McKenzie's collegiate career had more pit stops than Jeff Gordon in a NASCAR race, but he finally found a home at strong-side outside linebacker with South Florida as a junior. He began his collegiate odyssey in 2004 as a reserve weak-side linebacker at Michigan State, but transferred to Iowa State after the season. He sat out the 2005 campaign under NCAA transfer rules, finally getting a starting opportunity with the Cyclones in 2006.

The redshirt sophomore went on to rank eighth in the nation and second in the Big 12 Conference in tackles in 2006, starting all year as a middle linebacker. But after the season, he informed the ISU coaching staff that he would enroll at South Florida for the 2007 spring semester and intended to play football for the Bulls.

Back in his hometown, McKenzie took advantage of a spring camp ankle injury to Chris Robinson, winning the strong-side outside linebacker position. He would go on to start 24 of his final 26 games at that position for the Bulls.

At Riverview High School, McKenzie was rated among Florida's top 50 prospects by the Tampa Tribune. The first-team All-Hillsborough County selection by the Tampa Tribune earned second-team All-County honors from the St. Petersburg Times and was selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game in Raymond James Stadium.

McKenzie rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 7.7 yards per carry in 2003. He produced four 200-yard rushing games that season, including an 80-yard touchdown run and 230 yards vs. Jefferson. He also rushed 20 times for 205 yards and four scores vs. Brandon. He missed most of his junior season due to a broken leg suffered in the season's second game. He also lettered in track, qualifying for the 2004 state 4A track championships in the 110 hurdles.

McKenzie enrolled at Michigan State in 2004, but left the program after just one season, as he posted three tackles (2 solos) in 11 games. He transferred to Iowa State, performing on the scout team in 2005. The following season, he garnered All-Big 12 Conference second-team honors. As the Cyclones' middle linebacker, he registered a career-high 129 tackles, second on the team and in the league. He also had two sacks, 9.5 stops for loss, three pass breakups and an interception.

In 2007, he enrolled at South Florida, emerging as the starting strong-side linebacker. The All-Big East Conference second-team choice started 11 games, sharing the position with Brouce Mompremier. He still managed to set the school single-season record with 121 tackles (78 solos) that included 1.5 sacks, 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and three pressures. He also blocked a kick, caused two fumbles and recovered two others.

The Butkus, Nagurski and Lott Trophy nominee started all 13 games for South Florida in 2008. He earned first-team All-Big East Conference honors, finishing second in the league with 116 tackles (78 solos). He added 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage and broke up eight passes while picking off another. His 237 tackles as a Bull was the highest total by any South Florida player over a two-year span.

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.72

Body Structure: McKenzie has a solid frame with a very long wingspan, large hands and good upper body development. He has room to add more bulk without having it impact his impressive quickness. He has a thick chest, broad shoulders, thick thighs, good knots in his calves and a trim waist.

Athletic Ability: McKenzie has very good versatility and has experience at all three linebacker positions. Even though he played on the strong-side in college, his field vision and ability to get everyone in position could be more suited for the middle. He does not have the raw strength to stack and control blockers, so a possible shift to weak-side would serve him better in the NFL then if lined at his college position. He has just has adequate size, but his frame shows the ability for him to get bigger. He displays good playing speed and good overall athletic ability for the weak-side position, but might not have the power base to handle action on the strong side. The thing you see on film is his above average coordination through his burst. He has good change of direction agility with sudden straight-line quickness and speed. GRADE: 6.7

Football Sense: McKenzie is like a coach on the field. He is generally the first player around the ball due to his keen field vision and instincts. He makes sure everyone is lined up properly and knows all of the position assignments. He has outstanding eyes reading keys and reacts with no hesitation. He shows a good feel for pre-snap movement and frustrates the opposing quarterback, as they can't figure ways to fool him. He gets into position quickly and is very good flowing to the ball. GRADE: 7.5

