McKinzie an elite low-profile recruit
As we draw closer to National Signing Day, this is the time of year when numerous Central Florida seniors are scrambling — and waiting — to find a place where they can further their football careers.
The 2018 class is full of talented prospects who have been overlooked, mostly notable due to their lack of size, and they all are searching for scholarships to play football somewhere … anywhere at this point.
One of the most overlooked has been Lyman quarterback
a 6-foot-3, 190-pound athletic type of quarterback who doesn’t necessarily fall under either of the standard quarterback labels. He’s not a dual-threat run/pass quarterback or a pro-style passing-style quarterback. In fact, McKinzie can fill whichever style of offense he needs to fit; it’s just a matter of being acclimated to that format.
At Lyman, he’s done both. He throws it when he needs to and runs it when he needs to. It’s hard to cast him under a dual-threat label because those labels essentially mean a running quarterback who had difficulty in passing the football. McKinzie, however, has shown the ability to be a runner, a drop-back passer, a roll-out passer or a readoption guy, and Lyman has benefited from all of it.
His problem initially with college recruiters is that he only has two seasons of game film playing quarterback at Lyman. He came over from Oviedo as a cornerback, but once he transitioned into the quarterback role, left open by the transfer of to Winter Park, he started to flourish. The sky is the limit for McKinzie, who showed signs of that potential during his senior season. He completed 55 percent (92-of-167) of his passes for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran for 786 yards and seven more touchdowns, and he threw only five interceptions.
“I felt I did very well my senior year,” McKinzie said. “I felt like we prepared very well in the offseason in the weight room, in the spring, in 7-on-7, getting timing down, executing the plays and all that.”
He’s improved considerably running the football since his junior year, but that growth was more from his coaches realizing he was more capable than they had COMMENTARY thought, and he answered the call with 400 more yards as a senior.
Still, he lacks attention. He was even spurned by the Central Florida All-Star Game selection committee, of which I am a sitting member, but I am only one voice. East quarterbacks for the game will be Viera’s
a legitimate prospect who is committed to Fordham. Demorat (6-4, 190) has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns this year.
The other East quarterback is of Port Orange Spruce Creek. He, too, had a big senior year during which he guided the Hawks to a 9-2 record and threw for 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Lake Mary’s
is another East quarterback, but he’ll be penciled in as an athlete and can play any number of positions at the next level.
Size hinders both Minckler (6-1, 187), who is a terrific game manager, and Brown (5-10, 160), a speedy, gifted athlete much like his brother, who graduated in 2013. McKinzie has good size, a strong arm, ability to run and all the tools that should make him at least a target by some lower-level colleges. The phone just hasn’t been lighting up.
“I feel under-appreciated, a little slept on,” McKenzie said. “I’m a little optimistic … just trying to better myself in the classroom, weight room to just hopefully have something [come] through for me. That way I’ll be prepared for the next level.”
His coach, as is often the case with many coaches of talented seniors this time of year, is baffled by the lack of attention.
“He’s just a great player. … He knows what he’s doing. He can run. He can throw. He’s the full package,” Lyman head coach
said. “I don’t know, maybe it’s the idea that he kind of got a late start. Maybe it’s the idea that we have a receiver that takes all of the energy out of the sky, I don’t know.” That receiver is junior
a star in his own right who was on the end of 29 of those completed passes this past season. But someone had to get it there and McKinzie had the connection with Jefferson and senior receiver
down. Then there’s Orlando Boone defensive end
an athletic 6-5, 220-pounder who had an incredible senior year in leading the Braves to the second round of the playoffs. What more does a guy have to do to get attention?
Swag had 28 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions, scored three defensive touchdowns and batted down more than 25 passes. He could even play outside linebacker at the next level and he will be a beast somewhere. He’s getting attention and has a few offers, but he should have a lot more. Somebody is going to snag a good one. Duke has expressed plenty of interest and could be his best option if the offer comes through. Then cornerbacks
(nine interceptions) of Winter Park and of Boone (5 interceptions) certainly are worthy of mention. There are many, many more Central Florida players looking for college homes. Stay tuned and hopefully they’ll all find college options.