MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. — Sitting down on Tuesday for Clemson's College Football Playoff media day at Sun Life Stadium, Mackensie Alexander's thoughts wouldn't stray far from his role in his hometown just about an hour and a half away.

The redshirt sophomore from Immokalee, Florida, is one who lives out the idea of letting his on-field play do the talking — only speaking with local and national media for the fourth time since his playing career started (2014), but when the highly-regarded cornerback speaks — there is a big-picture element to most everything he says.

Because of the infrequency of media availability, one of the first questions posed to the first-team All-ACC DB regarded his decision whether or not to go pro after his second season at this level. Two mock drafts on CBSSports.com have him going in the first 12 picks next April. Clemson defensive backs coach Mike Reed says he is telling his draft-eligible players to live in the moment and focus on Thursday's matchup with Oklahoma — and Alexander is abiding by that.

"There's no decision that's been made," Alexander said. "I'm a college athlete still and that's my focus. We'll see what happens after that. My family is behind me 100 percent. Coach (Dabo) Swinney is behind me 100 percent. I'm not really worried about that and I just want to win a national championship. That's all that matters."

 

The matchup ahead has its own challenges, but Alexander didn't have much trouble in last year's game with the Sooners, matching up most with star Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard and holding him to one catch for 13 yards. Alexander doesn't have much to say about the rematch Tuesday — the senior coming in with 1,201 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

"He's No. 3 and he 5-10 and he plays for OU," Alexander said. "There's nothing for me to say about him. He plays for OU.

"We have to wait until the game to play and do what we do. This is a game of performance. I'm not going to sit here and sell me dreams — this is a game of performance and players make plays and coaches coach."

Alexander is known for living in the film room — often found in the WestZone offices just hours after games breaking down every aspect of what went right and what went wrong. His philosophy on the sport of football feeds into that.

"I'm a competitor," he said. "I love to compete. I love to win. Football means everything to me. This ain't just a game I play. A lot of guys just play to play. This is important to me. This is my livelihood. I study like no tomorrow and put my time in the game because I want to be good.

"I'm like Floyd (Mayweather). I can be a little brash — a little cocky. I put in the time to do that. I take my time with this sport. I love playing cornerback."

His DB coach these last three years, Reed, says that work put in fuels a strong effort game-in and game-out.

"It's good because now you're in a situation where you can react and play rather than think," said Reed. "As they say, if you're thinking — you're stinking. Allows them to play at a high level."

Alexander credits 11-year pro and fellow Immokalee product Edgerrin James for helping fuel his fire — a mentor he calls on frequently, speaking just this week. Alexander recalled James praising his work ethic as a freshman in high school — something that's stuck with him.

"'Kids like you don't do this no more,'" Alexander said James told him. "'They don't work on their own. They don't push themselves.' He pushed me when he said that. That was big for me."

And that influence is what he's trying to pass on to his community.

"For me, it's all about showing and educating the youth," Alexander said. "When I go back home and I'm always around the kids and around the nonprofit organizations and showing my faith. I just want to see the kids grow and learn and that they can be successful. I'm hope to my town.

"I bring a lot of hope to my town. A lot of smiles. I'm just fortunate and blessed to be here today."