Tyrone McKenzie

Tyrone McKenzie (born December 11, 1985) is an American football coach and former linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He debuted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010 and also played for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at South Florida.

Tyrone McKenzie
No. 53, 44, 50, 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1985-12-11) December 11, 1985
Queens, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Riverview (Riverview, Florida)
College:
NFL Draft:2009 / Round: 3 / Pick: 97
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Big East (2008)
  • Second-team All-Big East (2007)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2006)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:17
Forced fumbles:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

McKenzie attended Riverview High School where he was a first-team All-Hillsborough County selection by the Tampa Tribune and second-team all-county pick by the St. Petersburg Times as a running back.

College career

Michigan State

McKenzie played college football at Michigan State in 2004, playing in 11 games as a true freshman, recording three tackles.

Iowa State

McKenzie transferred to Iowa State after the 2004 season. After sitting out the 2005 season due to NCAA transferring rules, McKenzie earned second-team All-Big 12 Conference after recording 129 tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception in 12 games.

South Florida

Before the 2007 season, McKenzie transferred to the University of South Florida, receiving a hardship waiver from the NCAA allowing him to play immediately. McKenzie had transferred to be closer to his widowed mother who was injured in a car accident and lost her business; McKenzie worked the overnight shift at a Hampton Inn in order to support her.[1] In 2007, he earned second-team All-Big East honors after setting a school record and team-leading 121 tackles. He also had 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. As a senior in 2008, McKenzie once again led the Bulls in tackles with 116 and earned first-team All-Big East honors. He also had a sack and an interception and set a USF record for tackles over consecutive seasons with 237.

McKenzie finished his college career starting 36 of 49 games, recording 369 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 16 pass deflections, two interceptions and a safety.

Professional career

Pre-draft
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench pressWonderlic
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 243 lb
(110 kg)		 4.76 s1.56 s2.70 s4.28 s7.31 s32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		27 reps21
All values from NFL Scouting Combine except shuttle, 3-cone, broad jump, and bench press (Michigan State Pro Day)

New England Patriots

McKenzie was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.[2] On May 2, 2009, during rookie minicamp, McKenzie tore the ACL in his right knee after getting tangled up with a running back.[3] He was signed to a four-year contract on August 25 and subsequently placed on injured reserve.

McKenzie was waived on September 5, 2010. He was re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day after clearing waivers. He was released from the practice squad on November 6, 2010.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McKenzie was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their practice squad on November 8, 2010. He was promoted to the Buccaneers' active roster on December 14, 2010. He was cut on September 2, 2011.

Minnesota Vikings

McKenzie was signed to the Vikings practice squad on September 7, 2011. He was named to the active 53-man roster during the final cuts before the start of the 2012 NFL Season. McKenzie was released by the Vikings on August 31, 2013 (along with 18 others) to get to a 53-man roster.[4]

Coaching career

After being an assistant special teams coach for the Los Angeles Rams, McKenzie joined the Tennessee Titans as a linebackers coach in 2018. [5]

Detroit Lions

McKenzie joined the Detroit Lions as a linebackers coach in 2020.[6] He missed the team's week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to COVID-19 protocols.[7]

Miami Dolphins

On January 19, 2023, McKenzie was fired as an outside linebackers coach by the Miami Dolphins.[8]

References
  1. Graham, Tim (April 27, 2009). "McKenzie's journey to NFL an inspiration". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  2. "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  3. Gasper, Christopher L. (May 6, 2009). "McKenzie out for season". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  4. Hasan, Arif (August 31, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings Release Final 53-Man Roster, Final Cuts". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  5. Madson, Kyle (January 30, 2018). "Report: Titans hire Tyrone McKenzie to be inside linebackers coach". TitansWire.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  6. Dave Birkett (January 30, 2020). "Report: Detroit Lions to hire ex-Titans assistant Tyrone McKenzie as linebackers coach". freep.com. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  7. Lage, Larry (December 25, 2020). "Lions' Darrell Bevell can't coach Saturday due to COVID-19 protocols; 3 defensive coaches also out". Madison.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  8. "Dolphins Announce Coaching Staff Changes". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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