FAQs: DT Commit Zack McKinney
As successful as Oklahoma has been on the recruiting trail in 2017, Rivals250 defense end Isiaiah Thomas was becoming lonely as the sole defensive line commitment for Calvin Thibodeaux. That changed Saturday when the Sooners landed a huge - literally - commitment from Weatherford (Texas) 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive tackle Zacchaeus McKinney.
Here are the answers to what you may have been wondering about Oklahoma's newest football commitment.
Is McKinney really 6-5, 280?
Straight from the source:
"I'm probably a lot closer to 300, but yeah that's right."
Where does McKinney fit in Oklahoma's defensive scheme?
The Sooner defensive line has primarily been a three-man front, but has shown signs of being multiple - especially in its personnel. Guys like Neville Gallimore and Du'Vonta Lampkin are capable of playing the nose or kicking out to play defensive end. Even though McKinney is listed as a defensive tackle, there has been some question on where exactly he plays in Thibodeaux's group.
"Well, Oklahoma's defense has all types of fronts, so I'm not sure," McKinney would then go on to speculate, "Interior three-technique shade," which is more of a throwback to penetrating 4-3 tackles like Gerald McCoy and Tommie Harris, leaving the crystal ball for McKinney's positional future clouded and likely flexible.
Did McKinney play any other sports in high school?
"I played basketball my freshman year, but besides that no. Just working my butt off in the football offseason."
Does McKinney have a favorite team or player?
McKinney, a lifelong football fan, said he has one player who stands out as his favorite.
"Oh yeah, Cam Newton is my guy."
Which makes sense.
The two are nearly the same size.
What number does McKinney plan on wearing at Oklahoma?
"I hope to wear a number with seven in it. Seven is God's number of completion."
Was there anything symbolic behind committing to Oklahoma right after receiving an offer from Texas?
Just hours before committing, McKinney had picked up an offer from Tom Herman's new staff at Texas, a fact many Sooner fans enjoyed.
However, McKinney downplayed the timing as a coincidence.
"It just happened to happen like that. I wanted to attend the University of Oklahoma. Over Texas."
When does McKinney arrive in Norman?
McKinney will graduate in the spring and report in Norman with most of the incoming freshmen that summer.
Whose game does McKinney emulate?
When naming a comparison for McKinney's style of play, the Texas native referred to the only defensive player in Big 12 history to be a Heisman finalist.
"Ndamukong Suh. (He) is a dog."
How quickly can McKinney make an impact?
With the move of former linebacker Arthur McGinnis to defensive end, the Sooners will now have six underclassmen returning along the defensive line (McGinnis, Amani Bledsoe, Gabriel Campbell, Kenneth Mann, Neville Gallimore, and Du'Vonta Lampkin). Veterans Matt Romar, Marquise Overton, and D.J. Ward are also expected to be back.
However, Oklahoma rotated six-plus linemen regularly throughout the year and both Bledsoe and Overton played significantly as true freshmen in the last two seasons. So the opportunity is still there for McKinney to see the field next season, but it's up to him to convince the coaches they can't leave him off the field.
"The playing situation simply comes down to me. If I'm ready to go out and play, then I will. That's what the coaches and I want, but if I'm not (ready), I won't play."
"But I'll be ready. Trust and believe that."