Three to play three, Arkansas State DL Brian Alston entering transfer portal
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
College football’s transfer portal remains active with fantastic talents seeking new opportunities to showcase their abilities to NFL scouts. Out of Arkansas State, versatile defensive lineman Brian Alston is one of those players who has put his name in the proverbial hat.
Working his craft with Spain Park (Hoover, AL), Alston (6-2, 255) left the Jaguars as a three-star prospect signing with the Red Wolves in the 2023 class.
Asked about playing in Jonesboro under defensive coordinator Rob Harley, Alston replied, “It was good. I built great relationships, learned a lot, and grew as a person and as a player. It was a great experience with my time at Arkansas State.”
Running a 4-3 base, the scheme and Alston’s role within the defense was detailed.
Brian Alston pre-game warmups with Arkansas State.
“We were vertical up front,” Alston stated. “Our defense penetrates and gets in the backfield. We were a movement orientated defense. I played defensive tackle. Being an undersized defensive tackle, I was used to get one-on-one mismatches. They used me being quicker and faster than the guards and centers to create those mismatches.”
Alston continued explaining what makes him stand out on the field, “I feel like I am a very versatile player. I have great hands, great feet, I am quicker than offensive linemen, and I have a great get-off. I can play anything from the 0-tech to 5. I can play inside and outside. I got stronger at Arkansas State. Playing inside has helped me on the edge with being more physical with tackles and tight ends. Playing inside has helped me be more physical after playing inside.”
An offer has already come in from North Alabama with Florida A&M, Stamford, Tulane, and Georgia Tech showing interest.
The next fit Alston is seeking via the transfer portal was covered, “Honestly, a place where I can be myself as a player. I want a place where they will use my versatility as an advantage for the defense; a place where I can get those one-on-ones that I know I can win. I just want to be myself and the player that I am. I am looking for a more versatile role.”
A visit to Florence to spend time with the Lions is coming up; Alston spoke about what he wants to learn during the official.
“Schematically, how I would fit into the system, how I would be developed, how I can get better, and how I can improve,” Alston shared.
Alston ended his senior season with Spain Park recording 61 stops, 18 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and 21 QB pressures. In addition to Arkansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Auburn, Louisville, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Georgia Tech extended scholarship offers to Alston as part of the 2023 recruiting class.
Photo credit: Arkansas State-Alston family; No. 94 Brian Alston.
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