Arizona: RS... Expected to challenge for a starting role at inside linebacker entering the 2003 season... Redshirted for the Wildcats in 2002 and was a member of the defensive scout team... Coaches liked the way McKinney attacked his scout team role last season... Named the top defensive scout team player at the annual team banquet... UA continued its reach into Texas schoolboy football by venturing to the area about mid-way between San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth to sign McKinney in 2002.
High School: Copperas Cove High School, Copperas Cove, Texas, 2002... McKinney emerged after strong junior and senior seasons at CCHS to become one of Texas' solid linebacker prospects... No wonder -- 105 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two recoveries... Won Player of the Game honors 11 of 12 weeks... Copperas Cove defense only allowed 182 yards per game and 95 rushing yards per game, plus limited opponents to 7.9 points per game with five shutouts... Had 126 tackles, 16 TFL, seven sacks and two blocked kicks as a junior to earn second-team AP all-state accolades... His speed attracted UA coaches, with a reported 4.6 40-yard dash... A SuperPrep All-Southwest selection as Texas' No. 79 prospect... Picked No. 99 on Prep Football Report's All-Southwest three-state area... PrepStar All-Midlands region pick... All-league and all-city honors... Nominated for Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game... First-team all-state pick by Associated Press his senior year... First-team Centralplex Team... All-State 5A first-team honors from Texas Sports Writers Association... Also runs the 110 and 300 hurdles as a two-year varsity track star, finishing fifth in the district in both races... Texashsfootball.com first-team Team Texas 5A.
