The Gamecocks struggled mightily without McKinley in the lineup for a three-game stretch in 2008, when he was clearly the team's most indispensable player. Called the best receiver he has ever coached, head coach Steve Spurrier had more than enough evidence to back up that statement.

McKinley's production stands out, especially when the Gamecocks' instability at quarterback is factored into his output. He set school career records for receptions and receiving yards, while also closing out his career second on the school's all-time touchdown catches list.

McKinley placed his name in the Southeastern Conference record books. His 207 receptions placed third in conference annals, becoming just the fifth SEC player to amass more than 200 catches in a career. He also became the 12th player in league history to record more than 2,700 receiving yards (2,781).

At South Cobb High School, McKinley earned All-County honors as a junior and senior. The team's quarterback threw for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 750 yards and scored 12 more scores his senior year. As a junior, he ran for 400 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing for 1,575 yards and 12 scores in 2003. He was rated the 29th-best athlete in the state of Georgia and the 54th-best athlete in the country by Rivals.com.

As a true freshman at South Carolina, he quickly adapted to life as a wide receiver, starting six games in the team's multiple receiver formation. He ranked third on the team with 25 catches for 291 yards (11.6-yard average) and a touchdown. While waiting for the opportunity to start, he occupied his playing time by returning 18 punts for a 4.6-yard average and also got to "return to his roots" briefly by taking a few snaps at quarterback.

As a sophomore, McKinley started all 13 games at flanker, beginning a string of 33 consecutive starting assignments. He pulled down 51 passes, the 10th-best season total in school history. He generated 880 yards (17.3-yard average), which ranks sixth on the Gamecocks' season-record chart, added five touchdown grabs. He also averaged 8.9 yards on 17 punt returns and completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to QB Syvelle Newton in the Kentucky clash.

Despite playing with turf toe most of the year (would undergo surgery after the season for arthritis in the toe), the second-team All-Southeastern selection moved to split end. He led the league and set the school annual record with 77 receptions. His 968 receiving yards were good for fourth on the school record chart and his nine touchdowns placed sixth.

The preseason All-American missed three games and a good portion of another due to a right hamstring strain in 2008, but still garnered All-SEC honorable mention. He led the Gamecocks with 642 yards and four scores on 54 receptions (11.9-yard average) in a return to the flanker position. He was invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, but after impressing scouts early in practices, he re-injured his hamstring.

GENERAL REPORT

GRADE: 5.98

Body Structure: McKinley has an adequate build, but shows tapered muscles, good arm length and quick feet. He has a skinny lower-body frame that could use additional bulk, but that could affect his overall quickness. He has an adequate upper body that lacks thickness and is too tight skinned to add much more muscle definition.

Athletic Ability: McKinley is a fluid open-field runner with natural quickness and outstanding foot speed, but needs to add much better upper-body strength to defeat the jam. He has very good timed speed, but is not really a vertical threat, as he drifts a lot in deep patterns and can be caught from behind. He shows good agility and balance, with the acceleration, burst, flexibility and body control to gain positive yardage after the catch when he is able to avoid tacklers (does not have the power to drive through a defender). GRADE: 6.0

Football Sense: McKinley is a former prep quarterback who never played receiver before arriving at South Carolina, but came in and started as a freshman, showing very good maturity, both on and off the field. He shows the ability to quickly learn football, doing a good job of digesting the playbook. GRADE: 6.6

Character: McKinley has been a program player at South Carolina, with no off-field trouble. He is well-respected by the staff, so much so that they honored him during the 2009 spring camp and will retire his jersey when conference rules allow it in five years. GRADE: 6.5

Competitiveness: Could be better using his hands to escape the jam and can be taken out of his game when attacked by a physical opponent. He is not much of a fan going over the middle, where he will short arm balls and does hear the defender's footsteps. GRADE: 5.3

Work Habits: Coaches say he has been good in the weight room, but lacks any form of strength to face up to the more physical defenders. He has had durability issues and his hamstring problems could be a concern, as those injuries tend to linger for receivers. From the looks of his almost frail frame, he needs to add bulk, but it will more than likely impact his timed speed. GRADE: 5.5

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 5.92

Release: McKinley's timed speed fails to translate to the football field. He does not always negotiate a clean release and gets bounced around trying to escape a physical press. He has quick feet, but lacks the strength to get a push off the defender and has to rely on his footwork and shake to elude. When he does get a clean release, he has the burst to get into his patterns. He just has to be more consistent in coming off the line of scrimmage with speed. He is able to get away from the defender when lined up wide, but struggles vs. the press and can get better. He relies strictly on his speed, as he rarely uses his upper body to separate. GRADE: 5.8

