Kristian "Kiko" Alonso (born August 14, 1990) is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon.
Alonso led his Los Gatos (Calif.) high school team in tackles (150) and receiving (35-559, seven touchdowns) as a senior, joining the gaggle of Golden State recruits trekking to Eugene each year. Alonso redshirted in 2008, then played in the team's final 12 games the following year as a backup linebacker and special teams ace (16 total tackles). Upon his return from the suspensions, he started five of 12 games played in 2011, making 46 tackles, six for losses.
Alonso made his own difficulties early in his career at the University of Oregon. He was suspended for the entire 2010 season after a DUI arrest (while also rehabbing a torn right ACL suffered in the spring), then was forced to sit out the 2011 opener after being arrested the day after the team's spring game for breaking into someone else's apartment and passing out due to intoxication. He came back that season to eventually become a major contributor, including earning the Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game award in the team's win over Wisconsin (five tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, interception).
In 2012, Alonso missed another game vs. Colorado, but this time it was due to a wrist injury. When he was on the field however, Alonso served as a major playmaker. Alonso recorded 81 tackles, of which 14 were for loss. Alonso also ma
Early years
Alonso was born in Newton, Massachusetts. His father, Carlos Alonso, was born in Cuba and raised in Puerto Rico. His mother, Monica Alonso, is from Colombia. Kiko has an older brother Carlos Alonso and a younger brother named Lucas Alonso. Kiko attended Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, California. He led the De Anza League and Central Coast Section in tackles his senior year with 150 stops (81 unassisted). He also tallied double figures in tackles in 10 of 12 games, finished third on the team in quarterback sacks, and led the Wildcats in receiving (35 catches, 559 yards). He led Central Coast's sixth-ranked team to the league title (10–1–1) in 2007, with its lone loss his final year coming against Gilroy (40–34) in the sectional semifinals.
Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the No. 47 inside linebacker in the class of 2008, behind Etienne Sabino (No. 1), Dont'a Hightower (No. 15), and Stevenson Sylvester (No. 26). He accepted a scholarship offer from Oregon over a scholarship offer from Utah.
2012 — Recorded seven tackles, including 1.0 tackles for a loss of one yard and made an interception in win at Oregon State … Made nine stops (eight solo), including 1.0 TFL for a two-yard loss and also forced a fumble vs. Stanford … Seven tackles in win at California … Team-high ten tackles, including 2.0 TFL for a loss of four yards and recovered a fumble in victory at USC … Also caught an interception for five yards against the Trojans … Had six solo tackles and 1.0 TFL for a loss of two yards in win at Arizona State … Recorded a career-high and game-high ten stops and forced one fumble and also recovered a fumble in victory vs. Washington… Also had 1.0 sacks for a five yard loss and made 2.5 tackles for a six-yard loss and one pass breakup against the Huskies … Made seven tackles in win against Washington State … Consecutive game with an interception for 16 yard return and also had nine tackles, including 1.0 for a two-yard loss in victory over Arizona … Made three tackles, including 1.0 for a one-yard loss and had an interception for 41 yards in win vs. Tennessee Tech … Registered one pass breakup and two QB hurries to go with five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a five yard loss in victory over Fresno State … Made two solo stops in win vs. Arkansas State.
2011 — Oregon’s eighth-leading tackler ranked fourth among linebackers with 46 stops … Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game with one interception and five tackles, including career-highs of 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss of eight yards … Two tackles for loss (5 yards) among five total stops in Oregon’s win over UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship Game … Recorded first career interception in win vs. Oregon State … Made six tackles vs. USC … Both tackles in win at Stanford were solo stops … First career sack for a loss of six yards among his three solo tackles in win at Colorado … Also had three tackles in win vs. Cal … Career-high nine tackles, including eight of the solo variety in win at Arizona … Seven tackles, 0.5 for a two-yard loss, in win vs. Missouri State … Registered four tackles and a QB hurry while seeing first action of the season in win over Nevada … Posted the top mark among linebackers and third-best overall with a 380-pound bench press during winter testing … Helped the Oregon Green team post a shutout with four tackles (three solo) in the Spring Game.
2010 — Spent the season rehabilitating from a knee injury suffered during the spring.
2009 — Oregon’s primary reserve at middle linebacker … Appeared in the final 12 games, accumulating 13 of his 16 tackles unassisted … Included was one TFL vs. Oregon State and credited with a personal-best four tackles at Washington … One of Oregon’s top special teams players also forced one fumble … Played 10 or more snaps in nine appearances, including a personal-best 27 in the Rose Bowl.
2008 — Redshirt season … Named scout team player of the week (special teams) for his work leading up to win at Arizona State.
Professional career
2013 NFL Draft
On April 26, 2013, Alonso was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (46th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills
2013 season
On May 15, 2013, Alonso signed a four year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
In his first NFL regular season game against the New England Patriots, Alonso had a total of 9 tackles leading the Bills defense close to an upset win. The next week against the Carolina Panthers, Alonso had a total of 10 tackles, 1 interception, and a sack to lead the Bills to their first win of the season under new head coach Doug Marrone. In Week 3, Alonso finished the game with 8 tackles and a pick in a loss to fellow rookie Geno Smith and the New York Jets. He was the first Bills player to record an interception in back to back games since Jairus Byrd in 2009. In Week 4, Alonso had 5 tackles and 2 interceptions to help his team win against the Baltimore Ravens.
On October 3, 2013, Alonso was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for the month of September.
In a Week 5 showdown against the Cleveland Browns, Alonso leaped over the goal line on 2nd and goal to prevent running back Willis McGahee from scoring a touchdown. Alonso finished the game with 12 tackles and no interceptions, the first time he did not record an interception in a game since Week 1. In a Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Alonso had the biggest game of his young career, when he recorded 22 tackles. Although Buffalo lost in overtime, Alonso got nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week for the second time in his career. Alonso was the only defensive player nominated for PFWA Rookie of the Year.On January 14, 2014, Alonso was named PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year following the 2013 season. Alonso was also named to the NFL's All-Under-25 Team for 2014.
2014 season
Bills GM Doug Whaley announced that Alonso would be shifted to the weakside linebacker position for the 2014-15 NFL season.
PERSONAL — Born Kristian Alonso in Newton, Mass. Parents: Carlos and Monica Alonso. Family: Two brothers. High School (Coach): Los Gatos (Butch Cattolico) 2008. Major: Undeclared. Redshirt: 2008.
