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Overview
One of the most electrifying players in college football, Alridge's playing attitude immediate made him a fan favorite. Despite his lack of ideal size, he powered his way for 2,595 yards on the ground during his career, averaging an impressive 7.15 yards per rushing attempt.
His receiving skills also made him a dangerous threat coming out of the backfield. In 2007, he boasted four games in which he scored both rushing and receiving. Alridge added to his resume as a kickoff returner, averaging 25.9 yards per attempt as a senior, as he piled up 2,258 all-purpose yards in his final campaign, an average of 173.7 yards per game.
At Denton High School, Alridge was selected to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal State Top 100 squad and was rated the 49th-best prospect in the area by the Dallas Morning News. Rivals.com rated him the 19th-best all-purpose back in nation. He was named honorable mention Class 4A All-State by the Associated Press.
Alridge was also selected to the Max Emfinger Texas Super All-State Team and was picked by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a third-team, All-State choice. He was named District 6-4A Offensive Player-of-the-Year after he rushed for 1,626-yards on 9.3 yards per carry and scored 27 touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 506-yards and had 189 yards on kickoff returns.
Alridge enrolled at the University of Houston in 2003, but spent the season on the scout team as a halfback. He left the school in 2004 to deal with personal issues back home after he was ruled academically ineligible. He returned to the team in 2005, playing in 12 games as a slot receiver. He hauled in 13 passes for 295 yards (22.7 avg) and three touchdowns. He gained 10 yards on two kickoff returns and 39 yards on nine rushing attempts (4.3 avg).
In 2006, Alridge earned second-team All-Conference USA recognition as a running back and honorable mention as a kickoff returner. He ranked 21st in the nation with an average of 131.14 all-purpose yards per game. He led the team with 959 yards and eight touchdowns on 95 carries, leading the NCAA with an average of 10.09 yards per attempt. He made 19 catches for 274 yards (14.4 avg) and a score, adding another touchdown when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. He averaged 22.3 yards on 27 kickoff returns, going on to amass 1,836 all-purpose yards.
As a senior, he again earned All-Conference USA second-team honors. He finished 14th in the nation in all-purpose yardage (173.9 ypg), tied for eighth in scoring (8.77 ppg) and 12th in rushing (122.85 ypg). Lining up at tailback, he carried 259 times for 1,597 yards (6.2 avg) and 14 touchdowns. He ranked third on the squad with 42 receptions for 428 yards (10.2 avg) and five scores. He also averaged 25.9 yards on nine kickoff returns, as he totaled 2,258 all-purpose yards.
Analysis
Positives: Lacks the size you want in a receiver and is certainly too small to be a tailback, but has a lean, muscular frame with good upper body definition and room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk with no lose in his blazing quickness … Has a tight abdomen and good lower body strength, surprising second-level defenders with his ability to break arm tackles … Dangerous threat any time he touches the ball, as he can go the distance from anywhere on the field, in any way he touches the ball -- rushes, catches, returns … Outstanding perimeter runner with the rare speed, explosion and second gear to beat most defenders to the end zone … Has excellent acceleration and a good concept for taking angles, changing speeds and redirecting in a flash … Shows natural hands and good ball skills to catch away from his frame … Possesses the ability to redirect and has sudden foot quickness … Has good lateral movement, but is more effective taking the ball and shooting right up the gaps, rather than try to dance around the backfield with it … Has good eyes, instincts, awareness, and alertness on the field … Loves to compete and is extremely tough for a guy who is so undersized … Responds to challenges and is the emotional leader on the team … .For a small athlete, he absorbs tackles well and will instantly bounce back up … Has outstanding initial quickness and exceptional vertical speed to get downfield … Shows good field awareness and vision as a runner … Looks to take the ball outside, but has the vision and instincts to see the field and turn it up if the cutback is there … Though he's a raw route-runner, he gains separation by using his exceptional playing speed and natural quickness … Has the ability to catch the ball on short routes and get upfield, showing the sudden short-area acceleration to beat angles and to pick up big gains … Catches the ball when given the opportunity, showing good hands to secure the ball without using his body as a crutch … Will run quick or vertical routes at the next level and has the speed to stretch the field, showing good hands and adequate ball skills to snare deep balls, but will struggle to make plays downfield due to his poor size … Has the ability to adjust to the ball and make the tough catch … Can quickly accelerate to pick up yards in a hurry and shows good elusiveness, but lacks playing strength and size to break tackles … As a kickoff returner, his rare explosive speed makes him a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball … Has rare burst and acceleration to get into the wedge and come out the other end, showing homerun ability … Durable athlete who has never missed a game due to injuries.
Negatives: Shows only adequate ability to adjust to the ball as a receiver … Gets by in the classroom, but has to work at it … Lines up in the slot and is uncovered when he splits out … Relies on his speed and quickness to release from the line because he is extremely small and has only adequate playing strength … Runs wheel routes and short-area control routes to get open … Lacks good playing strength and size to fight for tough yards and while he is willing, he struggles to out-combat defenders to catch the ball in a crowd … Struggles as a blocker due to his poor size and limited playing strength … As a kickoff returner, he lacks size and playing strength to break tackles … When he gets too tall in his stance, he is quickly impacted and pushed back into the rush lanes … Needs to do a better job of protecting the ball and distributing it away from the defender when running in the open … Will drop a few easy catches, as he tries to run before having the ball firmly in his hands … When he tries to get too creative, he loses focus on the defenders and can be attacked from behind.
Compares To: ROSCOE PARRISH-Buffalo … Alridge is not the typical receiver type and he does not have the bulk to be an every-down back. He is an efficient kickoff returner, but lacks the strength to power through tackles. Yet, as Conference USA teams found in 2007, if you give him an inch he will turn it into a big gain. With his explosion, look for him to continue to play on special teams, be used as a slot receiver and also get a few carries on third-down situations. He's six points waiting to happen, if he can bulk up, get stronger and translate his speed to the NFL football field.
Attended Denton (Texas) High School, playing football for head coach Fischer … Selected to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal State Top 100 squad and was rated the 49th-best prospect in the area by the Dallas Morning News. Rivals.com rated him the 19th-best all-purpose back in nation … Named honorable mention Class 4A All-State by the Associated Press … Selected to the Max Emfinger Texas Super All-State Team and was picked by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a third-team, All-State choice … Named District 6-4A Offensive Player of the Year after he rushed for 1,626-yards on 9.3 yards per carry and scored 27 touchdowns … Also caught 32 passes for 506-yards and had 189 yards on kickoff returns.
Personal
Sociology major … Son of Vincent and Lisa Alridge … Born Anthony E. Alridge on 11/24/83 … Resides in Denton, Texas.
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