Hoover, Ala. — It was November of 2005 and Steve Spurrier had just taken the job at South Carolina. One of the first things he did was meet with the high school players who had already committed to the Gamecocks for the 2006 season.

In that group was Kenny McKinley, a quarterback from Austell's South Cobb High School.

"He was so skinny and small and I asked one of my coaches 'who took this kid's commitment?' " Spurrier said. "But I saw his film from high school and decided we ought to keep him. I thought he might be a pretty good receiver."

As it turned out McKinley was one step ahead of the Head Ball Coach.

"Coach Spurrier wasn't at South Carolina yet but I decided to go ahead and take a chance and commit," McKinley said. "I just wanted to play for him because he has put a lot of receivers in the league (NFL). I figured if I was already there he'd have to take me."

Both Spurrier and McKinley turned out to be right.

There have been a lot of great receivers at South Carolina, like Sterling Sharpe and Sidney Rice. But McKinley enters the 2008 season needing 17 catches and 358 yards to become the best pass catcher in school history.

"It's hard to believe but it is something that I've dreamed about," said McKinley, who caught a school-record and SEC-leading 77 passes for 968 yards last season. "I believe in team goals but when I break those records it is going to be a great day."

What makes McKinley's record breaking 2007 season more impressive is that the quarterback play was inconsistent, at best.

"What I've learned from playing under coach Spurrier is that if you keep making plays, he will keep getting you the ball," McKinley said. "So every time I got a chance last season I tried to make the most of it."

There were times last season when McKinley was seemingly unstoppable. He had 14 catches, which tied a school record, in a 27-24 overtime loss to Tennessee in Columbia.

"This guy is as good as any receiver in the country," said South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley, also a Georgia product from Thomson. "He catches the ball. He makes big plays. He does everything you want a receiver to do. He's not big but he's really tough."

South Carolina remains unsettled at quarterback going into preseason practice. Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley combined to throw eight interceptions in the spring game. Beecher has been named the starter going into fall practice. It is not known if redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia, who has been suspended until Aug. 15, will even get back in school.

South Carolina's defense returns 10 starters and could be one of the SEC's best. Ironically for a Spurrier-coached team, the offense is considered to be the weak link at South Carolina in 2008.

"I think we're going to be a lot better than people give us credit for," McKinley said. "It all starts up front with our big guys. If our line is as good as I think it is we'll move the ball."

Spurrier may have to come up with some creative ways to get McKinley the ball.

As a high school quarterback McKinley ran for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. But in three seasons at South Carolina he has 11 rushes for 32 yards. That may change this season.

"I think coach Spurrier wants to figure out some ways to get me the ball and I'm looking forward to it," said McKinley, who enters this season having caught passes in 33 consecutive games. "This season could be a lot of fun. This is my last shot so I want to make it special."