Vols Recruiting: Kahlil McKenzie Commits To Tennessee
By Zach Ragan
The Vols did a lot to solidify their defensive line on Thursday, landing a commitment from 2015 five-star defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie.
McKenzie is a game-changing 6’4″/341 lb defensive tackle from Concord, CA (Clayton Valley). 247Sports rates him as the seventh best player in the state of California and the sixth best defensive tackle in the nation (though that could change after his impressive performance at “The Opening”).
If anyone thought Kahlil McKenzie would do anything BUT dominate at #TheOpening you must have been smokin that stuff. @KM1_Era
— The Nation. (@SportsRecruits) July 9, 2014
Scout 5-star DT Kahlil McKenzie has a plethora of weapons + 6-3, 341 and has used that skill set to win his last 2 reps w/ease.
— Danny Parker (@TheDannyParker) July 9, 2014
http://t.co/zQ4GlqmpFj 5-star DT Kahlil McKenzie one-on-one during The Opening here at NIKE. https://t.co/gKXKEGyUk6
— Danny Parker (@TheDannyParker) July 8, 2014
McKenzie’s performance at The Opening was impressive enough to earn him 2014 DL MVP honors.
DL MVP y'all!!! Truly blessed and shocked!!! Great group of D lineman man!! #TheOpening #TeamGod pic.twitter.com/gmMVSmIbgS
— Kahlil McKenzie Jr. (@Kahlil_Mckenzie) July 11, 2014
The California native chose Tennessee over Arizona. He also had offers from Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas and USC, among many others.
If McKenzie sticks to his commitment and signs (all indications are that he’s shutting it down after committing to UT), then he will easily be the top player that Butch Jones has signed through three recruiting cycles.
Jones has done plenty to address the Vols’ defensive line deficiencies, but McKenzie gives Tennessee a potential star that will have fans recalling the days of John Henderson.
If the Vols keep recruiting like this, the SEC better watch out in 2016 and beyond.