Dutchtown’s Jamarion McKinney was named our Week 1 Player of the Week after his incredible 143-yard receiving game where he found the endzone 4 different times. The explosive 6′ 176 lbs. junior was a consistent weapon running excellent routes, and his 4 touchdowns assisted in the 47-28 win over Stockbridge, who was last year’s 4A runner-up.
McKinney entered his junior year ready to make a name for himself, and his first game performance will go down as a classic.
“My junior season is off to a strong start, and I’m proud of the hard work that’s gotten me to this point. With 9 receptions, 143 yards, and 4 touchdowns, I feel like this could be my breakout season. My offensive coordinator put together a solid game plan, and I focused on executing it to the best of my ability,” McKinney said.
McKinney remains humble about his great first performance and even saw areas to improve.
“After reviewing the game footage, I see areas where I can improve, and I’m committed to making those adjustments to keep the momentum going and help my team succeed,” he said.
An athlete doesn’t improve all at once. McKinney’s offseason started immediately at the start of the year in January and kept focus on taking his physicality to another level.
“In January, I began speed and agility training with coach Dwight Johnson and his team at Total Athlete in McDonough. The extra work in the offseason has made me stronger and faster, enhancing my physical presence on the field. But more importantly, this past year has increased my confidence in my abilities and athleticism, which I believe will make a big difference in my performance this season.”
McKinney’s route running is excellent, and the burst coming out of his breaks allows him to create separation consistently. The junior is quickly becoming a go-to receiver for Dutchtown. He has several goals to achieve, both in the short term and long.
“My short-term goals are to stay consistent, keep working hard with my teammates, and continue building our chemistry both on and off the field.” He continued, “My long-term goal for this season is simple: win a state championship. That should be the ultimate goal for any athlete, in high school and beyond!”
Dutchtown’s opening night victory against Stockbridge sets the tone for that ladder goal becoming a reality, but the reclassified 5A is a tough cookie to crack. Dutchtown will have their work cut out, but upperclassmen like McKinney will make all the difference.
On the recruiting front, we asked McKinney whether any schools have been in contact yet and whether he planned to visit any colleges this fall. His response was incredibly thoughtful, measured for his years, and more importantly, authentic.
“I haven’t heard from any schools yet, but I am confident that I will this year. As of now, I will continue to show off my skills and ability game after game. I believe that every athlete has their own journey. I also try not to focus on what hasn’t happened but what I know will happen as long as I keep my faith, work harder than most, and remain humble.”
He continued talking about college visits, and what he is looking for educationally.
“This fall, I plan to visit several colleges, with a focus on exploring engineering programs and campuses that could shape my athletic and academic journey. Georgia has some excellent football programs, and I’m excited to see what they offer before looking at schools out of state. Ultimately, my priority is finding the college—whether in-state or out-of-state—that best fits my future, both on the field and in the classroom.”
That’s an incredible response. Answers like Jamarion McKinney’s are a foundational reason for this platform’s existence. His recruitment will have many ups and downs, that’s the reality of college recruiting, but the gravity of his words should echo to recruits across the country.
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