Alex Michael Erickson (born November 6, 1992) is an American professional footballwide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Erickson has also been a member of the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots.

Early life

At Darlington High School, Erickson rushed for 3,856 yards and 57 touchdowns, passed for 3,648 yards and 37 touchdowns and recorded 170 tackles and 14 interceptions.[1] He was chosen to play in the WFCA All-Star game as a senior and was named the Wisconsin State Journal Small School Player of the Year.[2] He was first-team all-state as defensive back and first-team all-conference as defensive back and quarterback after gaining 2,489 yards of total offense (1,239 rushing and 1,250 passing), scoring 33 touchdowns (20 rushing and 13 passing) and making 50 tackles with three interceptions.[3]

College career

Erickson with Wisconsin in 2015

Erickson lettered three years at Wisconsin, finishing his career ranked 10th in school history with 1,877 receiving yards and ranked sixth all-time with 141 career receptions.[4][5] In the 2013 season, he had nine receptions for 127 receiving yards in seven games.[6] The next season, his role in the offense expanded with 55 receptions for 772 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 13 games.[7] For his senior season, he caught 77 passes (second in school history) for 978 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns and he was named first-team All-Big Ten Conference (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches), and Academic All-Big Ten (for the third consecutive year).[8][9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in(1.83 m)195 lb(88 kg)30+1⁄4 in(0.77 m)9+1⁄4 in(0.23 m)4.54 s1.57 s2.60 s4.10 s6.68 s34.5 in(0.88 m)9 ft 8 in(2.95 m)14 reps
Sources:[10][11]

Cincinnati Bengals

Erickson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2016.[12][13] He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bengals' final roster.[14]

He started the season as the team's primary kick returner and punt returner, a spot he continued throughout the season, and as a backup receiver.[15] For the season, he had 6 catches for 71 yards, and averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 7.0 yards per punt return.[16] His 810 kickoff return yards led the NFL in that category.[17]

On November 19, 2017, Erickson recorded his first NFL touchdown, scoring on a 29-yard pass from Andy Dalton during the Bengals 20–17 victory over the Denver Broncos.[18] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 12 receptions for 180 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown to go along with 32 kick returns for 663 net yards and 39 punt returns for 278 net yards.[19]

On September 8, 2018, Erickson signed a two-year contract extension with the Bengals through the 2020 season.[20] He finished the 2018 season with 20 receptions for 187 yards.[21]

Erickson posted his first career 100+ receiving yard game on October 20, 2019, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he finished with 137 receiving yards as the Bengals lost 17–27.[22] Overall, Erickson finished the 2019 season with 43 receptions for 529 receiving yards.[23]

Houston Texans

Erickson signed with the Houston Texans on March 30, 2021.[24] He was released on August 31, 2021.[25]

Carolina Panthers

Erickson signed with the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers on September 6, 2021, signing to their active roster a week later.[26]

Washington Commanders

Erickson signed with the Washington Commanders on May 4, 2022.[27] He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[28][29] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023,[30] and was released on May 12, 2023.[31]

New York Jets

On July 20, 2023, Erickson signed with the New York Jets.[32] He was released on August 29, 2023.[33]

Los Angeles Chargers

On August 31, 2023, Erickson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.[34] He was signed to the active roster on December 2.[35]

New England Patriots

On December 18, 2024, the New England Patriots signed Erickson to their practice squad.[36]

Houston Texans (second stint)

On January 15, 2025, Erickson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[37]

Career statistics

NFL

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Punt returns Kick returns
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTD
2016CIN16067111.8200—————281957.02402981027.9840
2017CIN1601218015.03715163.2140392787.12903266320.7410
2018CIN166201678.42803227.31402021210.6380401,04926.2770
2019CIN1664352912.35205336.6170251576.317047919.8260
2020CIN1621213911.6420571.4702323210.129037123.7240
2021CAR17035518.3250—————232048.922025728.5390
2022WAS20——————————4256.3130—————
2023LAC831623214.5271———————————————
2024NE30——————————44110.3260410626.5340
Career110171121,37312.352218784.31701661,3448.13801142,83524.9840

College

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing
GPGSRecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTD
2012WisconsinRedshirtedRedshirt
2013Wisconsin133912714.1011212.00
2014Wisconsin14135577214.03310.30
2015Wisconsin13127797812.73711115.90
Career40281411,87713.361112411.30

Personal life

He married in 2017.[38] Erickson graduated from Wisconsin in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business management.[39]