Character: McKenzie quickly grabbed the leadership role upon his arrival at USF. He is not only field smart, but the type of player who works with others on the team in his spare time. He is a leader by example who is personable, mature and well-liked by teammates and coaches. He made sacrifices in his career, transferring to be closer to home when his mother took ill, but was quick to acclimate to his new environment. GRADE: 6.6

Competitiveness: McKenzie plays with good emotion. He is a tough, physical tackler, but gets most of his success based on his field intelligence, as he always seems to be the first player around the ball. He is a tough, physical tackler who plays until the whistle. He is a classic overachiever that simply loves to play. Rarely will you see him take plays off. GRADE: 6.3

Work Habits: McKenzie is a hard worker in the weight room and on the field, but needs to add more lower body strength. He is a solid leader by example and will get vocal when needed. He has very good self-confidence and knows how to motivate his teammates. He has never missed a practice or been late for any team meeting or function. He sets the pace and example for the team's younger athletes. GRADE: 6.5

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 6.36

Key and Diagnostic Skills: McKenzie excels at making quick decisions, as he does a good job of breaking down in space. He does not like taking on action in tight areas and is more comfortable when he has room to operate. He is very good with his pre-snap reads and rarely is he caught out of position. He reacts quickly once he sees the scheme and play develop and shows a nose for the football. He gets into position after the snap and has the range to make plays down the line. GRADE: 7.8

Playing Strength and Explosion: McKenzie has just adequate playing strength, more due to size issues, but he does a good job of playing off blocks to give chase on the outside. He is adept at using his quickness and break down ability to attack and neutralize ball carriers in space. He does run into trouble trying to work through inside trash, as offensive linemen can have success engulfing him, especially when he short-arms. He is a better tackler on the move and in space, as he is prone to be washed out by double teams, lacking the size to generate a strong battle operating in a phone booth. Until he improves his lower body strength, he will continue to struggle at the point of attack when taking on and shedding blocks (more so when working in-line, as he does not generate enough force behind his hand swipes to combat double teams). GRADE: 5.5

Lateral Pursuit/Range: McKenzie does a good job of opening his hips and working down the line. He might get pushed out of rush lanes vs. bigger blockers, but with his tenacity he is quick to bounce back up and get back into the play. He is best working in space, as he makes most of his tackles on the move initiating contact rather than waiting for the action to come to him. With his range, he is quite effective generating long pursuit. He can get engulfed by the bigger blockers, but when he keeps his hands active he is effective playing off blocks and shedding. He is quick to react and chase the ball. He has enough lateral movement to flow to the ball down the line and the change of direction agility to recover when he out runs the play. His timed speed is evident by his range, showing the ability to run sideline to sideline. He always gives good effort and plays with a high motor. When he uses his arms and hands to stave off blockers trying get into chest, he can get through trash while reading the scheme. When he fails to bring his hands or short arms, he will get walled off. GRADE: 6.0

Use of Hands: McKenzie has developed above average usage and placement in order to compensate for a lack of ideal strength. He extends his hands well, using his wing span to stave off high blocks, but must do a better job of utilizing them to protect his legs from cut blocks. He has the functional power behind them to stun and jolt. But he also fails to protect his knees from the block, resulting in him getting cut easily. He has much better ability to stay on feet when he uses his hands to slip off blocks. He does a better job of working his hands on the move than he does in traffic. He will use his body as a crutch going for the interception, resulting in more pass breakups than interceptions. But, he worked hard during the offseason to reach and snatch the ball away from the body's frame, showing better results when attacking the ball in flight during Senior Bowl practices. GRADE: 6.3

Tackling Ability: McKenzie shows very good hip flip when attacking ball carriers, staying low in his pads in attempts to wrap and secure. He has the large hands and torpedo-like hitting ability to create turnovers, as runners need to be extra cautious protecting the ball when this linebacker puts a bead on the ball. Despite his high amount of tackles, he will generally take a side, as he does not have the raw power to hold ground on plays run right at him. He needs to stay low in his pads to be effective as bigger runners have good success breaking his arm tackles when he gets too tall in his stance. He can hit with good force due to his upper body strength, but needs to improve his lower body power base, as he lacks a strong anchor and can be stonewalled trying to attack through the gaps. He is a good hit-and-wrap tackler that will deliver some pop on contact. He is good making plays down the line, as he will strike and wrap with decent authority vs. plays in space. Still, he could use more strength in order to be more physical behind his hits. GRADE: 6.5