Acceleration: The one thing you see consistently is that McKinley has the speed to get on top of his routes. He shows adequate ability to adjust to the ball in flight and adequate ability to move and uncover. He has an outstanding deep burst, but marginal ability to adjust to the ball and track over his shoulder. GRADE: 6.3

Quickness: One of his greatest assets. McKinley might be a one-speed runner and needs to gear down, as he tends to out-run the ball. He comes off the snap naturally and has outstanding movement off the ball, but it is negated at times when he fails to bring his arms up to defeat the jam. When he gets a clean release, he shows explosive burst and acceleration. GRADE: 6.6

Route Running: McKinley can get in and out of breaks, but will round his cuts and there are times he will be too high in his stance coming out of his breaks. He has the ability to get better (his hamstring problems in 2008 were a detriment in this area). He does a decent job of reading the defense and will extend to catch the ball away from his frame. His best asset is his ability to uncover and come away with the reception on third down. GRADE: 6.0

Separation Ability: McKinley is a polished route runner who knows how to sell and con the defender by varying his speed and executing good head-and-shoulder fakes. He does a pretty good job of getting leverage coming out of his breaks and takes nice, short, pitter-patter steps to force the defender to commit coming out of the backpedal too early. He needs to develop more strength to prevent the defender from aggressively rerouting him. If he is left in isolated coverage, he can use his speed and burst to accelerate and get open. He's very quick in and out of his breaks, but lacks proper hand usage. GRADE: 6.6

Ball Concentration: McKinley needs to do a better job of looking the ball in on deep routes, but is a secure pass catcher on short-to-intermediate routes. He is intelligent and has improved making adjustments. He will go up and compete for jump balls, but is not the strongest receiver you will find. GRADE: 6.0

Ball Adjustment: McKinley can make the tough catch in traffic, but lacks overall finesse when trying to separate on the deep ball. He has the body control and agility to change direction, but does not have the power to break arm tackles. He has a good burst, but doesn't use his second gear much, leading him to get caught from behind. GRADE: 6.1

Leaping Ability: McKinley has the leaping ability to take the ball away. He must learn to time his leaps and bring the ball in at its highest point. GRADE: 5.5

Hands: McKinley's hands are good, but he will drop a few easy tosses (looks to run upfield before securing the ball). He shows decent courage going over the middle, but must concentrate to look the ball in. He has soft, natural hands but has to shield the ball better from defenders. He does a good job catching outside his frame and has the loose hips to torque his body to get to off-target throws and passes behind him. GRADE: 6.5

Run After the Catch: McKinley has the speed to go the distance if he gets his hands on the ball, but lacks the leg drive to break arm tackles. He can out-run any defender on the field, but looks tentative in attempts to fight for extra yardage. He shows good vision on underneath routes, but lacks a consistent second gear to elude after the catch. GRADE: 5.3

Blocking Ability: McKinley is a willing blocker but needs to add strength. He will position and pester, but shows marginal intent on contact (finesse-type). For the most part, he will get in the way, but is easily defeated by a physical defender. GRADE: 4.5

Compares To: TODD PINKSTON, ex-Philadelphia -- With his lanky frame, McKinley might not be able to stand up to typical NFL punishment. Evaluators are leery of receivers that start to develop hamstring issues, which is what eventually ended Pinkston's career. With his timed speed, McKinley should have had much more long distances receptions, but he lacks the second gear to avoid being caught from behind.

