Alexander Mattison Bio
Alexander Mattison, born on June 19, 1998, in San Bernardino, California, is an American professional football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. Throughout his career, Mattison has built a reputation as a tough, dependable runner, contributing as both a starter and a complementary back. His professional journey has included stops with the Vikings, the Las Vegas Raiders, and most recently the Dolphins.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Mattison grew up in San Bernardino, California, and attended San Bernardino High School, where he played high school football. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in each of his final two seasons, posting 2,017 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and 2,057 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. Following his senior season, Mattison was selected to play in the Inland Valley Football Classic, a regional all-star game that recognized top high school talent.
Beyond football, Mattison was a well-rounded athlete who competed in track and field and wrestling. As a senior, he won the Mountain Valley League title in the 110-meter hurdles. His personal bests included 14.95 seconds in the 110m hurdles, 11.34 seconds in the 100 meters, and 23.34 seconds in the 200 meters. He also excelled in field events, recording marks of 22 feet 9 inches in the long jump and 46 feet 5.5 inches in the shot put. On the mat, he captured a league wrestling title at 195 pounds and earned all-league honors as a junior.
Path to American Football
Mattison committed to Boise State University to play college football, choosing the Broncos after a decorated high school career in Southern California. His blend of size, speed, and athleticism made him an attractive recruit for Boise State’s program. At Boise State, he developed into one of the most productive running backs in the Mountain West Conference.
As a true freshman in 2016, Mattison appeared in all 13 games and rushed for 328 yards on 67 carries with four touchdowns. His role expanded as a sophomore in 2017, when he played in all 14 games and totaled 1,086 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 212 carries. These steady improvements set the stage for a breakout junior campaign that would earn him national recognition.
Alexander Mattison Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Minnesota Vikings selected Mattison in the third round, 102nd overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in the 2019 regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, recording nine carries for 49 yards in a 28–12 victory. In Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders, Mattison rushed 12 times for 58 yards and scored his first career rushing touchdown as the Vikings won 34–14. He finished his rookie season with 462 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
In a Week 5 Sunday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2020 season, Mattison finished with 20 carries for 112 rushing yards, his first professional game with at least 100 rushing yards, after teammate Dalvin Cook was injured. He finished the 2020 campaign with 96 carries for 434 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, along with 13 receptions for 125 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown across 13 games with two starts.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2019–2023)
In the 2021 season, Mattison appeared in 16 games with four starts, recording 134 carries for 491 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus 32 receptions for 228 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The following season, in 2022, he played all 17 games and posted 74 carries for 283 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 91 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
On March 17, 2023, Mattison signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with the Vikings. With the departure of Dalvin Cook in the 2023 offseason, Mattison earned the opportunity to start. In 16 games with 13 starts that season, he recorded 180 carries for 700 rushing yards, as well as 30 receptions for 192 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. On March 4, 2024, Mattison was released by the Vikings after five seasons with the franchise.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024)
On March 18, 2024, Mattison signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. In Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded 123 all-purpose yards, including 92 rushing yards on 23 carries and 31 receiving yards on three receptions, in a 20–15 loss. In Week 11, Mattison suffered an ankle injury in a 34–19 loss against the Miami Dolphins and missed the following games against the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
Across the 2024 season, Mattison totaled 132 carries for 420 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, along with 36 receptions for 294 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown for the Raiders.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Mattison signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, bringing his bruising running style to the AFC East. His arrival gave the Dolphins another experienced option in their backfield. The signing marked a return to familiar surroundings for Mattison, who had previously faced Miami as an opponent.
On August 10, during a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, Mattison hurt his neck and was taken to a hospital for season-ending surgery. The injury cut short what was expected to be a meaningful contribution to the Dolphins offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mattison’s most memorable Vikings moment came in the 2020 Sunday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, when he logged his first 100-yard rushing performance as a professional. In 2023, he stepped into a starting role after Dalvin Cook’s departure and posted career highs in carries and rushing yards. His 2018 Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game performance, where he earned Offensive MVP honors with 200 rushing yards and a touchdown, remains a defining college moment.
Alexander Mattison Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals are not fully catalogued in available sources, Mattison has been part of multiple winning efforts throughout his career. He helped the Vikings open the 2019 season with a 28–12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in his debut and contributed to a 34–14 win over the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of that same season. His teams have consistently competed in playoff-caliber contests across his time in Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Miami.
Alexander Mattison Family
Personal Life
Alexander Mattison is a Christian and is fluent in Spanish, reflecting his Southern California upbringing. Beyond these personal details, he has kept much of his private life out of the public eye, focusing public attention on his work on the football field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a fresh start for Alexander Mattison after signing a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 14. The move placed him in an AFC East backfield looking to add physicality and veteran experience. Expectations were that Mattison would serve as a complementary piece to the Dolphins’ established rushing attack.
Unfortunately, Mattison’s Dolphins tenure was cut short during the preseason. On August 10, he suffered a neck injury during a preseason game against the Chicago Bears and required season-ending surgery. The injury sidelined him before he could contribute meaningfully to the regular season, leaving his on-field impact in Miami limited to preseason preparation.
As Mattison recovers, questions remain about his next career steps heading into 2026. His track record of durability, including never missing a college game despite multiple offseason surgeries, suggests he will work toward returning to the field when healthy.