Run Defense: McKenzie has great success making tackles in space. He has good pursuit speed and a closing burst, showing proper wrap-up technique to secure and bring down the runner. When he waits for the ball carrier to attack him, his adequate lower body strength will see him get run over. He will make every effort to stall the fullback and make the tackle in the holes vs. the inside run, but he does not have the raw strength to stack the bigger offensive linemen. On the outside, he has more than enough foot speed to string the plays wide, along with a quick burst to the ball when working the sidelines. GRADE: 6.5

Pass Defense: McKenzie has quite an effective punch to reroute tight ends and backs in the short-area passing game. He has good timed speed, but despite his loose hips he will false step at times coming out of his backpedal (choppy in his stride and slow to turn). When the receiver gets behind him, he is slow to recover. He is best when working uncovered. In the open, he shows good flexibility and the speed to drop, but will take false steps in transition. You can see on film that he can read the quarterback's eyes, but does not seem to get a clean break out of his backpedal to jump a route or receiver. GRADE: 5.7

Zone Defense: McKenzie might be a better fit for middle linebacker, as he looks more like a Cover-2 pass defender when keeping plays in front of him. He does a good job of eyeballing the backfield, but does struggle to turn and break cleanly. GRADE: 5.5

Pass Rush and Blitz: McKenzie is a good blitzer with the speed and balance to slip past blockers. He will get stonewalled vs. double teams trying to gain inside penetration, where he has just a marginal push and gets absorbed inside. But coming off the edge, he is sudden and closes fast on the ball carrier, doing a good job staying in control on backside pursuit. GRADE: 6.4

Compares To: BARRETT RUUD, Tampa Bay -- Put McKenzie in a Cover-2 scheme and let him roam the field. With his versatility, he can line up for a few plays at each linebacker position to keep the offense's blocking schemes having to account for him at all times. He is a very good read-&-react type and does a fine job of getting everyone lined up. He needs to improve his lower body strength, but his ability to make plays on the move is his best asset.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.42

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

McKenzie appeared in a total of 49 games during his career at three universities, starting 36 times … Recorded 369 tackles (214 solos) with 4.5 sacks for minus 18 yards, 32.0 stops for losses of 102 yards, six quarterback pressures, six forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, 16 pass deflections, two interceptions and a safety as a collegian … His 237 tackles (154 solos) at South Florida was a school record over a two-year span … Also had 2.5 sacks for minus 14 yards, 22.5 stops for losses of 70 yards, two forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections and one interception while starting 24 of 26 games at South Florida … His 121 tackles in 2007 set the South Florida single-season record, topping the old mark of 117 hits by Kawika Mitchell in 2002 … His 116 tackles in 2008 tied Maurice Jones (2003) for third on USF's annual record chart … His 18 tackles vs. Pittsburgh in 2007 are topped only by J.R. Reed's 19 stops vs. Cincinnati in 2003 on the school's single-game record list.

All-American third-team selection by The NFL Draft Report … Consensus All-Big East Conference first-team pick … Started all thirteen games at strong-side outside linebacker, as the team captain led the Bulls for the second consecutive year with 116 tackles (76 solos), tied for third on the school season-record list … Had an 8-yard sack and 15.0 stops for losses totaling 36 yards, adding a pair of quarterback pressures … Deflected eight passes and gained 7 yards on one interception return … Ranked second in the Big East with an average of 8.92 tackles per game, pacing a unit that led the league and ranked tenth in the nation in both total defense (287.62 ypg) and rush defense (95.23 ypg) … On 87 running plays into his area, the opposition gained 210 yards (2.41 ypc), eleven first downs and no touchdowns, as McKenzie registered twelve third-down stops and two more on fourth-down vs. the run, including twelve tackles where he stopped the ball carrier for no gain … Involved in 36 pass plays, as the opposition completed 25 of those tosses (69.44%) for 175 yards (7.0 yards per completion/4.86 yards per attempt) and eight first downs, as the linebacker made fourteen stops on third-down pass plays … Recorded nine of his tackles inside the red zone, including eight on goal-line plays.