OVERALL GRADE: 5.93

--Report by Dave-Te Thomas

McKinley started 41-of-47 games, including 33 straight at South Carolina, catching 207 passes for 2,781 yards (13.43-yard average) and 19 touchdowns, adding 34 yards on 13 carries (2.62-yard average), 269 yards on 39 punt returns (6.89-yard average) and completed 1-of-2 passes for a 22-yard touchdown to finish with 3,084 all-purpose yards, an average of 65.62 yards per game … His 207 receptions shattered the old school career-record of 169 grabs by Sterling Sharpe (1983, 85-87) and rank third in Southeastern Conference annals, as he joined Earl Bennett of Vanderbilt (236, 2005-07), Craig Yeast of Kentucky (208, 1995-98), Terrence Edwards of Georgia (204, 1999-2002), and Keith Edwards of Vanderbilt (200, 1980, 82-84) as members of the SEC's 200-reception club … Became the fifth player in school history to gain over 2,000 yards receiving, as his 2,741 yards (11th on the SEC all-time record list) toppled Sterling Sharpe (2,497) from the Game-cocks' top spot on that record chart … His 19 touchdowns tied Robert Brooks (1988-91) and Jermale Kelly (1997-2000) for second in school history, topped by Sidney Rice (23, 2005-06) … Established a school record with 77 receptions in 2007 (tied for 11th in SEC annals with Chris Collins of Mississippi in 2003 and Keenan Burton of Kentucky in 2006), breaking the previous mark of 74 catches by Sterling Sharpe in 1986 … The only other South Carolina player to catch 70 passes in a season was Sidney Rice, who made 72 grabs in 2006 and 70 more in 2005 … His 968 yards receiving in 2007 placed fourth on the school list behind Sidney Rice (1,143 in 2005 and 1,090 in 2006) and Sterling Sharpe (1,106 in 1986) … His nine touchdown catches in 2007 tied Zola Davis (1995) for sixth on the Gamecocks' annual record chart … McKinley's average of 17.3 yards per reception in 2006 is the ninth-highest season average by a South Carolina player … His 14 receptions vs. Tennessee in 2007 tied the school record that was first set by Zola Davis vs. Vanderbilt in 1998 (also rank 11th on the SEC game-record list) … Holds the school record by catching at least one pass in 43 contests during his career, the longest active streak in the conference.

All-Southeastern Conference honorable mention … McKinley started 10 games at flanker, missing the Georgia, Wofford and Alabama-Birmingham contests and a good portion of the Vanderbilt clash after suffering a right hamstring strain vs. the Commodores … The team compiled a 2-2 record with their star receiver out of the lineup … Returned to lead the team to the Outback Bowl, as he also paced the squad with 54 receptions for 642 yards (11.9-yard average) and four touchdowns … His average of 5.4 receptions per game led the SEC receivers, while his 64.2 receiving yards per game placed fifth … Also carried twice for a pair of yards.

North Carolina State … McKinley opened the season with six receptions for 37 yards … Record Watch-With his 10-yard reception in the first quarter, senior Kenny McKinley tied the school record with his 34th-consecutive game with a reception … Collecting six catches, he now needs just 11 more to break Sterling Sharpe's school-record of 169 career receptions.

Vanderbilt … The flanker had just three catches for 23 yards, but one was good for a 19-yard score on a third-&-goal toss in the first quarter … Record Watch- McKinley became the sole owner of the school record for consecutive games with a reception, collecting a pass for the 35th-straight outing … His 19-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter was the 16th of his career, giving him sole possession of sixth place in school history … He is one out touchdown catch out of fifth place, currently held by Sterling Sharpe and Zola Davis … Moved into fifth place in career receiving yards adding 23 tonight to sit at 2,199 in his career.

Georgia, Wofford, and Alabama-Birmingham … Missed these three games due to a right hamstring injury that he suffered versus Vanderbilt.

Mississippi … McKinley returned to action, pulling down four passes for 58 yards … Record Watch-Picked up a 14-yard catch in the third quarter to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 36 … Moved second place in career receptions with 166 in his career. He is just three behind Sterling Sharpe (1983-87), who has the school record of 169 … McKinley's 58 yards receiving moved him into third place with 2,257 career receiving yards. Zola Davis (1995-98) is in second place with 2,354, and Sharpe's school record is 2,497.

Kentucky … The senior grabbed seven passes for 88 yards … Late in the first quarter, Chris Smelley found McKinley with a 16-yard scoring strike … The receiver turned the ball over after fumbling a 9-yard grab near midfield in the second stanza … The teams combined for six turnovers. Kentucky's defense got three of its four takeaways in the first quarter yet still trailed by a touchdown at the beginning of the second … Smelley appeared to connect with Kenny McKinley for an 8-yard gain, but Kentucky's Trevard Lindley ripped the ball out of his hands and took it 28 yards to put the Wildcats ahead 7-0 … Record Watch-On South Carolina's next drive, McKinley broke Sterling Sharpe's South Carolina record with his 170th career reception but immediately coughed up the ball up again. It was recovered by Kentucky's Marcus McClinton … With his reception in the opening South Carolina drive, McKinley marked his 37th straight game with at least one reception dating back to the 2005 season … Additionally, McKinley's 11-yard reception in the second quarter tied Sterling Sharpe with 169 career receptions, while his 9-yard catch, which resulted in a fumble during the same drive, broke the school record with his 170th career reception … Now holds the all-time career record for receptions (173).

