Rising Prospect Watch: Class of 2027 DB Kohen Alexander

Written By: Logan Whitson

Kohen Alexander is a 5 '10”, 170-pound defensive back from Baytown, Texas, who plays for St. Thomas Catholic, just east of Houston.

While Kohen may only stand at 5 '10”, he has consistently shown the ability to take on wide receivers with a size and height advantage, going step for step with them and displaying impressive ball denial skills. Alexander has an exceptionally smooth backpedal at the snap of the ball, maintaining strong eye discipline in case the quarterback escapes the pocket, yet never allowing it to hinder his ability to stay stride for stride with his coverage responsibility.

Alexander demonstrates the ability to quickly break from his backpedal to make a play on the ball when his man runs a short route. He also transitions fluidly from his backpedal to running stride for stride on downfield routes, showing great timing with his hands to break up passes without risking a pass interference penalty.

When using inside leverage on a boundary receiver, Alexander effectively utilizes the sideline as an extra defender, forcing the quarterback to throw into a tight window that requires pinpoint accuracy. He excels in press man coverage, man coverage, and zone coverage alike. In press man situations, Alexander uses his hands effectively at the snap to jam the wide receiver, delaying his release while maintaining excellent body positioning to make the catch difficult.

In man coverage, he demonstrates strong eye discipline, reading both the quarterback and the play to determine whether it is a pass or run, allowing him to react quickly and make a play on the ball or the ball carrier. Alexander also performs very well in zone coverage, where his awareness and anticipation allow him to close space efficiently and disrupt passing lanes.

As a run defender, Alexander shows great toughness and sound tackling fundamentals. He is skilled at making quick run fits from coverage, using solid technique and leg drive to finish tackles—preventing ball carriers from gaining extra yards or escaping contact. Once he diagnoses a run play, regardless of the coverage, he displays excellent recognition and breaks downhill decisively to bring down the ball carrier.

Overall, Alexander’s skill set is extremely impressive. From his ability to jam receivers off the line and transition fluidly into coverage, to his quick recognition and tackling ability in the run game, he displays the complete package of a high-level defensive back.

With continued performance and consistency, it is only a matter of time before college programs begin to take notice of the high-level ball skills and football IQ that Alexander brings to the field.

As coaches continue to see his tape and his ability to lock down receivers of all sizes, Kohen Alexander will undoubtedly become one of the more sought-after defensive backs in the state of Texas.