References

  1. ^Potrykus, Jeff (August 29, 2013). "UW's Alex Erickson goes from walk-on to fourth receiver". JS Online. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  2. ^Hernandez, Rob (December 5, 2010). "Prep football Small Schools Player of the Year: Alex Erickson, Darlington". Madison.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  3. ^"Alex Erickson | Football". Wisconsin Badgers Athletics. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  4. ^"Alex Erickson College Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  5. ^"Wisconsin Badgers Receiving". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  6. ^"Alex Erickson 2013 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  7. ^"Alex Erickson 2014 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  8. ^"Alex Erickson 2015 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  9. ^"Alex Erickson". Wisconsin Athletics. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ^"2016 Draft Scout Alex Erickson, Wisconsin NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  11. ^"Alex Erickson 2016 NFL Draft Profile". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  12. ^"Former Badgers receiver Erickson fitting in with Bengals". FOX Sports. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  13. ^Harvey, Coley (August 13, 2016). "As Bengals' WR race heats up, get to know the elusive Alex Erickson". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  14. ^"Alex Erickson". www.bengals.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  15. ^"Alex Erickson, the coolest story in Cincy". Buckys5thQuarter.com. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  16. ^"Alex Erickson 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  17. ^ „NFL Kick & Punt Returns 2016“ . Pro Football Reference . Archiviert vom Original am 28. April 2018. Abgerufen am 27. April 2018 .
  18. ^ „Cincinnati Bengals gegen Denver Broncos – 19. November 2017“ . Pro Football Reference . Archiviert vom Original am 18. August 2020. Abgerufen am 15. März 2019 .
  19. ^ „Alex Erickson 2017 Game Log“ . Pro Football Reference . Archiviert vom Original am 10. Januar 2019. Abgerufen am 27. April 2018 .
  20. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (8. September 2018). „Bengals verlängern Vertrag mit Returner Alex Erickson“ . NFL.com . Archiviert vom Original am 26. März 2019. Abgerufen am 15. März 2019 .
  21. ^ „Alex Erickson 2018 Game Log“ . Pro Football Reference . Archiviert vom Original am 4. November 2020. Abgerufen am 15. März 2019 .
  22. ^ „Minshew und die Verteidigung führen die Jaguars zu einem 27:17-Sieg gegen die sieglosen Bengals“ . ESPN.com . Associated Press. 20. Oktober 2019. Archiviert vom Original am 5. Mai 2022. Abgerufen am 20. Oktober 2019 .
  23. ^ „Alex Erickson 2019 Spielbericht“ . Pro Football Reference . Archiviert vom Original am 4. November 2020. Abgerufen am 1. April 2020 .
  24. ^ „Transaktionen der Houston Texans (30.03.2021)“ . HoustonTexans.com . 30. März 2021. Archiviert vom Original am 19. April 2021. Abgerufen am 30. März 2021 .
  25. ^ „Transaktionen der Houston Texans (31.08.2021)“ . HoustonTexans.com . 31. August 2021. Archiviert vom Original am 8. Dezember 2022. Abgerufen am 25. November 2022 .
  26. ^ Gantt, Darin (6. September 2021). „Panthers setzen Guard John Miller auf die Reserve-/COVID-19-Liste“ . Panthers.com . Archiviert vom Original am 6. Oktober 2022. Abgerufen am 25. November 2022 .
  27. ^"Commanders sign WR Alex Erickson". Commanders.com. May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  28. ^"Commanders cut 25 players, place 3 on IR". Commanders.com. August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  29. ^"Commanders announce practice squad". Commanders.com. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  30. ^"Commanders sign 9 players to Reserve/Future contracts". Commanders.com. January 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  31. ^Manning, Bryan (May 12, 2023). "Commanders release 2 players Friday". Commanders Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ^Greenberg, Ethan (July 20, 2023). "Jets Sign WR Alex Erickson and S Dane Cruikshank". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  33. ^Lange, Randy; Greenberg, Ethan (August 29, 2023). "Final Cuts: Jets Move 31 More to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  34. ^@chargers (August 31, 2023). "we've signed WR alex erickson, S dean marlowe and TE nick vannett to the practice squad" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  35. ^"Chargers Sign Alex Erickson to Active Roster; Elevate Stephen Anderson". Chargers.com. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  36. ^"Patriots Sign WR Alex Erickson to the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. December 18, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  37. ^"Houston Texans Transactions (1-15-2025)". HoustonTexans.com. January 15, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  38. ^ Toback, Rebecca (18. Juli 2017). „Video: Ein unvergesslicher Moment von Alex Ericksons Hochzeit“ . Cincy Jungle . SB Nation. Archiviert vom Original am 22. Mai 2022. Abgerufen am 1. April 2020 .
  39. ^ „Alex Erickson“ . Wisconsin Athletics . Archiviert vom Original am 1. Oktober 2018. Abgerufen am 15. März 2019 .