⚡ CFB Dashboard

Senior Linebacker Xe'Ree Alexander is a part of the deepest position group on the team. He is a defensive leader and he's very excited about the Husky defense heading into year two under Ryan Walters. He met with the media on Tuesday following practice and said this about the progress of the defense... On if there was a moment when things really started to click for him last year "I've just got to give a shout out to coach (Brian) Odom and coach Walters. Coming in early and getting extra time of film, but I've just really have to give it all to them because they helped me out throughout the whole process." On why he decided to come back to Washington "The development for sure. Coach Odom is super-smart, coach 'Walt' is really smart, I feel like they can get me to the next level." On growing into his role and gradually earning a starting role "I feel like I was a starter from the beginning of the season with special teams. You gotta start somewhere. Just getting comfortable in the position. I've basically played three positions, so just getting comfortable where I can fit into the defense and give back to the team and my boys." On the advantages of staying at Washington for his second season after transferring twice in two years "From seeing everything from last year, with the year I had and the year we had as a team, I feel like we can go really far this year, so just seeing everything, the development I've had, the work that I've put in, it will contribute to the team this year. I feel like we can go really far so that's what I was really excited for, to see the future." On where the defense has improved "I'd say everywhere. Coverage, the run game, you can name anything. I think we've improved everywhere. A lot of guys are gone, but a lot of young guys have stepped up. I feel like Ramzak (Fruean) will play this year and other guys, everything's improved. I feel like we're going to be a great defense this year." On the confidence level on defense in year two under Walters "Oh it's through the roof. We honestly feel like we can be a top 10 defense in the nation. The confidence is amazing." On the defense buying in to the playmaking and takeaway aspects of things "I think it's great. It's amazing. Coach AVH (Aaron Van Horn) installed punching out the ball, getting takeaways, and everybody likes to put in 110% toward that and it's amazing." On his comfort-level with the defense in year two "Way more comfortable. I understand more now than I did last year. It's going to help the whole defense. Us older guys, we all understand it more and that helps with the younger guys." On his size now and the difference it makes in his play "I was like 215, 220 (last year at this time). I gotta give a shoutout to (the strength staff) for helping me get this big. I would say the strength overall, the speed is still the same, but the strength is the biggest part. It only took like four months to put it on, but I didn't feel too rushed to put it on. It was something I wanted to do. Coming from the Big Sky (Idaho) and then to the Big 12 (UCF), I feel like in the Big Ten you have to have more size to go against these bigger guys." On what he saw when Jacob Manu and Zaydrius Rainey-Sale started practicing full time last year and how they would help the defense "I feel like they bring the energy with more depth, but also the love that we bring for each other. I feel like everything went through the roof." On the competition and if he cares who starts "I don't think I will really care that much. We're all really great players and we could all get to the next level. That's up to the coaches. We're all going to be on the field, so I really don't care (who starts)."