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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Meredith entered the Nazareth Academy weight room after school May 5 and belted out the request for junior running back LaSteven McKinney to come forward and stand at attention.
McKinney followed orders as 20-plus members of the Roadrunners’ football team quickly dropped their weights.
Along with Sgt.William D. Slade, Meredith announced that McKinney has been nominated for consideration to play in the 10th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He is one of 400 national finalists for the high school senior game set for Jan. 9, 2010 at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Only 90 athletes will be selected for the game.
This year, eight players who had taken the field as U.S. Army All-Americans were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft while 21 players were selected overall.
McKinney was shocked by the honor.
“I’m at a loss of words,” said the Broadview resident, who also received a commemorative coin from the U.S. Army Chicago Recruiting Battalion. “I just thought I was going to come into the weight room for a normal workout and go outside and get some running in. When I saw the people walk in, I was like, ‘Maybe they used to go to the school or something.’ But, I got nominated. This is a big accomplishment. I really hope I get selected.”
The Army notified Nazareth head football coach Tim Racki of McKinney’s nomination more than two weeks ago. The coach was instructed to keep it a secret from the reigning Suburban Life All-Area Player of the Year.
“I kept it to myself for about a week and then I didn’t even tell his dad (Steven McKinney) until last week,” Racki said. “But it worked out great. We planned it where we would surprise him coming into the weight room where all his teammates were working out. It couldn’t have worked out any better. Really proud of him.”
Steven McKinney found himself biting his tongue during the days leading up to his son’s honor on Tuesday.
“I wanted to tell him,” said Steven McKinney, who scored five touchdowns in a game as a running back for Westinghouse in 1975, a mark which LaSteven tied against Riverside Brookfield and broke with six against Freeport this past season.
“I think he had an idea of something because he said he saw someone in a military uniform walking with Coach Racki in the hallway a few weeks ago. He asked me, “Pops, did you hear anything about the All-American Bowl?” I said, “No. I haven’t heard a thing.” So, I told my wife about it and it’s hard for her to keep a secret and she didn’t tell him. So, I hope they see something there. I’m just glad. He’s worked hard to get there.”
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Meredith entered the Nazareth Academy weight room after school May 5 and belted out the request for junior running back LaSteven McKinney to come forward and stand at attention.
McKinney followed orders as 20-plus members of the Roadrunners’ football team quickly dropped their weights.
Along with Sgt.William D. Slade, Meredith announced that McKinney has been nominated for consideration to play in the 10th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He is one of 400 national finalists for the high school senior game set for Jan. 9, 2010 at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Only 90 athletes will be selected for the game.
This year, eight players who had taken the field as U.S. Army All-Americans were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft while 21 players were selected overall.
McKinney was shocked by the honor.
“I’m at a loss of words,” said the Broadview resident, who also received a commemorative coin from the U.S. Army Chicago Recruiting Battalion. “I just thought I was going to come into the weight room for a normal workout and go outside and get some running in. When I saw the people walk in, I was like, ‘Maybe they used to go to the school or something.’ But, I got nominated. This is a big accomplishment. I really hope I get selected.”
The Army notified Nazareth head football coach Tim Racki of McKinney’s nomination more than two weeks ago. The coach was instructed to keep it a secret from the reigning Suburban Life All-Area Player of the Year.
“I kept it to myself for about a week and then I didn’t even tell his dad (Steven McKinney) until last week,” Racki said. “But it worked out great. We planned it where we would surprise him coming into the weight room where all his teammates were working out. It couldn’t have worked out any better. Really proud of him.”
Steven McKinney found himself biting his tongue during the days leading up to his son’s honor on Tuesday.
“I wanted to tell him,” said Steven McKinney, who scored five touchdowns in a game as a running back for Westinghouse in 1975, a mark which LaSteven tied against Riverside Brookfield and broke with six against Freeport this past season.
“I think he had an idea of something because he said he saw someone in a military uniform walking with Coach Racki in the hallway a few weeks ago. He asked me, “Pops, did you hear anything about the All-American Bowl?” I said, “No. I haven’t heard a thing.” So, I told my wife about it and it’s hard for her to keep a secret and she didn’t tell him. So, I hope they see something there. I’m just glad. He’s worked hard to get there.”
In addition to receiving accolades and working out, LaSteven McKinney’s offseason has included juggling college recruiters. The class of 2010 member received his first NCAA Division I offer from Eastern Michigan in early February. He also took visits to Michigan State on April 18 and Western Michigan the weekend before. Boston College and Louisville have shown interest recently with steady mail.
“First of all, the recruiting process is very exciting,” McKinney said. “I’m just trying to suck it all in and be patient. When I first got my Eastern Michigan offer it was kind of like right now — just shocked. I wasn’t really expecting it. When it happened I was more so grateful. I just talked to the Eastern Michigan coaches and they have a really good coaching staff over there, so I’m really excited to get there and check out their facilities.”
Former Michigan and 10-year NFL running back Tyrone Wheatley is the Eagles’ running backs coach and has kept tabs on McKinney.
“I talked to Coach Wheatley yesterday on the phone,” McKinney said. “He said that I’m definitely the type of player that they like and I remind them a lot of Reggie Bush. They said that they can’t see why I don’t have anymore offers yet, so it was a very good compliment and he seems like a pretty good guy.”
McKinney is currently rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and is ranked on the Web site as the country’s No. 15 all-purpose back. He also has received interest from Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Stanford and Purdue.
“I’m thinking I should have everything narrowed down by national signing day,” McKinney said. “I’m very open-minded about everything.”
The announcement May 5 continued to open McKinney’s eyes to his growing national appeal. When asked if he was glad that he came to school today, McKinney laughed.
“Yes. Definitely.”
