Howland standout chooses Indiana

Brandon Alexander is a defensive back and wide receiver.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- A month from now, Howland senior Brandon Alexander expects to make a big impact in the defensive backfield.
A year from now, he has the same goal.
Alexander, who verbally committed to play football at Indiana University, has high hopes with the Hoosiers.
"Hopefully when I go, I'll get to start," Alexander said. "I've always wanted to play in the Big Ten."
Alexander, a 6-foot, 1-inch, 180-pound cornerback, led the Tigers with six interceptions last season and added 36 tackles and eight knockdowns. He also plays receiver.
"He's a great corner," Howland coach Dick Angle said. "He's a good athlete and he works hard."
List grows
Alexander is the second Tiger to commit to a Big Ten school this offseason -- cornerback Tony Davis committed to Penn State -- and the fourth Howland player in two years.
Running back Maurice Smith, a senior last season, went to Michigan State and offensive lineman Doug Datish went to Ohio State after the 2001 season.
"I think it's our program," Angle, who previously coached at Ursuline, said. "Our program has always been successful anywhere it's implicated.
"The kids work hard in the offseason. It's a year-round program and it raises the athleticism of the players."
Alexander, who also plays receiver, will major in broadcasting. He said he committed early so he could focus on his senior year.
"I just wanted to get it out of the way," he said. "There's a lot of pressure if you're sitting around your senior year wondering where you should go."
Alexander also considered Minnesota.
"I really liked the school and the coaches," he said of Indiana. "The coaches were real good people. Real down to earth."
Future recruits
At least two other Howland players could earn Division I scholarships this season, Angle said. Tight end Chris Kenney is being recruited by several Mid-American Conference schools, including Miami and Bowling Green. Defensive tackle Brad Samsa is getting looks from Stanford, Oregon and Miami (Ohio).
All that talent could bode well for the Tigers, who have made the playoffs the past two seasons.
"We'll be back in the playoffs," Alexander said. "And if everything goes right, we'll hopefully win a state title."
scalzo@vindy.com