Tennessee Martin … McKenzie opened the season with five solo tackles, delivering three third-down hits, including an 8-yard sack of QB Cade Thompson in the second quarter … Asked after the game on how he feels about the defensive stats, he replied, "It feels great. Coach Burnham, Coach Douglas and the rest of the coaches on defense, they do such a great job preparing us for the game and game planning. We go out there and we execute. It feels great to see a stat like that."

Central Florida … The strong-side linebacker delivered seven tackles (5 solos) with a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage in a 31-24 decision … He forced UCF to punt after he pressured QB Michael Greco on a third-&-10 incomplete pass early in the third quarter … In overtime, McKenzie preserved the victory when he chased down Greco on a fourth-&-5 bootleg that netted just 4 yards … Talking about that last play in the post-game conference, he stated, "As soon as I hit him, I looked to the sideline and I was like, I got it. But then the ref checked just in case and the spot was there. I was out in coverage and I knew it was going to be a quarterback scramble. They have been trying to do that the whole game. I didn't know if I had him stopped but I had a good feeling. I looked at the sideline and saw the marker."

Kansas … Back playing against a Big 12 Conference school, McKenzie posted seven tackles, including one that took down Angus Quigley for a 1-yard loss on a screen pass with 1:09 left in the third quarter.

Florida International … McKenzie registered seven tackles for the third-straight week, making two of his stops on goal-line plays … He took down Julian Reams for a 3-yard loss on a screen pass at the start of the second quarter and killed FIU's last-ditch drive, as he leveled A'Mod Need on a first-&-goal 1-yard run at the USF and then stopped Ned for no gain on a rushing attempt as time expired.

North Carolina State … McKenzie posted just five assisted tackles, but also had his first interception for the Bulls in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh … The strong-side linebacker tallied fifteen tackles (10 solos), including fourteen on running plays which netted Pitt just 22 yards, as he had four third-down stops and took down tailback LeSean McCoy for a 2-yard loss on a late third quarter run.

Syracuse … McKenzie delivered seven tackles (5 solos) with a pair of third-down stops, including one for a 2-yard loss.

Louisville … McKenzie collected nine tackles (6 solos) that included four third-down stops.

Cincinnati … The team captain produced another nine-tackle performance, leveling tailback Jacob Ramsey for a 1-yard loss on a mid first quarter rushing attempt.

Connecticut … The strong-side linebacker registered a season-high sixteen tackles (15 solos) with three stops for losses of 9 yards and two third-down hits … On a late second quarter goal line stand, he pushed back Jordan Todman for a 1-yard loss on a first-&-goal carry … On a mid third quarter series, he leveled both Todman and tailback Donald Brown behind the line of scrimmage.

West Virginia … McKenzie recorded eleven tackles (7 solos) with another three stops behind the line of scrimmage … On a fourth quarter third-&-1 run, he blasted past guard Greg Isdaner to flatten tailback Noel Devine for a 5-yard loss.

Memphis (St. Petersburg Bowl) … McKenzie closed out his career with another eleven tackles (7 solos), as he upended Curtis Steele behind the line of scrimmage on a late second quarter rushing attempt.

All-Big East Conference second-team selection … McKenzie started eleven of thirteen games at strong-side outside linebacker, coming off the bench vs. West Virginia and Cincinnati … Despite coming out in passing situations in favor of Brouce Mompremier, he still set the school season-record with 121 tackles (78 solos), ranking fourth in the league with an average of 8.77 hits per game … Had 1.5 sacks for minus 6 yards, 7.5 stops for losses of 34 yards and three quarterback pressures … Caused and recovered a pair of fumbles … Deflected five passes and blocked a kick … Helped the team rank 28th in the nation in total defense, allowing 342.62 yards per game.