Louisiana State … McKinley added to his school record totals with four receptions for 77 yards … With LSU up 10-3, South Carolina scored two touchdowns in the final 2:28 of the first half. QB Stephen Garcia led the Gamecocks on a four-play drive highlighted by the freshman's 41-yard throw to McKinley and a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Weslye Saunders … Head Coach Steve Spurrier: "Kenny [McKinley] had some big plays for us though. Maybe we should have tried to run a bit more. We can't seem to get too many yards though." … Record Watch-McKinley extended his school record for consecutive games with at least one reception to 38, catching an 18-yard pass in the first quarter … With 77 receiving yards, McKinley moved past Zola Davis (1995-98) into second place in school history with 2,422 career receiving yards. He is 75 yards behind school-record holder Sterling Sharpe (1983-87), who amassed 2,497 receiving yards in his career.

Tennessee … The flanker gained 50 yards on four catches, as QB Stephen Garcia hit McKinley on a slant pattern for an all-too-easy score and a 21-0 lead … Head coach Steve Spurrier commented on McKinley being the only receiver to catch a pass vs. the Vols, stating, "We didn't throw too much. We got the lead, and we felt like we didn't need to make any serious mistakes to win the game. Our defense is playing too well to even attempt anything that could go wrong. We tried to win the game, and it turned out that was the correct way to approach it." … Record Watch-McKinley extended his school record for consecutive games with a reception to 39 games with a catch in the first quarter … His second-quarter touchdown reception moved him past Sterling Sharpe (1983-87) and Zola Davis (1995-98) into sole possession of fourth place in school history with 18 career receiving touchdowns. He is one shy of second place, which is currently shared by Robert Brooks (1988-91) and Jermale Kelly (1997-2000).

Arkansas … McKinley had the only 100-yard performance for 2008, gaining 130 yards on seven receptions … QB Stephen Garcia came off the bench and hit McKinley with a 30-yard pass to the Arkansas 14. Two plays later, Garcia rushed past the Razorbacks for a 14-yard touchdown … The flanker set up a 37-yard third quarter field goal with 23 and 10-yard grabs … With 0:03 left in the third quarter, Garcia lofted a pretty pass into the waiting hands of McKinley for a 15-yard score to put the Gamecocks up 27-14 … Asked about his 130-yard performance on Senior Day, McKinley said, "It was a big game to have it on. It was my last day here (at Williams-Brice). This is a blessing to come out here for my last game at home. We had a good game on offense. The defense played pretty good. Everybody played well. It came around." … On his memories of Williams-Brice Stadium, he noted, "This is my foundation. This is where it all started for me. I played quarterback in high school so this is where it all started for me (as a receiver). I thank the fans, Coach Spurrier, Jr., all of the guys ahead of me, and all of my teammates now." … On Sterling Sharpe, he replied, "It's a big accomplishment just to be mentioned with Sterling Sharpe. He called me when I broke his first record, and I was just like a little boy. He's one of the greats, and just for me to talk to him, to pick his brain a little and gain knowledge from him is a big thing. I'm just so humble about this." … Record Watch-McKinley had seven catches for 130 yards and, with 2,602 yards, surpassed Sterling Sharpe as the school's career yardage leader … Became the school record holder for career receiving yards on the second play of the Gamecocks' first drive, as he reeled in Stephen Garcia's 30-yard pass. McKinley ended the game with 130 yards to put his career total at 2,602. The grab also extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 40 … Moved into a tie for second place in school history with his 19th career touchdown reception. His total matches that of Robert Brooks (1988-91) and Jermale Kelly (1997-2000). All three are four behind school-record holder Sidney Rice (2005-06), who collected 23 … McKinley ended the game with 130 yards receiving, tying Moe Brown for the most by a receiver in a game this season.

Florida … It was a quite day, as the flanker managed just 37 yards on six catches … Record Watch-McKinley moved up three spots in the SEC's all-time receptions category with six catches on the day. He now stands tied for seventh all-time in the SEC with 194 catches in his career along with Alabama's DJ Hall and Kentucky's Anthony White … Also had 37 receiving yards, bringing his career total to 2,637 … Extended his school-record streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 41 games. That is the sixth-longest streak in the country and the best in the SEC.

Clemson … McKinley gained 56 yards on seven grabs … Record Watch-Extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 42 with his 14-yard reception midway through the first quarter. That ranks as the longest in the SEC and among the nation's top five. His seven receptions today equaled a season-high … With his sixth catch, McKinley became the fifth player in SEC history to record 200 catches in a career. He now stands fourth all-time in league history in that category with 201 career receptions.

Iowa (Outback Bowl) … The team captain closed out his career with six receptions for 86 yards … His third-&-15 grab for 20 yards set up a 48-yard field goal in the closing minutes of the game … Record Watch- In his final contest as a Gamecock, McKinley extended his school-record receptions streak to 43 games, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation … Ended his illustrious career as the school's all-time leader and third in SEC history with 207 receptions … Also completed one pass on the day for 12 yards.

