 "Photo: Juan Blas / The Gamecock")
When Kenny McKinley said goodbye to his family as he was dropped off at USC, he was welcomed with open arms straight into a new one. The 6-foot-174-pound freshman is like a "little brother," said wide receiver Sidney Rice.
From Mableton, Ga., McKinley played high school football for South Cobb High School. As a junior, he ran for 400 yards and eight touchdowns and threw for 1,575 yards and 12 touchdowns. His senior year he ran for 750 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, and threw for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns. Both years he was awarded the All-County Honors.
His career didn't start in high school, though. McKinley has been playing football for 12 years, and his parents have been behind him every step of the way. His dad has been to all of his games and his mom has been to every home game, and both are on their way up for the Carolina-Clemson game this weekend.
McKinley went from a high school quarterback to a Division I college wide receiver, and not only is he making the adjustment, but he's making it with huge strides.
"It's been kind of hard," McKinley said. "I had to come here early and learn how to run routes and learn how to catch the ball, but it's getting good now."
As a player who showed coaches a lot of potential at the beginning of the year, it's obvious he's growing into his role with ease and seemingly without the freshman nerves.
"I don't get nervous. It's not me, I'm just laid back," McKinley said.
He stepped up during the Arkansas game while Rice was battling a suffocating defense. McKinley caught three passes for 58 yards and caught a 42-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to put the Gamecocks ahead and eventually to a victory to push the team's record to 6-3.
"It's unbelievable to go out there my first year and contribute to the team," McKinley said. "I know I'm young and I've got a lot of years left."
With the big Clemson vs. Carolina game coming up this weekend, the team is buckling down and trying to put last year's score out of its head.
"It's going to be a tough game and a tough challenge for us because Clemson's a tough team," quarterback Blake Mitchell said.
But Rice is sure that his "little brother" is going to perform just fine under pressure.
"I've got a lot of confidence in him," Rice said. "I think that he can step up."
The way the team has been performing also has been contributing to the team morale and play.
"At first we'd come to practice down, but now every week, everybody's spirits are up," McKinley said.
His work ethic is carrying him personally through the season, but also represents the general play of the Gamecocks.
"You just have to work hard," McKinley said, "and if you work hard, you can get there."
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