'14 FL WR Isaiah McKenzie ( Georgia ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

[Buster Bluth]

Four sections, if I remember correctly. But they gave you a composite that was either your average or some kind of formula. I remember specifically getting a 34 "overall", not anything added together.

A 34 overall is outstanding. The max is 36.

 

[koonja]

Four sections, if I remember correctly. But they gave you a composite that was either your average or some kind of formula. I remember specifically getting a 34 "overall", not anything added together.

You ARE a wizard!

 

[Irish Insanity]

Four sections, if I remember correctly. But they gave you a composite that was either your average or some kind of formula. I remember specifically getting a 34 "overall", not anything added together.

Pretty sure I got 34 combined, everything added together.

 

[koonja]

Pretty sure I got 34 combined, everything added together.

Haha, you're on fire tonight.

 

[AvesEvo]

A 34 overall is outstanding. The max is 36.

He got a 34 on his ACT, I'm sure he knows that.

 

[Cpnd1]

Yea they take the average of four scores, reading, english, math, and science. Did Mckenzie take the SAT or ACT?

 

[greyhammer90]

#humblebragging

 

[tussin]

I got a 36 in the Math section. #whammy

 

[CanadalovesND]

Back to Isaiah...

IrishIllustrated.com - They Will: Next step for Irish commits

MCKENZIE NEARLY RETURNS ONE

Whether wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie will end up in the Notre Dame recruiting class remains to be seen.

One thing not in doubt is his ability as a playmaker despite checking in at less than six feet tall. McKenzie played slot receiver and took some carries in the backfield for Nitro throughout the week. During the game he registered four carries for 24 yards.

In the return game McKenzie took three punts a total of 28 yards, including a long of 25. He returned one kickoff for 75 yards. McKenzie thought for a moment he might have scored.

“At first I looked in the middle,” McKenzie said. “I seen that it was closing up. The closer I got it closed up. I stopped, turned around and went down the left side and it was open there. A person made a good block on the kicker and I took it around the corner.”

McKenzie wanted to improve his stock against top competition and felt like it was mission accomplished in that regard.

“This whole week I felt like I showed what I had to show them,” McKenzie said. “Even though I’m small I can do it. I can play around the field, play any position. I can do it with All-Americans. In the game I showed I am the best returner in the country. I’m gonna continue to progress. I just wanted to show them what I had.”

 

[nsisk157]

In an alternate world, why couldn't we accept him conditionally and automatically redshirt him to see if he makes the cut for his first year.?

If that makes any sense..

This is assuming he gets near the mark...any way to sell that to admissions

 

[stlnd01]

In an alternate world, why couldn't we accept him conditionally and automatically redshirt him to see if he makes the cut for his first year.?

If that makes any sense..

This is assuming he gets near the mark...any way to sell that to admissions

I fear that ship may have sailed with Tee Shepherd.

 

[BGIF]

In an alternate world, why couldn't we accept him conditionally and automatically redshirt him to see if he makes the cut for his first year.?

If that makes any sense..

This is assuming he gets near the mark...any way to sell that to admissions

Because he would still be ineligible for an NCAA Div 1 athletic scholarship. He would have to pay his own way.

It's not about ND Admissions until after he becomes NCAA Eligible.

 

[BGIF]

I fear that ship may have sailed with Tee Shepherd.

No ship sailed.

Shepherd never cleared the NCAA minimum requirements for a scholarship which was why didn't go to any college.

 

[tussin]

Some questions I have:

How specifically are ND's academic requirements higher than other schools if McKenzie is a take by simply qualifying for college? Is it an average of our entire class that needs to be higher than other schools? Why wouldn't we go after some bigger fish with some of our "flier" scholarships?

 

[nsisk157]

Because he would still be ineligible for an NCAA Div 1 athletic scholarship. He would have to pay his own way.

It's not about ND Admissions until after he becomes NCAA Eligible.

Right, disregarded the Clearinghouse...

Disregard, k

 

[Irish4Life09]

I've been holding my tongue when it comes to this situation for a while, but can't anymore...

I don't care about this kid's academics and status, or his act scores.
This is a kid that wants to be at Notre Dame.Very badly.
It seems to me that he has had bad leadership behind him in the past, and has been working his ass off to improve his entire academic profile to get into ND.
THIS IS THE KIND OF KID YOU WANT! He clearly shows he wants to put in the work!
Get him extra tutoring and any kind of outside academic access he can get, but get him here!
If you're worried about him in the classroom then give him restrictions/guidance. Such as goals he has to hit or he won't make it.

