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CLEMSON -- Clemson sophomore cornerback Mackensie Alexander, a freshman All-American in 2014, spoke with reporters Wednesday, including of course Tigerillustrated.com. As usual, Alexander was not at a loss for words, expressing unwavering confidence in not only himself but the Tigers' secondary.

The following is an edited transcript of his interview with reporters.

Q. Last year the front seven got so much attention, yet the secondary had the No. 2 pass defense in the country. Do you think you guys are still overlooked?

Alexander. "Oh man, we're so talented in the secondary. We're so talented, it's not even funny. Now it's about being smarter than opponents. Our guys in the secondary … T.J. Green, Jayron Kearse, Cordrea Tankersley, Adrian Baker, Ryan Carter, Mark Fields, a bunch of guys who can play back there. Some guys are better in some areas, but now it's about being smarter, understanding down and distance, understanding what they want to do, how you're going to attack them."

Q. Is your goal to get a college degree and try to get set or go to the NFL?

Alexander. "Of course. Everybody wants to get a degree. I'm here to win a national title. That's that. I'm going to get my degree and win a national title. That's all we're here for … get a national title."

Q. How is Mark Fields coming along?

Alexander. "He's coming along good. He's just got to keep understanding our defensive coordinator. He's emotionally invested. It's hard for a young guy to come in and understand Coach (Brent) Venables. He's very emotional and he coaches real hard. I'm with the young guys after practice everyday. I'm always getting extra reps everyday after practice. I'm always doing extra stuff to get better. They always join me and they're free to join me whenever. I try to get them out there as much as I can. This was our first scrimmage. He'll get there. Everyone is pushing him. He's working real hard. He's a special talent."

Q. Which wide receiver has given you the most trouble?

Alexnader. "I would say all of them. I give them a push and they give me a push. It's good to compete with them."

Q. Artavis Scott and Mike Williams are different receivers. Which one gives you more issues, the tall deep threat or the other?

Alexander. "They're two different players. Artavis is quicker. He's a guy who can touch it and take it 60 yards. Mike is more of a possession guy, big-body guy. He goes up and goes for the ball. Both are challenging. I just like to go out and compete and win matchups. As a corner, you have to know how to play both. You can't play both the same. You have to change your technique if you want to be one of the best corners in the country. And I know how to do it real well."

Q. Clemson has 12 opponents. How many of them have you already watched film on?

Alexander. "I've watched Wofford, App. State, Notre Dame, Louisville, I've seen Florida State, I've watched South Carolina. I pretty much watched everybody and got a good glimpse of their personnel, their best targets and best receivers. I've got my notes on all of them, I know who they are."

Q. How many notes will you take on one guy or one team?

Alexander. "I've got a drawer at home full of stuff. I just moved into my new place. I've got a drawer full of notes. I've even got notes on our receivers. It's not just about college. It's about the next level also. It's about preparing my mind for the next level."

TI. Jadar Johnson said he studies every evening. He reads the entire defensive playbook. Do you? How often do you study?

Alexander. "I do that everyday. You can always learn. It's not just about you knowing the playbook. I always want to know what my safety is doing over the top, the nickel, the linebacker. You can play so much faster if you know what everyone else around you is doing."

TI. You're a guy who's got your finger on the pulse of a lot of things around you, particularly within this conference and in college football. You know who the top cornerbacks are in college football. Where do you feel you stack up?

Alexander. "It's not even close. I think everybody that talks about Mackensie knows I'm the best corner in college ball."

TI. You're the best in college football?

Alexander. "It's not even close."

TI. Why? Elaborate.

Alexander. "Look at my body of work, look at the things I've done. It's not even close. My numbers. I don't care who they are, what league or conference they're in. If you can play, you can play."

Q. Do you notice the preseason all-conference and All-American lists?

Alexander. "That stuff doesn't matter. We're not worried about all that in Clemson. It's about us. We're going to play Clemson 15 times. We're staying focused with what we have to do everyday."

TI. Even with your belief that you're the best, surely something still needs work. What is it? What are you dissatisfied with?

Alexander. "A lot of things. Sometimes I feel I do things good, but not great. I can't go into details. I'm working everyday, though. I'm a hungry man. I'm never going to settle."

Q. What are your individual goals this year?

Alexander. "Let's talk about team goals. It's about my team and teammates. It's about how good they are. We have so many good guys. I want to send the attention to my teammates and my coaching staff. I couldn't care less about the spotlight and who gets those awards."

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