All-American third-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, earning honorable mention from College Football News … All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice by the league's coaches and Associated Press … Started all 12 games at split end, setting the school season-record with 77 receptions, as his 968 receiving yards (12.6-yard average) ranked fourth and his nine touchdowns ranked tied for sixth on the Gamecocks' annual record charts … Gained over 100 yards receiving in four games, as his average of 6.42 receptions and 80.67 receiving yards per game led the conference … Led the team in receiving in ten games … Added 15 yards on five carries (3.0-yard average) and 35 yards on four punt returns (8.8 average), finishing second on the squad with 1,018 all-purpose yards, an average of 84.83 yards per game … Also saw brief action on defense, deflecting a pass and making a solo tackle vs. North Carolina … Given the Ernest A. Brooks Memorial Award for the MVP of the Carolina-Clemson game … Shared the Joe Morrison Award as the Offensive Player of the Spring with Blake Mitchell.

Opened the season with 44 yards and a score on six catches vs. Louisiana-Lafayette and pulled down seven passes for 102 yards vs. Georgia … Scored twice on four receptions for 107 yards vs. Mississippi State … Added five grabs for 64 yards and a 30-yard score in the North Carolina game … Tied the school game-record with 14 receptions, gaining a career-high 151 yards with a 30-yard touchdown vs. Tennessee … Followed with 72 yards on seven catches vs. Arkansas and added another seven grabs for 95 yards in the Florida clash … Closed out the season with 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight catches vs. Clemson.

Took over flanker duties, starting all 12 games as a sophomore … Ranked second on the team with 51 receptions, ranking 10th on the school season-record list, as he piled up 880 yards (17.3-yard average), the sixth-best season total by a Gamecock … Produced five touchdown catches and gained 100 yards receiving vs. Auburn … Returned 17 punts for 151 yards (8.9-yard average) and completed his only pass attempt vs. Kentucky, finding QB Syvelle Newton with a 22-yard touchdown toss … Finished third on the squad with 1,031 all-purpose yards, an average of 79.31 yards per game.

Gained 60 yards on four grabs vs. Georgia and 110 yards with a score on eight catches in the Auburn clash … Pulled in seven passes for 87 yards and a 25-yard touchdown vs. Arkansas … Followed with five receptions for 71 yards vs. Florida and had five more catches, good for 86 yards vs. Middle Tennessee, adding 53 yards on four punt returns … Made five grabs for 66 yards vs. Clemson and totaled 112 yards with a pair of touchdowns on three receptions, also gaining 11 yards on a punt return in a 44-36 decision over Houston in the Liberty Bowl.

McKinley played in 12 games, starting vs. Troy, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Clemson and Missouri (Independence Bowl) in the team's multiple receiver formation … Ranked third on the team with 25 catches for 291 yards (11.6-yard average) and a touchdown … Rushed five times for 17 yards (3.4 average) and returned 18 punts for 83 yards (4.6-yard average) … Attempted one pass in the Tennessee clash … Gained 391 all-purpose yards, an average of 32.58 yards per game.

His first career catch was good for 26 yards vs. Georgia … Had four receptions for 42 yards vs. Kentucky and five catches for 54 yards in the Tennessee tilt … Pulled in three passes for 58 yards and a 42-yard score vs. Arkansas … Returned three punts for 29 yards and caught one pass for 12 yards vs. Missouri in the Independence Bowl.

2007: Underwent surgery in late December for arthritis in his toe and was limited in 2008 spring camp as a precaution.

2008: Left the Vanderbilt game (9/04) with a right hamstring strain that would sideline him for the next three contests vs. Georgia (9/13), Wofford (9/20) and Alabama-Birmingham (9/27).

2009: Re-injured his hamstring at Senior Bowl practices (1/24).

Combine: 4.37 in 40-yard dash … 1.46 10-yard dash … 2.53 20-yard dash … 4.10 20-yard shuttle … 6.98 three-cone drill … 37-inch vertical jump … 9'5" broad jump … 30 1/2-inch arm length … 8 3/4-inch hands.

Attended South Cobb (Mableton, Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Shane Queen … Earned All-County honors as a junior and senior … The team's quarterback threw for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 750 yards and scored 12 more scores his senior year … As a junior, he ran for 400 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing for 1,575 yards and 12 scores in 2003 … Rated the 29th-best athlete in the state of Georgia and the 54th-best athlete in the country by Rivals.com.

Retailing major … Born 1/31/87 … Resides in Mableton, Georgia.