'15 CA DT Kahlil McKenzie (Tennessee Verbal)

[Irish Man3]

This guy and Elijah Taylor would be very nice on the inside. Wishful thinking but its a possibility.

 

[Big23Head]

For growing up a ND fan, you think he'd be more adimant about visiting, not just trying to get them in. Probably looking too far into it, but that's what I thought from reading those comments.

FWIW the scout article says he is going to visit 7 other schools already, implies they are already set up for him to visit. Visits are all across the south Cali to Florida. He wants to take his time.

 

[Irish#1]

If he already has visits scheduled and wants to try and make it to SB, I think that's a positive.

 

[STLDomer]

For growing up a ND fan, you think he'd be more adimant about visiting, not just trying to get them in. At least that's my feeling when reading those comments.

If he already had visits planned and a schedule made out he's not gonna just drop everything for Notre Dame

 

[koonja]

If he already had visits planned and a schedule made out he's not gonna just drop everything for Notre Dame

When the visits are in the distant future and you root for ND, I can see it being completely reasonable to drop one of your other visits in lieu of visiting ND.

Just saying.

 

[WestCoast]

To summarize,
1) recruit from northern CA
2) Defensive Tackle/Nose
3) Last name of McKenzie

Boy, if there are worse odds against his recruitment...

Too bad he didn't commit a few days after NSD 2014 or take pictures with ND fans with signs saying "All Irish".

 

[Cpnd1]

@RyanCallahan247: Several teams standing out to Top247 DT Kahlil McKenzie (VIP): Tennessee legacy Kahlil McKenzie ready to visit Vols @Evan_Flood @TomLoy247 @CharlesGPower

Loy retweeted it so I am assuming ND is one of the schools standing out.

 

[lcaps20]

Lists Oklahoma, Miami, USC, Florida, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Alabama along with Tennessee as teams that are standing out to him. Says he has already thought about how cool it would be to follow in his dad's footsteps and play for Tennessee. Still trying to identify a clear top 10

 

[ResLife Hero]

Either really encouraging for the Badgers or a big-time trolling effort:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I think the Wisconsin fans think they're out of it which couldn't be further from the truth <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23onwisconsin&src=hash">#onwisconsin</a></p>— Kahlil McKenzie (@BigBallin28) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBallin28/statuses/459392679118262272">April 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GBdomer]

No he has legit interest in Wisconsin. He use to live in Green Bay

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DT Kahlil McKenzie will name top 10 this weekend. I expect <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tennessee&src=hash">#Tennessee</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Arizona&src=hash">#Arizona</a> to be 3 to make cut. <a href="http://t.co/PXGjIIKV8j">http://t.co/PXGjIIKV8j</a></p>— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/statuses/459489991350288384">April 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[arrowryan]

I had no idea McKenzie was this high on Notre Dame. Awesome

 

[rtrn2glory]

we gotta keep the momentum with this recruitment...we're in this one early and we gotta do our work to keep him from going to Tennessee and the cali schools

 

[Luckylucci]

I had no idea McKenzie was this high on Notre Dame. Awesome

Yea, there's some ties to ND.

 

[Irish Man3]

Id be shocked if he went anywhere but Tennessee in the end. He's a high priority down here with this staff and has a lot of connections.

 

[PANDFAN]

Size-Strength-Speed
A thickly built DL with good height and bulk at this stage. Powerful player that displays very good playing strength. Flashes good initial quickness for size.
Versus the Run
Big strong player capable of being a physical and stout presence on the inside. Needs to watch pad level at times, but overall demonstrates the ability to fire out low and uncoil at contact and deliver a good pop that can at times knock blockers back. He displays very good lower body strength and can be real tough to move off the ball with one blocker and also demonstrates the ability to hold his ground well versus double teams. Flashes violent and heavy hands and the ability to get off blocks in time to make a play at the line of scrimmage.
Pass Rush Skills
More strictly a power rusher, but can get under blockers pads and drive them back to collapse the pocket. Flashes activity with his hands, but needs to continue to develop usage and could be real effective with club, power rip and push-pull. Displays adequate closing speed.
Toughness/Motor
This is a powerful and thickly built DL that can be a tough physical player in the trenches. Displays good enough lateral mobility to be active between the tackles. Range is limited but does look to give good effort and will stay after the play and pursue. Ball carriers can shake him in some space, but a strong grip to be able to bring them down when he gets cloth.
Bottom Line
McKenzie comes from a good football background and is a very good prospect as the big man brings size, strength and a physical nature to the trenches. May not be a flashy presence, but can be a tough stout player that can get the job done and help those around them. With some continued improvement could potentially contribute early with the ability to develop into a productive starter.
Junior Eval
STRENGTHS: A big, solidly-built frame with excellent upper and lower body strength needed to hold his base at the point. Flashes a good short-area burst to disrupt as well. Recognizes schemes quickly and has a nose for the football. A high-effort player with good chase ability all over the field. Wraps up and runs through ball carriers while possessing strong hands for drag down ability. ... AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Doesn't possess top-end speed as an edge player. Can be a bit rigid at times. Struggles to redirect quickly in space. Not a true speed rusher and lacks DT size and strength at this stage. ... BOTTOM LINE: McKenzie is a very strong and physical player that will benefit from improved quickness and bulk as a full time DT at the college level. A player with a nasty streak that shows good upside.

NOTES
Previously attended Southwest High School (Green Bay, Wisc.)... Father, Reggie, is the GM for the Oakland Raiders...
insider

 

[gkIrish]

SIAP

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Top 5 for 2015 DL Kahlil McKenzie is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Arizona&src=hash">#Arizona</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tennessee&src=hash">#Tennessee</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Oklahoma&src=hash">#Oklahoma</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wisconsin&src=hash">#Wisconsin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USC&src=hash">#USC</a> in no order. Some surprises.</p>— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/statuses/460131527029182464">April 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Crazy Balki]

SIAP

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Top 5 for 2015 DL Kahlil McKenzie is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Arizona&src=hash">#Arizona</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tennessee&src=hash">#Tennessee</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Oklahoma&src=hash">#Oklahoma</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wisconsin&src=hash">#Wisconsin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USC&src=hash">#USC</a> in no order. Some surprises.</p>— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/statuses/460131527029182464">April 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's incredibly surprising. I thought we were at least in a 3-man race with Tennessee and U$C. What happened?

 

[koonja]

I blame Loy.

 

[magogian]

That sounds like the kind of list that could change easily.

 

[Luckylucci]

It's Diaco's fault!

 

[rtrn2glory]

and boom goes the dynamite

 

[STLDomer]

Not in his Top 12

 

[PANDFAN]

Wiltfong had actually said we were in good position with him less than a week..I myself felt sceptical but thus confirms my thoughts

 

[Luckylucci]

Yea, it doesn't seem like we were able to get much traction here. A huge bummer, he was in absolute beast mode recently at a Nike Camp. Looked and moved like a top 5 DT.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Not in his Top 12

So he went from a top 5 to a top 12? Dude, I think you're doing it wrong.

 

[STLDomer]

So he went from a top 5 to a top 12? Dude, I think you're doing it wrong.

Don't be salty because for some reason u thought we should be in his Top 3.

 

[Luckylucci]

We had a huge lead last week

 

[NDinL.A.]

USC feels they are sitting pretty with this one, unfortunately.

 

[Irish Man3]

That wouldnt be good.

Early though. Tennessee feels pretty good here as well.