He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning first-team All-American honors in 1997.
He was a three-year starter for football, and named to the Oakland Press Dream Team, first-team all-state as well as voted to play in the Michigan All-Star game as a senior.
With Joe Tiller taking over as Purdue's head coach in 1997, he set career highs in catches (67) and yards (1,228).
He also set single season receiving yards, and at the time of his graduation, ranked 4th on all-time Big Ten single season list 4th in TD, 4th in receiving yards, and 8th in receptions.
For the 2003 season, Alford started as a practice squad member of the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League.