Snake replaced by Slippery

[flsportsfan83]

Settling down at a third school

Transfer Tyrone McKenzie begins life at USF.

By Greg Auman

Published March 20, 2007

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TAMPA - Transfer once in college athletics, and you're already saddled with presumptions of baggage you must be carrying. Transfer twice? Linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, after playing at Michigan State and starring at Iowa State, starts his first spring at USF today, eager to show there's nothing more to his latest move than a desire to be closer to home and his mother.

"There was no baggage at Iowa State, and there's none here," said USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney, his head coach with the Cyclones. "What Tyrone has always been is a great reflection, on and off the field, of your football program. I'm ecstatic that he and I can be back together."

As a senior at Riverview High, McKenzie committed to Iowa State, but changed his mind and signed with Michigan State. After a year there, he transferred to Iowa State, sat out a season then shone last year. He had 128 tackles, eighth in Division I, plus four forced fumbles, an interception and a safety, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.

But he sought to be closer to his mother, Ruth Sloley, who has been limited by an undisclosed illness. The NCAA granted McKenzie a hardship waiver, allowing him to play immediately rather than sit out a year.

"He looks like a player," said Wally Burnham, USF's linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. "He's very dedicated, wants to be a great player."

Three transfers to USF got hardship waivers last year, most notably former Kansas State lineman Ryan Schmidt, who started the final eight games at right guard. With Stephen Nicholas, last year's strongside linebacker, gone, McKenzie has the opportunity to make a major impact.

"What we've seen has been encouraging," coach Jim Leavitt said. "He's got to learn our defense, and it's going to be very competitive. There are a lot of guys back there who don't want to sit on the bench."

McKenzie, a junior listed at 6 feet 2, 230 pounds, starts the spring as the top backup to sophomore Chris Robinson. Burnham said he envisions McKenzie working in much the same role as Nicholas, lining up on the strong side but shifting to weakside when USF uses a nickel package.

"He can do some of the same things. He's not as fast as Stephen, but he's got a lot of the same qualities," Burnham said.

Nicholas earned the nickname "Snake" from Burnham, for his ability to slip blockers. At Iowa State, McCarney said he called McKenzie "Slippery."

"He has great instincts and outstanding speed," McCarney said. "He made a tremendous transition coming into Iowa State, and there's no question he can do the same here. It's not physical, just a matter of learning the defense. He needs every practice, walkthrough, scrimmage and workout he can get. He can be an excellent leader on this team."

McKenzie has two years of eligibility and this spring his priority is on helping the Bulls go places they've never been before.

"I'm just going out there to prove myself to the coaches," McKenzie said. "I'm focusing on each day, each practice, so I can help us take one step closer to winning the Big East."

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/20/Sports/Settling_down_at_a_th.shtml

[Mama_Bull]

I have no doubt that he will be a big help to the Defense.  He also has had an awesome coach in McCarney, who is a huge boost to the program.

GO BULLS!!!!!!!

[flsportsfan83]

I wonder how many players have played in 3 BCS conferences?

[Mama_Bull]

I wonder how many players have played in 3 BCS conferences?

Does that really matter?  The kid didn't move because of "attitude" issues.  

When I spoke with his former coach at the Athletics banquet, he was extremely excited about his abilities and positive that the waiver would be granted, which it was.

He will give the defense that much more strength.  Isn't that what we want?

[BULLfreak]

he'll be starting by the end of spring

[flsportsfan83]

I wonder how many players have played in 3 BCS conferences?

Does that really matter?  The kid didn't move because of "attitude" issues.  

When I spoke with his former coach at the Athletics banquet, he was extremely excited about his abilities and positive that the waiver would be granted, which it was.

He will give the defense that much more strength.  Isn't that what we want?

I didnt mean anything negative. More of is he the first.

[bulls96go]

"...There are a lot of guys back there who don't want to sit on the bench."

gotta love CJL!

[BullDoug]

I wonder how many players have played in 3 BCS conferences?

I would be pretty darn hard to play in 4 in 5 yrs.  If you threw in a medical redshirt yr too it might be possible.  Does this make Mompremier a lock for the SAM?

[Greg Auman]

Mompremier is the starting weakside linebacker right now. I don't think he's in the mix on the strong side.

[Matt]

and to think that most major press outlets and opposing teams will think LB is going to be a weak point for us this year with the loss of Steven and Pat.  they will be in for a suprise.  

i think this will be USF's best defensive unit in our history (as a whole unit, not saying just LBs)