FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. --- For a third straight year, former Tusculum University cornerback Dee Alford has been named to the Atlanta Falcons' initial 53-man roster as the NFL season begins next month.
Alford and the Falcons will open the 2024 campaign on Sept. 8th when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
During his two-year, 32-game career in Atlanta, he has recorded 66 total tackles including 43 solos with 13 passes defended, three tackles for loss and one interception.
The Griffin, Georgia native originally inked as a free agent with Atlanta in spring 2022 following a championship season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He led the Blue Bombers with four interceptions and was second on the club with 48 tackles. He was named to the All-CFL Divisional Team and helped Winnipeg to an 11-3 record and won the Grey Cup title for a second straight season. Alford was also tabbed to the CFL All-Star Team and was named the Bombers' Most Outstanding Rookie.
During his Tusculum career (2016-2019), Alford garnered All-South Atlantic Conference honors on three occasions including first team accolades during his senior season. He was also tabbed to the 2019 D2CCA All-Super Region 2 Team.
He led the SAC with 20 passes defended (T4th in NCAA II) including his team-best five interceptions (3rd SAC / 25th in NCAA II) and 15 pass break-ups. His passes defended tally was the second most in a TU single-season, while his five interceptions were tied for second as well. He returned those five picks for 122 yards which are the second-most in school history.
In his collegiate home finale against Mars Hill, Alford established a new TU single-game record with his seven passes defended including two interceptions, which are tied for a Pioneer record. For his efforts, he was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week and College Defensive Player of the Week by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association.
Alford finished fourth on the team with 45 tackles, including three for loss and forced a fumble. He was also Tusculum's punt returner and averaged 14.22 yards per return, which is second in the conference and 10th in the country. His 27 punt returns and 384 punt return yards were the second most in school history, while his punt return average was fifth-best by a Pioneer.
His 40 career passes defended are a Tusculum record, while his 195 career interception return yards were also TU-best. His 10 career interceptions are third in the school record book while his 50 career punt returns and 547 punt return yards are both the third-most in school history. Alford finished his career with a 10.94 punt return average, which is the fourth-best in TU history.
Tusculum will open its 2024 season on Sept. 7 when the Pioneers travel to the University of West Alabama for a 7 p.m. (ET) kickoff.
