Impact linebacker Riley McKee has started off his senior year with a bang. The 5’10” 225 lbs. backer already has 16 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in just two games.
One of those sacks came last week against Marietta, which earned McKee a spot in the top plays of the week in the state of Georgia. The 2023 athlete timed the snap and went flying into the line of scrimmage where a Marietta offensive lineman attempted to pick up his blitz, but the velocity and impact of McKee was too great. He sent the offensive guard flying backward and onto his derriere, but McKee wasn’t finished, he maintained his balance and lunged at the QB for the sack.
The shear ferocity and impact of McKee’s play showcases his determination on the field, and ultimately earned him the #1 spot in the top plays for the state of Georgia. The 2023 linebacker talked about how his senior year has gone so far and where he has improved the most over the last year.
“My senior year has gone great so far. I’m having fun and enjoying very second of it!” McKee continued, “I’ve improved tremendously with play recognition and playing a lot more aggressive.”
West Forsyth has done an excellent job of developing linebackers dating back to when we first started to cover the state of Georgia and McKee really looks no different. He might lack the verticality of his counterparts, but the senior plays with good urgency and shows nice top-end acceleration to the football.
McKee doesn’t let his lack of height deter him, and instead, gets inspiration from players with similar frames.
“I’ve modeled my game after Nakobe Dean because he’s undersized but flies around and makes plays,” he said.
On the recruiting front, McKee holds offers from Birmingham Southern and Stevenson University – the ladder shortly offered after seeing last week’s film against Marietta. There is little doubt that if the senior continues his current trend of racking up negative plays that colleges will come knocking, especially if he meets his goals for the remainder of the season.
“My goals for the rest of the season are to make 100 tackles this year and 15 or more sacks. I also want to make All-County first team and All-State.”
That would put McKee in the top percentile of sack-artists in the state, which isn’t typical for a linebacker, but McKee’s intensity and acceleration to the football is a difference-maker. We are really impressed with the fluidity and quickness he shows tracking the football; there is a marked improvement in his explosiveness compared to his junior year. The savvy senior has a good football IQ and has snuffed out several screen passes that have resulted in tackles for a loss.
Going into this season, McKee was not on our radar, but the film does not lie, and we are impressed. He sports a 3.7 GPA and also serves as the team’s long snapper too, which only adds value to his resume. We suspect more colleges take an interest in McKee as the year continues and we also suspect that larger programs take a 2nd look with a preferred walk-on opportunity. A lot can happen as the fall season plays out, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter to hear the latest on McKee and the rest of the athletes across the state of Georgia.
