Kenny McKinley ranked 15 in 107.5 The Game's Top 30 Gamecocks
In honor of the 30th South Carolina football season in the SEC, 107.5 The Game will be ranking the top 30 players in program history. At the halfway point, former wide receiver Kenny McKinley joined the list at No. 15.
McKinley, a three-star prospect, was a talented quarterback at South Cobb High School in Avondale Estates, Georgia. During his senior year, he passed for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also a threat with his legs, running for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns. He committed to Lou Holtz and South Carolina football on Nov. 15, 2004. Three days later, Holtz announced he would be retiring after the season, leaving McKinley to reconsider his decision.
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However, when South Carolina hired Steve Spurrier to become the next head coach, McKinley stayed and signed his letter of intent on Feb. 1, 2005. While Spurrier knew he could play quarterback, he had other plans for him. With Blake Mitchell starting under center, McKinley’s athletic capabilities helped him transition into a wide receiver.
“He was the only guy I ever recruited that I never saw catch or drop a ball ever,” former wide receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. told 107.5 The Game. “He was electric with the ball in his hands and just such a talented young man. We knew he could play just about anything.”
As a true freshman, McKinley didn’t see the field much at first, making due as a punt returner. Though, as the season went on, he’d work his way into the starting lineup for six games. On Nov. 5, he caught his first career touchdown against Arkansas. At the end of the year, he ranked third on the team with 25 catches for 291 yards and returned 18 punts for 83 yards.
In 2006, McKinley saw his role increase as a wide receiver. He started all 13 games and recorded 51 receptions for 880 yards, only second behind Sidney Rice. He even had a few breakout games along the way. His best game came against Auburn, where he hauled in eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. In the Liberty Bowl against Houston, he caught two fourth quarter touchdowns, both of which were 43 yards each. South Carolina would go on to defeat the Cougars 44-36.
Rice moved onto the NFL in 2007, leaving No. 1 receiver duties to McKinley. Despite dealing with turf toe for most of the year, he had his best season with the Gamecocks. McKinley the SEC in receptions (77), receptions per game (6.42) and receiving yards per game (80.7). He finished with 968 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He had four 100-yard receiving games, including a two touchdown game against hated rival Clemson. After the season, he made the All-SEC First-Team.
Spurrier Jr. said McKinley was always eager to learn, especially from Rice.
“I think Sidney had a big impact on him. He always wanted to be like him and he hung out with him and always observed all the things that he did so well,” he said.
In 2008, McKinley, now in his senior year, was hopeful to have another spectacular season. However, injuries continued to be impactful, as he missed three games with a right hamstring strain. Despite that setback, he still had a nice year, setting school career records for receptions and receiving yards. He also finished second on South Carolina’s all-time touchdown catches list.
For his career, McKinley snagged 207 passes and became the fifth SEC player to amass more than 200 catches. He finished with 2,781 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.
After leaving South Carolina football, McKinley was selected 141st overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2009 NFL Draft. He found his way onto the field as a kick returner during his rookie year. He returned seven kicks for 158 yards. Towards the end of the season, McKinley suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve list.
On Sept. 20, 2010, McKinley was found dead at his Colorado home. Local detectives believed he was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was later confirmed McKinley’s death came by way of suicide.
When he heard the news, Spurrier Jr. said it hit him hard, especially considering McKinley was at South Carolina’s game against Georgia one week earlier.
“During his rehab he was in Columbia and came back for a game, played Georgia that week. We got to see him and I remember I introduced him to Ace Sanders, who was a true freshman. I said, ‘Kenny, this is our next Kenny McKinley, this guy right here,'” Spurrier Jr. said.
Nearly 12 years since his untimely death, many still remember McKinley as one of the best to ever play for South Carolina football.
“What a special young man he was and my opportunities to be around him were outstanding,” Spurrier Jr. said. “There were so many things he did so well. Always a big smile on his face, loved football. He was really a special young man.”
