For Selma High head football coach Leroy Miles, who coached Alexander the past two seasons, the senior quarterback was not only a leader on the field, but off the field, leading by example in the weightroom and in the classroom.

“Darion has been a great leader on and off the field. He is one of those kids you don’t have to look for to be in the weight room; he’s going to be there. Over the summer, he’s going to be there,” Miles said. “He’s academically sound, going to graduate with his associate’s degree from Selma Early College.

“Man, I’ll tell you; if you had a whole team of Darions you would be doing pretty good. Unfortunately, now, I’ve got to replace him.”

Dressed in a blazer, sweater and bowtie, Alexander showed off his high school pride, complete with the colonial blue and gold colors. As for switching to the colors of Miles College, Alexander said. “yes, sir. I think I will look pretty nice in purple.”

The Miles Golden Bears completed the 2011 season with a 7-5 record and won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game against Albany State in November.

The Golden Bears advanced to the Pioneer Bowl, played on Dec. 3 in Columbus, Ga., where they fell to Johnson C. Smith University 35-33.

Miles’ 2011 season also included a 13-6 win over Concordia-Selma in early September.

The Golden Bears open the 2012 season on Sept. 2 in Birmingham, when they take on the University of North Alabama.