The Houston SaberCats Alex Elkins has made the transition to playing back row with the West Houston Lions in 2018 and has played in the 2018-2019 preseason matches with the Houston SaberCats. Last season, the 28 years old, 6’4″ tall and 240 lb athlete played wing for the SaberCats.
Elkins is from High Point, North Carolina, and attended high school in Georgia, playing basketball, before transferring to Keller High School, near Dallas, Texas, his senior year. There he played multiple sports, pitching for the baseball team, wrestling and was the MVP for in rugby for the state champions.
After graduation, he was encouraged by his mother to attend Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. Although he had never played football, he earned a position at linebacker on the nationally ranked football powerhouse. While there in 2009 through his graduation in 2010, he was the second-leading tackler. Elkins then transferred to Oklahoma State University during Fall 2010.
Elkins also was a member of the NFL Detroit Lions between May 1, 2013, through his release on August 6.
Elkins was also an accomplished rugby sevens player. He played for the USA Falcons at the Halloween 7s in 2015 and then invited to the Men’s Eagles Sevens High-Performance Camp in 2016. That same year he also played professionally for the Ohio Aviators, becoming one of PRO Rugby’s leading try scorers.
In January 2017 he was selected again for the Falcons South American tour, at the Punte del Este 7s. Soon after scoring a try, however, he broke his leg. This required the rest of 2017 to rehabilitate.
His hard work during 2017 enabled him to regain his form and conditioning and he was selected again for the Falcons tour to the Punte del Este and Vina del Mar Sevens tournaments. He was then selected as an Eagles playing squad for the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship.
Elkins made his debut for the SaberCats against the New Orleans Gold at wing. His power and speed complimented the team but has made the transition in 2019 to the back row.
Elkins began his rugby career with the Alliance Rugby Club and in 2018 has played with the West Houston Lions.
