We recently had the privilege of speaking with projected mid-round NFL Draft pick Alex McCalister, defensive end from the Florida Gators, ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft Combine.

Other than being pumped to show the world what he can do and prove he’s more than worthy of selection in the draft, McCalister took the opportunity to address reports from December that he was dismissed from the Florida football program.

RantSports: How would you approach NFL teams that might label you as a “red flag” entering the draft?

Alex: I’d just be real and have a real conversation with them. On paper I probably look crazy, and I don’t even look at Twitter or articles anymore — it just makes me mad. So, just being in front of them [so they can] see what kind of guy I really am. I come from a good family. My mother raised me by herself, I got two little sisters, I got a daughter of my own. [I’ve] got too much to lose to let little stuff like that affect me, and affect the way I ball. I’m all in for this thing.

RantSports: Did you want to publicly clear the air regarding the situation at Florida?

Alex: The whole dismissal thing? Anybody can literally call coach [Jim McElwain]. I can call coach Mac, you can call coach Mac right now and ask him “was Alex dismissed from the team?” And he’s going to tell you “no.” There’s even an article that came out — it’s crazy how the media is — an article came out that even said I wasn’t dismissed. I can literally send that to you right now.

I was not dismissed from the team, and that’s why I can’t wait to get in front of NFL teams and tell them I was not kicked off the team whatsoever. Even after that came out — I was literally at home watching TV and an ESPN alert came on my phone and I was like “what?” — I went to treatment the next morning at the Florida facility, and I was like “this is wild.”

I was not dismissed from the team, man. I’m even going to pro day at Florida, and I don’t think if you were dismissed from the team you would go to their pro day.

Of course, we had to ask him a couple of questions about his future in the NFL.

RantSports: Which NFL player would you compare yourself to?

Alex: From school and just looking at film, I used to look at Jason Taylor because he was a longer [defensive] end, but in the past drafts I’ve been compared to Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Ware, longer guys who are coming off the edge and getting to the quarterback.

RantSports: Which NFL team do you believe is the best fit for you?

Alex: Whoever needs a pass rusher, somebody who can get to the quarterback — I can definitely get the job done. That would be my best fit.

After the serious stuff, we wanted to get to know Alex a little bit, so we asked him some fun questions.

RantSports: What’s in your pre-game mix when you throw on the headphones?

Alex: Definitely some Young Thug and Future. If I want to slow it down, believe it or not, I might play a little Beyonce — just something to calm down. The Weeknd also, when I slow it down.

RantSports: What about Justin Bieber?

Alex: (laughs) Naw, not no JB. I ain’t into JB.

RantSports: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Alex: I probably look in the mirror a little too much before a game, but I always want to make sure I look pretty good before I go on the field. I got to find a body mirror before I go out, just to see everything look good before I hit the field.

RantSports: What would be your first purchase after signing a rookie contract?

Alex: A pair of shoes I always wanted. The Doernbecher 6 Jordans.

RantSports: Say you hit the club for a night out. Name five celebrities or athletes you’d want in your entourage.

Alex: Man, that’s a good question. I would have to say Kanye West, Puff Daddy, Cleveland from ‘The Cleveland Show’ [and ‘Family Guy’], Michael Jordan and Marshawn Lynch.

RantSports: What are some of your favorite TV shows?

Alex: I really like that new show ‘The People vs OJ.’ I’m ready for that to come on tonight, and ‘Prison Break.’ I probably watched all four seasons of that in like two days.

You’ve got to love a good show-binging. Be sure to check out Alex as he aims to “set a few combine records” this weekend.