2016 NFL Draft: Mackensie Alexander was a true shutdown corner for Immokalee High School

By Kevin Askeland Apr 20, 2016, 3:33pm

Former Immokalee cornerback did not allow a touchdown in man coverage all season long for Clemson, and was just as dominant in high school in Florida.

Video: Mackensie Alexander High School Highlights

The Clemson Tigers reached the national championship game in 2015, winning 14 straight games before falling to Alabama in the final. Mackensie Alexander, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back, was a big reason for the Tigers' success.

A top recruit coming out of Immokalee (Fla.) in 2012, Alexander earned MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American Team honors after making 51 tackles and grabbing four interceptions. He helped lead Immokalee to the Florida Class 5A state championship game, where the Indians fell in a close game to Godby, 21-20.

His MaxPreps stats show 10 interceptions in 3 1/2 varsity seasons in addition to four fumble recoveries and 139 total tackles.



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Despite the accolades, Alexander redshirted his first year at Clemson. The wait did not hinder his development, as he became a starter as a freshman and made the AP All-American Third Team as a sophomore. While playing nearly 600 snaps, Alexander did not give up a touchdown in man coverage all season long.

It's that type of coverage ability that has Alexander poised to be selected in the first or second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The latest CBS Sports mock draft boards have one expert saying he will go to the Steelers at 25th and two experts pegging Alexander to go to the Chiefs at No. 28, while two others do not have him on their first round boards.