Mackensie Alexander to Clemson: Tigers Land 5-Star CB Recruit

Clemson has landed 5-star recruit Mackensie Alexander, who is sure to be a huge contributor on the Tigers' defense.

ESPN's Edward Aschoff revealed Alexander's announcement this morning:  

The 5'10", 180-pound cornerback, who hails from Immokalee, Fla., is ranked as the fourth-best cornerback prospect and the No. 30 overall recruit in the 2013 class by 247Sports' composite rankings.

Alexander naturally received dozens of offers from high-profile schools, ranging from the SEC to the Big Ten to the Pac-12, and he actually committed to Tennessee in January 2012 before decommitting in March.

Alexander already has an impressive skill set that, when combined with his explosiveness and quickness, makes him a formidable recruit. He's a bit undersized, but he has the toughness to play with the big boys in college.

Beyond his tremendous range, his technique makes him an ideal corner in man coverage. He has the potential to be a lockdown corner, as the prized recruit also has ball-hawking skills and almost behaves like a receiver when the ball is lofted up for grabs. 

In addition, Alexander has the tackling ability and instincts against the run that could make him a complete defensive back in college, which is yet another reason why many SEC schools were attracted to him.

Given his pure athleticism, Alexander could be an instant asset returning kicks, but he already looks so mature with his coverage technique that it wouldn't be a surprise if he makes an instant impact as a freshman in the secondary.

One thing is for sure: Alexander is a rising talent, and he should make things very difficult for opposing receivers at the next level.