I realize we are ND.And it isn't for everybody. But this is just the kind of kid you want in ANY school that is willing to put in the effort and work.

#climbsoffsoapbox


edit:Just saw BGIF's comments. Didn't know that. My bad.

 

[stlnd01]

No ship sailed.

Shepherd never cleared the NCAA minimum requirements for a scholarship which was why didn't go to any college.

Isn't NCAA minimum requirements the problem with McKenzie? The suggestion was that we conditionally accept him until he qualifies. That sounded a whole lot like what we tried with Tee. And that didn't go so well. I'd think we'll be reluctant to try it again so soon.

 

[Bubbles]

Nature vs. Nurture


discuss.

 

[jimmymac]

It's funny to see soooo many people on here acting like they fully know the situation. Specifically, people saying "This is the type of kid we should want at ND" and "look how hard he's working"...

The only thing we know is that at one point, his commitment was not very shaky. The staff laid out clear guidelines of what Isaiah had to do to meet the MINIMUM requirements.

AND GUESS WHAT!

He didn't meet them...

Spare me the he tried so hard bullshit... It's a joke. Tons of kids works their asses off and don't get anything out of it. In this case, there is 0 evidence that he worked hard at all. Actually, the circumstances indicate the opposite, that he did not put the work in even when he knew what was required of him. The fact of the matter is the Isaiah had an incredible opportunity to receive a full scholarship to ND if he met the lowest standards possible, and he didn't meet them.

 

[Irish#1]

I've been holding my tongue when it comes to this situation for a while, but can't anymore...

I don't care about this kid's academics and status, or his act scores.
This is a kid that wants to be at Notre Dame.Very badly.
It seems to me that he has had bad leadership behind him in the past, and has been working his ass off to improve his entire academic profile to get into ND.
THIS IS THE KIND OF KID YOU WANT! He clearly shows he wants to put in the work!
Get him extra tutoring and any kind of outside academic access he can get, but get him here!
If you're worried about him in the classroom then give him restrictions/guidance. Such as goals he has to hit or he won't make it.

I realize we are ND.And it isn't for everybody. But this is just the kind of kid you want in ANY school that is willing to put in the effort and work.

#climbsoffsoapbox


edit:Just saw BGIF's comments. Didn't know that. My bad.

I get what you're saying, but you have to remember that admissions hears this same story all the time and not just from football players. I don't think they want to open a Pandora's box. Don't get me wrong, I'm still hoping for a miracle, but..........

 

[Pachuco]

It's funny to see soooo many people on here acting like they fully know the situation. Specifically, people saying "This is the type of kid we should want at ND" and "look how hard he's working"...

The only thing we know is that at one point, his commitment was not very shaky. The staff laid out clear guidelines of what Isaiah had to do to meet the MINIMUM requirements.

AND GUESS WHAT!

He didn't meet them...

Spare me the he tried so hard bullshit... It's a joke. Tons of kids works their asses off and don't get anything out of it. In this case, there is 0 evidence that he worked hard at all. Actually, the circumstances indicate the opposite, that he did not put the work in even when he knew what was required of him. The fact of the matter is the Isaiah had an incredible opportunity to receive a full scholarship to ND if he met the lowest standards possible, and he didn't meet them.

And tons of kids don't have his athletic ability. And that's a fact.

I agree with your overall argument here, but you're coming off hard on a subject like your privy to the same info you're accusing others of being ignorant of, ie his work ethic.

He could have very well tried hard and simply failed.

There are several sides to the equation. Many people are just disappointed that someone so athletically talented with a high interest in ND will not be part of the team.

But if he didn't earn the basic requirements, then that's just the harsh reality.

 

[jimmymac]

And tons of kids don't have his athletic ability. And that's a fact.

I agree with your overall argument here, but you're coming off hard on a subject like your privy to the same info you're accusing others of being ignorant of, ie his work ethic.

He could have very well tried hard and simply failed.

That's certainly fair, and guess I came off a little strong. And it does appear as though he has tried very hard to get his ACT up, so I am probably being too harsh.

 

[Bubbles]

Totally different circumstances, but I sort of coasted my way into ND (and through a few semesters)....and have regretted a lot of it since, so I have a soft spot in my heart for a kid that appears to be trying hard and clearly wants to be there.

