Verone

McKinley III

McKinley (5'11/196) is a former four-star prospect from the 2018 prep cycle who has started almost every one of Oregon’s games since their 2019 opener against Auburn. This year he recorded 939 snaps predominantly as a free safety, though he would also slide up into the box and matchup in with the opposing slot receiver when needed. McKinley recorded rather pedestrian PFF defensive grades of 67.7, 66.5 and 64.3 over the past three years, but flashed major ball skills by picking off six passes this year. Better in coverage than in run support, he allowed 18 receptions on 30 targets for a pristine 65.3 NFL Passer Rating when targeted. McKinley will suit up for the National team and begin practicing immediately.

McKinley has another year-plus before he puts pen to paper with a college program, but he is already beginning to sort out his options. Said the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder, “I’m looking for early playing time and a communications program. That’s something I’ve been looking at especially with the coaching changes, I’ve made sure to look at the school and the program more.” He specifically name-checked Texas A&M, Clemson, Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as teams who were charging hard for his pledge. Expect McKinley -- Rivals’ No. 241 prospect in the 2018 class -- to release a top-five (or thereabouts) in the coming weeks, with a potential spring commitment coming down the pike.

“Other elite corners generally seem a step faster than McKinley,” Krueger writes, “but not many have the same sense of timing and feel for when to get his head around to search out passes and make plays on the ball.” The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder was considering making a commitment this spring, but as of yet, one has not materialized. Krueger notes that offers from Oregon and Washington might have piqued his interest since he first released a top-nine earlier this offseason. Rivals ranks McKinley as the No. 27 cornerback in the 2018 cycle.

McKinley (5'10/17) hopes to check out Nebraska/Rutgers (September 23) and LSU/Texas A&M (November 25), but he insisted that he is still strong with the Ducks despite a little bit of a wandering eye. The Cornhuskers are looking like the team most likely to swipe him away from Eugene should he have a change of heart. Rivals’ No. 31 cornerback prospect in the 2018 cycle, McKinley’s edge comes not in a huge athletic advantage over his competition, but more in an innate feel for defensing passes and a keen eye for the field.

McKinley plans on making his commitment at some point before the end of July. In addition to Oregon and Washington, UCLA is also in play for the pledge. While the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder hails from Carrollton, Texas, almost all of his focus has been on schools out west (somewhat unusual for a Texas athlete), though he did tag Alabama, Penn State and Nebraska as possible contenders from the other side of the Mississippi. Rivals ranks McKinley as the No. 27 cornerback prospect for the 2018 cycle.