McKenzie moving up the charts

In what some consider a down year in the state of Alabama, there are still some top notch players. The No. 1 player in Alabama very well could be Mobile (Ala.) Davidson star tight end

27044>Gabe McKenzie. Some were even whispering that there may not be a four star player in the entire state, but after the LSU NIKE camp, not only is McKenzie a virtual four star lock, but a serious Rivals 100 candidate.

“I have picked up some more offers recently,” said McKenzie. “I have offers from Southern Miss, Florida, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Miami is sending me handwritten letters and I think they are close to offering too.”

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound McKenzie is different from most prospects. Usually as the recruiting process wears on a prospects list gets shorter, but not McKenzie.

“New teams keep offering and I’m like man that is a great school so then they end up on my list. My list right now is LSU, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Auburn.”

At the NIKE camp McKenzie ran a 4.8 40-yard dash time. There were some unusually bad times for prospects in attendance as they ran in LSU’s indoor facility. McKenzie has been timed at 4.6 in the past.

“LSU is number one on my list right now, but if Miami offers then they will be right there with them. Then I look at a school like Georgia who is on the same level with those two schools. Of course I can’t ignore the two in-state schools either. It’s just so hard with all these great schools to make a decision.”

McKenzie stated that he would like to make unofficial visits to each of his favorites over the summer. He has a 320 bench press and 405 pound squat.

“I just want to go to a school where I have a chance to rise to the top and be the best player that I can possibly be. I want to play in an offense that uses tight ends and fits my style of play. I also am looking for a cool college campus where I fit in and coaches that I get along with.”

Last season McKenzie, who carries a 2.82 GPA, caught 28 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He also sports a 38-inch vertical jump.