Isaiah McKenzie could be the SEC's next great playmaker
You don’t earn a nickname like ‘The Human Joystick’ without a few ankle-breaking touchdowns to back it up.
Only a handful of rookies at the college level last season made a splash on special teams like Georgia’s Isaiah McKenzie, a pint-sized 5-foot-8 speedster out of Miami, Fla., who returned two punts and a kickoff for scores.
McKenzie proved to be a nightmare to tackle in the open field and his progression as a wide receiver this spring has taken his game to a different stratosphere. Before a minor hamstring pull in the spring game cut his final scrimmage short, McKenzie was on the receiving end of a 73-yard touchdown pass from Brice Ramsey behind Georgia’s two-deep safeties.
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It was just a glimpse of what he can do down the field.
Brice Ramsey to Isaiah McKenzie 73 yard GDay TD pass https://t.co/R3rp2MVcen
— Kevin Causey (@CFBZ) April 13, 2015
He’s prepared to become one of the primary options in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense this fall alongside a player with a similar skillset, Terry Godwin. McKenzie comes from a rare breed of playmakers who can make a cut without losing speed, an art reserved for elite return men like former Miami star Devin Hester, a fellow South Florida native.
Based on Schottenheimer’s offensive philosophy and willingness to get the ball in the hands of his fastest players through quick passes and jet sweeps, McKenzie’s numbers may sky-rocket in the Bulldogs’ new scheme.
And he’ll still be able to do things like this on special teams:
“@UGAfootballLive: Isaiah McKenzie 💯💯 pic.twitter.com/7qws0M33a3” — rodney studstill (@RStudstill) June 21, 2015
In need of reliable big-play wideouts in the absence of Chris Conley and Michael Bennett, McKenzie figures to be in the mix at the slot position. Coach Mark Richt noticed his improvements this spring.
Richt’s quotes this offseason imply that he has high expectations for Isaiah McKenzie this season as more than just a PR, but a legit WR
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) April 19, 2015
The tricky part for Schottenheimer is making sure McKenzie, who averaged 11.2 yards per offensive touch last season, stays involved and doesn’t get discouraged on a talent rich roster. He’ll also need to save some McKenzie’s tread for the return game and share a few of his offensive touches for Godwin and Sony Michel, McKenzie’s former prep teammate at American Heritage.
To balance it out and keep defenses guessing, Schottenheimer will involve all three at some point. The reality is there’s not enough footballs to go around on a unit headlined by a sophomore workhorse Nick Chubb, whose trying to win an SEC Championship.
But if McKenzie’s utilized correctly, he’ll be an incredible asset who is poised for a breakout season.