Made twelve tackles (8 solos) with a stop for a 3-yard loss in his USF debut vs. Elon … Had ten stops vs. North Carolina and seven tackles (6 solos) with a forced fumble in the West Virginia game … Added nine tackles and 1.5 stops for losses of 5 yards vs. Florida Atlantic … Collected eleven tackles (5 solos) with 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and blocked a kick vs. Rutgers … Added ten tackles vs. Connecticut and had eight more hits (6 solos) in the Cincinnati clash … Was in on nine tackles (7 solos), a stop for an 8-yard loss and a forced fumble vs. Louisville … Recorded a career-high eighteen tackles (7 solos) with an assisted sack and two stops for loss vs. Pittsburgh, as his eighteen hits rank second on the school game-record list … Deflected a pass and made ten tackles (6 solos) vs. Oregon in the Sun Bowl.

McKenzie earned All-Big 12 Conference honors as a middle linebacker (wore jersey #17) for the Iowa State Cyclones … Started all twelve games, ranking second in the league and eighth in the nation with 129 tackles (58 solos) … Had a pair of sacks for minus 14 yards and 9.5 stops for losses of 32 yards … Caused four fumbles and deflected three passes while picking off another for a 17-yard return.

In his first game for the Cyclones, McKenzie picked off a pass for a 17-yard return and had fifteen tackles with two stops for losses of 8 yards, causing a fumble while deflecting a pass vs. Toledo … Recorded eight tackles vs. Iowa and had eleven tackles (7 solos) with a 10-yard sack, a forced fumble and two stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Texas … Was in on eleven hits vs. Nebraska, followed by a season-high fifteen tackles that included 1.5 stops for loss and a safety vs. Oklahoma … Registered nine stops vs. Texas Tech and made eleven tackles with a pass break-up and a forced fumble in the Kansas State game … Had nine tackles with a stop for a loss vs. Kansas and closed out the season with eleven tackles (9 solos), causing a fumble when he sacked QB Chase Daniel for a 4-yard loss to finish the day with 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Missouri.

Was a member of Iowa State's scout team, earning Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors while he sat out his NCAA transfer season from Michigan State.

Appeared in eleven games as a reserve weak-side outside linebacker for the Michigan State Spartans (wore jersey #47), finishing with three tackles (2 solos).

2002: Suffered a broken leg in the second game of his high school junior year, missing the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to have a titanium rod inserted.

2009: Could not complete agility tests at the NFL Combine after he pulled his right hamstring on his second 40-yard dash.

Campus: 4.78 in the 40-yard dash … 1.61 10-yard dash … 2.78 20-yard dash … 4.28 20-yard shuttle … 7.31 three-cone drill … 32.5-inch vertical jump.

Combine: 4.76 in the 40-yard dash … 1.56 10-yard dash … 2.70 20-yard dash … 9'4" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times … 33 1/4-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands … Could not complete agility tests after he pulled his right hamstring on his second 40-yard dash.

Attended Riverview (Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Dan O'Regan … Rated among Florida's top 50 prospects by the Tampa Tribune … The first-team All-Hillsborough County selection by the Tampa Tribune earned second-team All-County honors from the St. Petersburg Times and was selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game in Raymond James Stadium … Rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 7.7 yards per carry in 2003 … Produced four 200-yard rushing games that season, including an 80-yard touchdown run and 230 yards vs. Jefferson … Also rushed 20 times for 205 yards and four scores vs. Brandon … Missed most of his junior season due to a broken leg suffered in the season's second game … Also lettered in track, qualifying for the 2004 state 4A track championships in the 110 hurdles.

General Management major … Son of the late Rupert McKenzie and Ruth McKenzie-Sloley and stepson of Melbourne Sloley … Born 12/11/85 in Queens, New York … Resides in Riverview, Florida.