 

[Pachuco]

That's certainly fair, and guess I came off a little strong. And it does appear as though he has tried very hard to get his ACT up, so I am probably being too harsh.

No worries, I think you hit it home about not meeting the minimum requirements. We've hit a wall with this recruitment. If a miracle happens, then great, but until then, this book is closed. I actually read the spirit of your post as more of a "it's time to move on, let go of it already, no excuse will change the fact, etc." Hopefully, Isaiah will succeed wherever he goes. I think the consensus would certainly wish him well, and appreciate his respect for ND.

 

[greyhammer90]

One scenario: he tried hard and couldn't make minimum to go to Miss. St. on scholarship. In that case how in the hell is he going to pass at ND no matter what his work ethic.

Second scenario: he didn't try hard. Doesn't belong at ND.

I don't really see what's to argue.

 

[IrishLax]

“@TJamesNDI: #NotreDame WR target Isaiah McKenzie said #Tennessee and #Florida have reached out to him this week. Still wants to be Irish if he can.”

So sad. What will end up happening will ND won't allow him to sign, so he will sign with an SEC school, and then IF he can eventually get to NCAA minimums then he'll be part of the roster in the fall. If not, to JUCO he goes.

What sucks is that he WANTS to be at ND. Way better than battling for wishy washy kids who don't know what they want. McKenzie would probably be worth about 2-3 points a game versus a crappy return man alternative.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I personally do not want another Tee Shepard saga. I was so pumped to see him suited up in blue and gold and after some of the CB play the last couple of years, it's even more depressing that he isn't Irish. After watching Isaiah in the UAAAB today, I think it would be devastating for every ND fan if he was admitted and either was kicked out of school before he ever suited up or played 1 season and then didn't remain academically eligible and had to transfer. That would really suck if he was our top KO and PR and even got some action at RB/Slot and then wasn't eligible for the playoffs/bowl game or was dismissed after next spring. I know that is a lot of whatifs but the kid appears to be that good and that fast and I think if he is on the roster next season he will be an impact player. If he manages to improve his scores and turn things around, great, I will root for him to succeed. But I don't want admissions to take a chance when his grades/scores are not enough and if he truly can not make it at a school like ND. That would just end up being heartbreaking for everyone, most of all to Isaiah.

 

[GBdomer]

MCKENZIE INTERSTED IN THE VOLS

It was a big week for Isaiah McKenzie as the 5-foot-8, 165-pound athlete from Plantation, Fla., at times put on a show.

In the game he finished with four carries for 24 yards and added a 75-yard kickoff return as well as a 25-yard punt return.

The exciting athlete has heard from Tennessee the last several days and is excited for the new attention.

"It's an SEC school and that's always exciting," McKenzie said.

Tennessee seems to be a school that could become a factor if they decide to push harder and they aren't the only school looking to get into the mix. After having a Rutgers official visit set up earlier this week McKenzie is thinking more and more and his visit schedule.

"I don't know about Rutgers right now," McKenzie explained. "It depends on where else I want to go right now.

"Right now, I'm just trying to see some schools and see who I like and make a move from there."

One school that will likely be in the mix is Florida after the Gators contacted him on Thursday.

"I know a little bit about them. They have some good players that went on to the NFL like Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow and I know it's a good program," McKenzie said.

Wake Forest, West Virginia, Kentucky, Notre Dame as well as Tennessee, Florida and Rutgers are still all in play and McKenzie said he feels like he's starting anew with his process.

"I feel like I'm starting over again," McKenzie added.





bye,bye,bye

 

[irishog77]

There is one big difference between Isaiah and Tee though-- Tee began in January and IM would not begin until the summer. Is there a chance he can become eligible by this summer? If so, I'd be for holding a spot for him...but hedging my bet by keeping a potential 5th year at the ready in case IM can't qualify. ND needs to be at the 85 man limit, so I think truly holding a spot for him isn't the wisest of choices. But perhaps with a guy like Utopo or Collinsworth-- Kelly tells one of them, "hey, if this IM kid doesn't qualify, we want you back next year. If he does qualify, we won't have a spot for you." Maybe the kids would tell BK "thanks, but no thanks, I'm moving on," but I think it would be worth a shot.

 

[Xander]

Would prep school be an option if he didn't want to burn a year of eligibility at a JUCO?