fully of energy. From the time you wake up to the time you step on the field to play. The energy in the locker room would have this contagious vibe filled with confidence and excitement. Then running out of the tunnel with the Sonic Boom playing in the background along with hundreds of fans cheering is just an amazing experience. It’s an experience that you can’t forget.

Joe Gaiter: What motivates you on the field?

Tenoa Alex: Just knowing the work that I put in since I was 4 years old to be where I am. Knowing that there is a lot of people who would do anything to be in my position. Knowing that there’s people who don’t want to see me be successful. That’s what motivates me on the field.

Joe Gaiter: Why should any NFL/CFL team choose you?

Tenoa Alex: They should choose me because I can do a bit of everything. I can cover, tackle and play special teams. I can read offensive and get a feel for what they are doing. I have speed and I am willing to do anything on the field that would contribute to making the team better.

Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your proday?

Tenoa Alex: I didn’t get to have an official proday due to COVID-19, but I was able to film some of my proday drills and get some numbers. I bench 225 12 times, ran a 4.41 40, jumped 9’8 on broad jump, had a 33inch vertical, and ran 6.85 on the L drill. All in all I would give myself a B.

Joe Gaiter: Who is your agent and why did you choose them?

Tenoa Alex: My agent is Kecia Johnson. I choose her because I was already familiar with her and she helped my brother get to the XFL.

Joe Gaiter: What inspires you?

Tenoa Alex: What inspires me is knowing how hard my parents work. When I feel like I can’t go any more or whenever I don’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning for practice or weights, I always think about how my parents could have stayed in bed and not go to work but did so that they could provide for us.

Joe Gaiter: How has your track and field background helped you in football?

Tenoa Alex: I have been running track just as long as I’ve been playing ball and I can honestly say that track has help me a lot with football. It has helped me learn the limitations of my body and how hard I can push myself mentally. It also helped me with my speed and speed endurance. It also helps keep me in shape for football during the offseason. Being in football shape in one thing, but being in track shape is another. That’s why I have always ran track year around and it is why I did it in college. Track helped make me the football player I am today.

Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we need to look out for?

Tenoa Alex: You need to be in the lookout for Keonte Hampton, CJ Holmes, Warren Newman, PJ Weelock, Rasshad Jenkins, Kobe Gates, Kyland Richey, Kevin Berthey, Kahlil Arrington Vincent Macintosh, Tyler Casby and Elvia Payton. Those guy are special.

Joe Gaiter: What has been your biggest accomplishment?

Tenoa Alex: So far my biggest accomplishment is graduating from college. I will be the first male in my family to graduate from college.

Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?

Tenoa Alex:I want to be known as the guy that worked his tail off and took advantage of every chance that he got on the field. Kept everyone’s head up when they didn’t believe in themselves. Just an overall good teammate.

Joe Gaiter: Final Words?

Tenoa Alex: To THEE Jackson State, thank you for an amazing 4 years. To my team I love y’all boys and y’all my brothers for life. Remember to push each other everyday at practice to make each other better. We came in as strangers, but left at brothers.

Joe Gaiter: Shout outs?

Tenoa Alex: First and foremost Shout out to God. Without him none of this would have been possible. Shout out to my family, friends, and Teammates for supporting me theses last 4 years. Shout to my trainer Ken Anio at Fast.360 for improving my skills and helping me become a better player. Thank you to coach Reed, Coach Randall and Coach Rel. Thank you to Coach Germany for believing in me and to Coach Hicks for teaching me the game and how to play safety.