Alex Barrett Bio
Alex Barrett is an American professional football defensive end born on March 6, 1994, in Yuma, Arizona. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and has spent his professional career as an undrafted free agent working his way through multiple practice squads and active-roster stints. After beginning his career with the Detroit Lions, he has appeared in the Alliance of American Football and has been a fixture on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad and active roster since 2019.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed around 248 pounds, Barrett is a versatile edge defender known for his motor and special-teams reliability. He has built a long professional career through persistence and roster flexibility, contributing on defense and on coverage units whenever called upon.
Early Life and Background
Alex Barrett was born on March 6, 1994, in Yuma, Arizona, and grew up in the surrounding region. He attended Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona, where he played high school football and emerged as a two-time first-team all-state selection on the defensive line. His play in high school helped establish him as a prospect worth monitoring at the next level.
Beyond football, Barrett lettered in track and field at Desert Ridge, an experience that supported his explosiveness and conditioning as a pass rusher. He went on to attend San Diego State University, where he developed into one of the Mountain West Conference’s most productive defensive linemen during a four-year college career.
Path to Professional Football
Barrett joined the San Diego State Aztecs in 2012 and was redshirted that season, preserving a year of eligibility. From 2013 to 2016, he worked his way up the depth chart, eventually becoming a full-time starter and a team captain during his senior year. His steady development at San Diego State prepared him for the next step, even though he was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, NFLDraftScout.com rated Barrett as the 43rd-best defensive end in his class. Despite that evaluation, he went undrafted and signed his first professional opportunity as an undrafted free agent, beginning a career path defined by perseverance and roster movement.
Alex Barrett Career
Early Career at San Diego State (2012–2016)
Barrett played in 50 games and made 38 starts during his San Diego State career, finishing among the program’s all-time leaders in sacks. He appeared in 12 games in 2013, posting 8 solo tackles, 7 assists and 3 sacks, and became a full-time starter in 2014, when he earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors. His 21 solo tackles, 18 assists, 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble that year showed his ability to disrupt both the run and the pass.
In 2015 and 2016, Barrett elevated his game, earning First-team All-Mountain West recognition in both seasons and becoming the first San Diego State defensive lineman to earn First-team All-Mountain West honors multiple times. Across his four seasons, he totaled 91 solo tackles, 78 assists, 19 sacks, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and 3 forced fumbles, with his 19 sacks tied for the fourth most in school history. That production formed the foundation for his professional opportunity.
Detroit Lions Era (2017–2018)
Alex Barrett signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2017, beginning his NFL journey. He was waived on September 20 and quickly signed to the team’s practice squad two days later, then secured a reserve/future contract on January 1, 2018. His first season was a study in patience, as he spent most of the year developing on the practice squad.
In 2018, Barrett continued to bounce between the active roster and practice squad. He was waived on September 1, re-signed the next day, released on September 19 following the signing of DeShawn Shead, and brought back on October 31 before being released again on November 6. Those moves reflected the typical experience of an undrafted edge rusher fighting for a roster spot.
San Diego Fleet Era (2018–2019)
On November 9, 2018, Barrett signed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season, giving him a chance to play meaningful snaps in a spring league. He appeared in 8 games before the league suspended operations, recording 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Although the AAF folded, Barrett’s production offered a clear indication of his capabilities as a professional pass rusher.
Oakland Raiders Era (2019)
Barrett signed with the Oakland Raiders on April 5, 2019, three days after the AAF suspended football operations. He was waived/injured during final roster cuts on August 30, reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers on September 1, and was released with an injury settlement on September 3. His brief Raiders stint kept him in the league while he continued to pursue a longer-term opportunity.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2019–Present)
On November 27, 2019, Barrett signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, beginning what has become the most stable chapter of his professional career. He re-signed with the team on February 11, 2020, and over the following seasons he repeatedly moved between the practice squad and the active roster. In 2020, he was promoted to the active roster on October 7, elevated for the Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and signed back to the active roster on December 12, illustrating his value as a depth piece.
From 2021 through 2024, Barrett remained a familiar name on San Francisco’s transaction wire. He signed reserve/future contracts in 2022 and 2023, was promoted multiple times during the 2020 and 2024 seasons, and re-signed with the 49ers on February 14, 2024. On August 27, 2024, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. He re-signed with the 49ers on April 22, 2025, before being waived on May 19.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Barrett’s most notable achievements came during his college career, when he earned First-team All-Mountain West honors in 2015 and 2016 and was named a team captain as a senior. His 19 career sacks at San Diego State rank among the top totals in program history, a marker of his consistency as a pass rusher. His professional path, characterized by repeated practice-squad elevations and active-roster promotions, reflects the persistence required to sustain an NFL career as an undrafted player.
Alex Barrett Career Highlights
Although Alex Barrett does not have a traditional headline win total, his career highlights include two First-team All-Mountain West selections at San Diego State and a productive AAF stint with the San Diego Fleet, where he recorded 2 sacks in 8 games. His 19 career sacks at San Diego State tied for the fourth most in school history, and his repeated practice-squad promotions with the 49ers underscore his value as a dependable depth defender.
Other Performances
Beyond his college and AAF production, Barrett has contributed on special teams and defense across multiple NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. His ability to remain in the league since 2017 as an undrafted free agent is itself a highlight of his professional journey.
Alex Barrett Family
Personal Life
Public information about Alex Barrett’s personal and family life is limited, and verified details about his parents, spouse, or children are not available in current sources. He attended Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona, before continuing his football career at San Diego State University.
2025 Season Performance
Alex Barrett entered the 2025 offseason with the San Francisco 49ers after being promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025, following the end of the 2024 regular season. He re-signed with the team on April 22, 2025, reaffirming his role as a familiar depth defender along the edge and on special teams.
On May 19, 2025, Barrett was waived by the 49ers, continuing a career pattern of movement between the practice squad and the active roster. Given his track record of being re-signed after past releases, he remains a candidate to return to the practice squad or active roster during the 2025 season if San Francisco or another team needs experienced defensive-line depth.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Barrett’s outlook centers on his trademark versatility, his experience within the 49ers’ system, and his value as a special-teams contributor. His longevity since going undrafted in 2017 speaks to his professionalism, conditioning, and readiness to contribute whenever his number is called.