Kahlil McKenzie


Reginald Kahlil McKenzie Jr. is an American football guard who is a free agent. He is the son of former NFL linebacker and Miami Dolphins senior personnel executive Reggie McKenzie and nephew of former NFL guard Raleigh McKenzie. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.

High school career

Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where his father worked as director of player personnel for the Packers, Kahlil McKenzie attended Green Bay Southwest High School until his sophomore year. Coached by Bryce Paup, the Fighting Trojans finished 10–1, losing only to Homestead in the third round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs, in 2012. As his father joined the Oakland Raiders front office, Kahlil McKenzie transferred to De La Salle High School in Concord, California, for his junior year, registering 74 tackles and a team-high 12 sacks for the season. In June 2014, McKenzie decided to transfer to neighboring Clayton Valley Charter High School, citing personal reasons. The CIF North Coast Section commissioner Gil Lemmon decided the transfer was athletically motivated, and ruled McKenzie ineligible for the 2014 football season.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by ESPN, McKenzie was ranked as the No. 5 defensive tackle prospect in the class of 2015, behind Terry Beckner, Trenton Thompson, Daylon Mack, and Tim Settle. He committed to Tennessee, his father's alma mater, over Arizona in July 2014.

College career

McKenzie played college football at Tennessee from 2015–2017 under head coach Butch Jones. He debuted in the 2015 season opener against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. He made his first collegiate tackle in the 31–24 2OT loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the next game. On November 21, in a 19–8 victory over the Missouri Tigers, he recorded his first collegiate sack. His production in the 2016 season declined due to a pectoral muscle suffered against Alabama in his first career start. He returned from his injury in the 2017 season and recorded 35 total tackles and two sacks.

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

McKenzie was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. After being drafted as a defensive tackle, the Chiefs announced their intent to move him to guard.
On August 31, 2019, McKenzie was waived by the Chiefs.

Seattle Seahawks

On September 2, 2019, McKenzie was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. His practice squad contract with the team expired on January 20, 2020.

Los Angeles Wildcats

McKenzie signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL on January 20, 2020, but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Wildcats in a three-team trade the same day. He was placed on injured reserve on February 22, 2020. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

On April 20, 2020, McKenzie was signed by the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived on July 26, 2020.