2013 NFL Draft: Shawne Alston Signs with Saints
By Ken Durbin
Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Shawne Alston (20) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse defeated West Virginia 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Yet another West Virginia Mountaineer who went undrafted through seven rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft has signed a free agent contract with an NFL franchise. The latest player to sign a deal is running back Shawne Alston who was picked up by the New Orleans Saints this past weekend.
Alston, WVU’s physically imposing rusher was the short yardage specialist that the New Orleans Saints are looking for to back-up current short yardage specialist Mark Ingram. The former Crimson Tide star, Ingram rushed for 602 yards and 5 touchdowns this past season.
The Saints just recently traded away Khori Ivory, opening a spot in the Saints backfield for Alston to compete for. In the current Saints rotation is Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, and Mark Ingram. Ivory was the fourth back in the mix until the trade.
The only other current running back on the Saints roster is Travaris Cadet who will be Alston’s biggest competition for the final spot in the running back mix.
The big back showed a flair for running between the tackles this season with 386 yards and 7 touchdowns in short yardage situations. What the Saints were probably most impressed by is Alston’s high end speed once he breaks through the line of scrimmage.