By Will Vandervort.
Today we continue our countdown on who are Clemson’s Most Important Players for 2014.
Don’t get this confused by who are the best. Some of these guys on the list might be the best at their respected positions, but this list concentrates on which players are the most important to the Tigers’ overall success this coming fall.
This list takes into account Clemson’s strengths and weaknesses, depth at certain positions and the importance at each position.
6. Mackensie Alexander, 5-11, 185, Fr. – A nagging groin injury crippled Alexander’s freshman season forcing Dabo Swinney to put a redshirt on his star recruit from the 2013 class. The freshman had surgery last October to repair some of the damage from the injury. Alexander received glowing reports from both Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables in the spring and was named the starter at one cornerback position before the first week of spring practice was concluded. Alexander—a five-star recruit—was rated as the No. 4 overall player in the nation by ESPN coming out of high school in Immokalee, Fla.
Why is he vital? Alexander has the potential to be a shutdown corner. He has great speed to go with extreme athleticism. With the Tigers having to replace both of their starting cornerbacks from last season, they will need the redshirt freshman to be an impact player almost immediately when he steps on the field this fall.
Quotable: “He is always getting his hands on something. He doesn’t say much. He just competes. He’s driven. He’s trying to get better every day. He makes a mistake or gets beat and it doesn’t faze him. He comes back, reloads and gets back at it. I love that in a corner. He’s a very tough-minded kid.” –Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney
Best case: Alexander comes out and shines in his first season and becomes the player Swinney, Venables and defensive back’s coach Mike Reed has envisioned him to be.
Worst Case: Things don’t go well as Georgia, Florida State and Louisville pick on the young corner and burn him for long touchdowns. His confidence gets shot and so does Clemson’s secondary. There is also a chance that another injury could setback his progress for a second straight year.
Final word: Alexander has all the tools to be one of the best cornerbacks Clemson has seen since the days of Justin Miller and Tye Hill. He has good hips, plays physical, has great speed and is very athletic. The only question mark right now is if he can stay healthy. He made it through the spring unharmed and seems poised to be a breakout player for the Tigers in 2014. The good news is with a defensive line as talented as the one Clemson has Alexander should benefit from that and should have an opportunity to make quite a few plays, while gaining experience and confidence along the way.