Xe’ree Alexander set to join older brother, UW receiver Lonyatta Alexander Jr. in Pac-12
Lonyatta Alexander Jr. made countless big plays during his four-season career at Kennedy Catholic High School.
The former Lancers standout wide receiver, who is now entering his second college season and first with Washington, was known for his highlight-reel catches in high school.
He turned in memorable performances week after week, and eventually ended his career at Kennedy Catholic ranked third in state history in receiving touchdowns (63), fifth in receiving yards (4,032) and tied for fifth in receptions (236).
But, Wednesday afternoon on Montlake, after the Huskies wrapped up practice for the day, Alexander smiled remembering a big play made by a Kennedy Catholic defender two seasons ago.
The Lancers were hosting Federal Way on a Saturday afternoon in April, midway through the shortened spring season in 2021.
Alexander was a senior, playing out his final few games with Kennedy Catholic. His younger brother, Xe’ree Alexander, was a sophomore playing his first varsity season at linebacker.
“He got a pick-six against them,” the older Alexander recalled. “And I was just like, ‘Wow. That’s really my little brother. He just made a play, varsity football, first year staring. It’s awesome.’ ”
The pick-six — when Xe’ree Alexander hauled in a pass in front of an Eagles receiver near the 42-yard line and sprinted into the end zone — was the first interception of his career, and first of two in that game.
“I got to celebrate with all of my guys,” he said Wednesday afternoon, as Kennedy Catholic opened fall camp. “Then when I saw my dad crying and my brother really hyping me up, it was honestly a really good memory.”
Kennedy Catholic rolled to a perfect 6-0 record that spring, with Lonyatta Alexander Jr. as a centerpiece of the Lancers’ Air Raid offense and Xe’ree Alexander emerging as a defensive standout.
“It was really cool for those guys to be able to play together,” Lancers coach Sheldon Cross said.
Lonyatta Alexander Jr. and Xe’ree Alexander also played together on youth football teams growing up, before taking the field together for the Lancers.
Both started out on the offensive side of the ball, but Xe’ree Alexander — who has also lined up at running back for Kennedy Catholic — later moved primarily to defense, where he is now considered a three-star recruit at linebacker in the 2023 class.
“Seeing him play in the box and really just being aggressive and everything, it’s awesome,” Lonyatta Alexander Jr. said. “Getting down and dirty in the trenches when he has to. Making big plays on the running backs.
“ … Just seeing him play against high-level competition, he’s really going to do great at this next level.”
Xe’ree Alexander enters his senior season this fall as a key returner for a Kennedy Catholic team looking not only to secure a fourth consecutive Class 4A North Puget Sound League title, but also compete at the state level for the first time since 2019.
He also has a Pac-12 destination set for next season, after committing to Arizona State — where Lonyatta Alexander Jr. played his true freshman season — earlier this month.
Xe’ree Alexander also collected four more Division I offers from Arizona, Campbell, Eastern Washington and Idaho before announcing his decision to head to Arizona State on Aug. 8.
“It was definitely the atmosphere over there,” he said. “When I went down there for a few visits — the players, I love them, the leadership out there and the teamwork that they (had) was amazing, and my relationship with the coaches, it’s phenomenal.”
Lonyatta Alexander Jr. is excited to soon see his younger brother also playing college football.
“It’s pretty cool to see him shine and thrive,” he said.
Lonyatta Alexander Jr. played last season with the Sun Devils, but announced his transfer back home to UW in January, and joined the Huskies for spring practices, where he reunited with several Kennedy Catholic teammates.
Now, having spent the spring and summer learning the playbook and getting comfortable in UW’s offensive system, he is ready to contribute in 2022 as part of a stacked wide receivers room.
“It feels great,” he said of his return to Seattle. “I feel comfortable. And to be around the guys that I grew up and played with my whole life, it’s amazing.”
Even with a busy fall schedule ahead, Lonyatta Alexander Jr. hopes to see his younger brother play in some games in his final season at Kennedy Catholic.
Soon, though, the two could be lining up opposite each other on Saturdays. Arizona State and UW are scheduled to play in Seattle again in 2023.
“I honestly can’t wait to play against him,” Xe’ree Alexander said.
This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
