Virginia Tech has dismissed cornerback Adonis Alexander from its football program due to academic issues, as Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times writes. Now, Alexander will enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, according to agent Andy Ross (on Twitter).
“We wish Adonis the very best as he determines the next steps he wishes to pursue,” head coach Justin Fuente said in a press release.
Alexander’s tenure at Virginia Tech was marred by off-the-field issues. The senior missed three games over the course of his collegiate career due to suspensions and at least one of those bans stemmed from marijuana use. In April, he was forced to watch spring practice from the sidelines as he was ordered to focus on his studies.
As a freshman in 2015, Alexander impressed scouts as he intercepted four passes at the safety position. He followed up with a strong sophomore campaign, but he found himself at odds with coaches in 2017 and was hit with a two-game ban for not living up to the “expectations” of Fuente. He was also held back by a hamstring injury suffered in November.
The supplemental draft allows teams to select players who, for one reason or another, were barred from entering the regular draft in the spring. When a team selects a player in the supplemental draft, they forfeit the corresponding pick in the regular draft next year.
It remains to be seen whether a team will sacrifice a 2019 draft pick in order to take a flier on Alexander, who has lots of baggage to go along with his size and talent. No team has made a selection in the supplemental draft in the last three years.
Can he sign as an UDFA or does he have to wait for next year?
Supplemental draft, if nobody picks him he can sign as an UDFA.
Thanks!