Have you ever heard of Shai McKenzie?? Anybody?? You over there put your hand down, I know you're trying to act like a know it all.
Anyways, I'd keep a close close eye on 2014 PA RB Shai McKenzie, for many reasons. First, go over to YouTube or Hudl. I prefer Hudl, you get longer highlight tapes, I'll send you on your way here and come back and comment.
The reason why I created a thread for this kid, is mainly because he is a sleeper. People will know his name sooner or later and I'd like to get that train rolling now. Ohio State has started to contact Shai recently and I've heard comparisons of him being our next Beanie Wells, well of course Bri'onte Dunn is supposed to fill that role to most people, I think Shai already has the build and speed to become the next Wells. He's about the same size as Dunn, but he's only a Junior. Right now he is listed at 212lbs. He's still growing. He will blow up, in my opinion, during his senior season or in the offseason for that matter. Already has offers from schools such as Duke, Toledo, UConn, Pitt, Youngstown St, and the one that stands out is Purdue. In his last game of the regular season he ran for 343 yards and six touchdowns, in the first half alone, in a victory over Waynesburg. In his most recent game, he finished with 260 yards and six touchdowns in a first-round victory over Shady Side Academy to improve his season totals to 2,162 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Thanks Gene, I love elevenwarriors and everything the writers contribute, but I find myself coming back each night to check the forum for your recruiting quick bits and posts like this to stay up to speed!
@ GENESTARWIND --- haha, I had my hand up, brother!
First of all, let me say that you, sir, are an animal! I mean that in the best way. Your recruiting info. is top-notch, the "Quick Bits" are great & even the way they're formatted is concise & clear.
But, to the point - I have heard of McKenzie out of Washington, PA (same place Andrew Sweat is from). McKenzie plays for the Washinton Prexies, (Sweat played for Trinity).
I saw the highlights of that against game against Shady Side Friday. McKenzie dominated. He tore it up with 6 TDs against SSA. I agree that he would be a great sleeper recruit.
I think the only thing that the staff will be hestitant on is that Washington High is a AA school. Having lived here & having played high school football here in Pennsylvania, I can tell you that the schools are classified by size and traditionally the best competition is AAAA, and so on down AAA, AA, & A - which is the small schools. * Keep in mind, though: Jeannette High - where Terrelle Pryor & Jordan Hall played, is Class AA too. So, you can find some sleepers in these smaller/perceived as weaker competition schools.
I like where your head's at with this one, though. It's funny - I've heard his name a lot around here during the season, and saw those highlights Friday and was wondering myself if OSU would be on his radar. 2100 + yards & 36 TDs against most anybody is pretty darn impressive.
Another name to watch for is a kid from right near where I live, (Butler County), by the name of Forrest Barnes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOXIhZzY17c, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6afj1bhD6o4). He could be another sleeper candidate. He plays for Seneca Valley (Class AAAA school) & plays in a tough league, the Quad North, which includes the likes of North Hills (famous alum: LaVar Arrington), Butler (famous alum: Rich Saul, Terry Hanratty), Central Catholic (famous alum: Dan Marino) & North Allegheny. NA has a lot of solid D1 prospects this season. Barnes is having a great season, but is a little under-the-radar himself. I think the drawback could be his size, (listed as 5'11'', 190 - but he's closer to 5'9 1/2", 180), but he seems like a Jordan Hall-type. Not as small as Hall, and maybe not as much breakaway speed, but very shifty & hits the hole hard with great cutback vision. Barnes can also catch the ball out of the backfield very well. He's got close to 1200 yards & I think 17 TDs, averaging about 7 1/2 ypc & 147 ypg against some good competition. The only bad game was against juggernaut North Allegheny, but SV got behind to NA by so much so fast that SV abandoned the run & he only carried the ball 9 times.
Ultimately, I don't think OSU will recruit Barnes, especially with the limited schollys, but I think he'll make a great back in the MAC. But, I think this McKenzie kid is special. He has more pure speed, too. I just hope it translates to the next level of competition. I'm with you on this McKenzie kid, and I'm glad the staff has started to contact him. Thanks for the information.
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
Thanks Gene well take a look see!
Edit: ok so wow I can def see the Beanie comp this kid might be more fluid as a runner though. Doesnt hurt that he wears #28 lol :) and ill go out on a limb and say Purdue wont be his best offer when all said and done.
I enjoyed your post Bucks43201, very insightful. Always great to have someone that lives in the area to fill everyone else in. I thank you for the post and your time.
thank Gene, right back at ya --- love the Quick Bits
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
If you follow Bob Lichtenfels, he has been jocking this kid for some time now. And he is pretty reliable.
I was gonna say no one will ever be like Beanie based on size/speed alone, they have to also posess this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f718Ei0TAck but I saw some great stiff arms in that video as well! And he wears #28...... :)
Pick up your feet, turn your corners square! And DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE!!!
Good find Gene. He even looks like Wells while running.
ahhh, good ole Washington Prexies. Practiced on their field a few times when I played at Washington and Jefferson College when we had to get ready for a game on grass..... They have a HUGE crown on the field. Feels like I was running up hill, then down hill right after I crossed the middle of the field from sideline to sideline, haha
your pic looks familiar, when were you at W&J? I played there 2001-2003, Banazak's last year and beginning of Sirianni's head coaching tenure there. not surprised the field was crowned, there are a lot of hills in that part of the state, lol.
All the games of the season are just practices for that glorious saturday in November when we get to jack Shoelace's invisible cereal bowl and drink our fill of delicious skunkweasel tears ...Michigan Still Sucks!!
I'll try to get in touch with Shai to get the scoop thanks Gene...it also says he plays OLB....would love to see him there.....
Unfortunately kids like this could potentially get lost in the 2014 shuffle...Jalen Hurd, Jon Haden, Myles Autry, Scott from NC, etc. are all elite backs and OSU probably only needs to take 1, maybe 2 (maybe 3 if one is an ATH like Autry that plays CB or Meyer makes another Haden a CB)
Shai McKenzie: 6' 0" 215 lbs. 4.4 40 time. Strong, fast with great quickness. Has good stiff arm. Tremendous upside as he is only a Junior. Also plays OLB. McKenzie is best RB in Pennsylvania at any level. If OSU isn't actively recruiting this kid they are missing the boat as he is a better RB than any RB they are pursuing for 2014. Don't let him coming from a small school fool you. He will be very successful at the next level. An added plus: Good GPA and impeccable character!
In His Hands
Watching his tape, I think he's a notch below Hurd, but I'd take them both in a heartbeat.
Kid does have a very similar running style to Beanie. Got that high step going.
dude looks awesome... hope our staff gets on this kid soon
I've actually heard of him...he's a good RB as well as OLB. It would be nice for the staff to take a chance on him instead of Haden. Hurd is #1 on OSU's board I'm sure...I still want either Hood or Shai after him. I'm not sure if they're going after two RBs in the 2014 class or not...??? Guess we'll see over the next year if OSU really wants Shai at LB or RB or at all.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Thank you Gene been reading your quick bits for months!!!
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