Alex Rosario Story: The running back we all slept on

PALM BEACH COUNTY – Jupiter Christian senior running back Alex Rosario has been literally carrying his team this season.

But no one has seemed to acknowledge him, except for his immediate circle.

Imagine being a starter, team leader, a statistical leader at your position, and still getting overlooked by the media, peers, and probably even some of your fans.

This is something that has become very real for Jupiter Christian running back Alex Rosario during the 2022 season.

Rosario holds no punches when it comes to being overlooked and how he has managed to not let it get to him.

“Personally, this year, I’ve stepped into a leadership role,” Rosario said. “I knew I was going get the ball more, so it was time for me to prove these “preseason rankings” wrong.”

“My mentality going into a matchup as a running back is I know they are going to sleep on me because of my size,” Rosario stated. “They can’t sleep on my speed or the numbers I put up though.”

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound running back is not big in stature. But he is sure to make up for it with his speed and ability to find the end zone any time he touches the ball.

The current stats for Rosario are as follows:

•899 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns, averaging over 11 yards per carry; ranked No. 21 in the state of Florida for rushing yards and No. 1 in Palm Beach County

Now with a running back putting up those type of numbers, why is he not being praised and why are college coaches not knocking down his door?

Some will say because he is at a small school, his size, and strength of schedule.

By the numbers, you can bet on Rosario to get a first down every time he touches the ball, score at least two touchdowns per game, and run for 128 yards per game. This is not something that happens very often, and it takes a special type of student-athlete to play at that level week in and week out.

Rosario also carries the dog mentality in him, which fuels him to put up some of the best stats in Florida despite who lines up across from him.

“I know I want it more than anyone every time I walk on the field,” Rosario said. “I’m the most violent person every time I walk in between those lines.”

It was made very clear that by Rosario that he cannot do anything without his offensive line. They mean more to him than football and scoring touchdowns.

“My line is my family,” Rosario said. “I got some of the biggest dudes in the county in front of me and protecting me every play. I might be the smallest on the field, but I’m the first to have their backs.”

An anchor for Jupiter Christian’s offensive line is 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior Anthony Frigo. He is a team leader with two committable Division 1 football offers from Georgia Southern and Stetson University.

If nobody else believes in Rosario, head coach Baz Alfred does.

“Alex is reaping the rewards of all his hard work,” Baz said. “Everyone gets to see him display his talent this season, but he’s been grinding in the shadows and waiting for his opportunity for a while now.”

Alfred would expand on how Rosario has contributed to the Jupiter Christian squad when he has the ball in his hands.

“He’s been the spark we’ve needed and the balance in our passing attack,” Alfred said. “I am extremely proud of him as a coach and also what’s he’s been able to do in the classroom, carrying a 3.6 GPA.”

It is evident that Rosario has gained the trust of his coaches and teammates. But he has also been trusting the process during his development as a top running back in the state of Florida.

“I think I’ve been handling the ball well because of the people around me,” Rosario said. “I trust my line to block and my quarterbacks to read the option. Whatever Coach Baz calls I know will hit for 70 yards every time, if carried out perfectly.”

Although Rosario is not high up on any recruiting chart right now, he has been drawing interest from multiple Division II and NAIA schools.

Some of Rosario’s first choices to continue his athletic and academic career are Stetson and FAU. He does not mind playing for any school in Florida, as he would like to stay close to home so his family could come and see him play at the collegiate level.