The is the first in a series that will run three times a week over the next four weeks, leading into SEC media days.
12. ISAIAH McKENZIE
Junior
Kick returner-receiver
WHY HE'S VITAL: Where to begin? As a punt and kick returner, he gives Georgia's special teams a dimension it lacked for several years before his arrival in 2014. McKenzie is already tied for Georgia's career record for punt return touchdowns, with four, and his career return average (13.3) is tied for fourth all-time. He only has one kickoff return for a touchdown, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be used more often in that role.
Georgia will be breaking in a new punter, place-kicker and even long-snapper this year. So if McKenzie can stay healthy, and prove dependable, that’s at least one load off the mind of special teams coordinator Shane Beamer – who himself is new. McKenzie’s ability to hold onto the ball has been in question, which is no surprise for someone who’s generously listed at 5-foot-8.
Then there’s McKenzie’s role on the offense. He only has 16 catches in his two seasons on campus, but has also rushed 18 times, and is averaging 11.3 yards per touch on offense in his career. That’s, uh, pretty good. It’s an enduring mystery why he wasn’t used more last year to ignite the sputtering offense.
There are, at least on paper, more speed-oriented weapons to play with this season, including freshman Mecole Hardman and Tyler Simmons, but they’ll have a learning curve.
McKenzie won’t, and as the favorite to be the slot man when Georgia goes three-wide, he carries vital importance there in an offense lacking experienced receivers.
QUOTABLE: "He's got nerve. And you've gotta have nerve. And sometimes that nerve works against you." – Then-head coach Mark Richt on McKenzie last year, after McKenzie's 53-yard punt return touchdown proved the difference in the 20-13 win over Auburn. McKenzie was only in the game because Terry Godwin, who had been returning punts, was pulled from the role because he wasn't doing a good enough job of yelling "Peter," which was the signal for the other 10 players on punt return to get away from the loose ball. It'll be interesting to see how the new coaching staff handles someone with so much upside – and volubility – in a key role.
BEST CASE: McKenzie's hamstring, fumbling and dependability issues all prove a thing of the past. He breaks and then expands on the school record for return touchdowns, even doing on kickoffs. Jim Chaney and the offensive staff figure out creative way to get him touches, and he has around 7-to-10 offensive touches a game. It adds an explosive – and consistent – dimension to the offense, easing the transition for the younger skill position players. (Including, potentially, at quarterback.)
WORST CASE: McKenzie joked in January about transferring back home to Miami. Thatwould have been worst case. He was joking, he made clear. But the previously-related issues, particularly the hamstring, still loom. If McKenzie does get derailed, or derails himself, Georgia can still turn to Godwin or other speedy options (like Hardman and Simmons) but it would be preferable not to.
FINAL WORD: If McKenzie's health could be assured, a safe bet would be that he'd have a spectacular junior season, even if there are some occasional ball control hiccups. When he gets the ball in the open field he's a threat to go all the way. It would behoove Georgia to get him the ball as much as it reasonably can.
