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Draft Bio: Takkarist McKinley, linebacker, UCLA

UCLA's Takkarist McKinley, left, poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2017 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Credit: Matt Rourke

Credit: Matt Rourke

UCLA's Takkarist McKinley, left, poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2017 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
By
April 28, 2017

Takkarist (pronounced tuh-CAR-ist) McKinley, linebacker, UCLA

Twitter: @Takk

Height: 6-feet 4 inches| Arm length: 33 3/8″

Weight: 230 pounds | Hand size: 10 1/4″

Falcons trade to pick McKinley with 26th pick

40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds

Bench press: 24 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 33 nches

Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches

Three-cone drill: 7.48 seconds

Overview: He was a two-year starter for the Bruins after overcoming some early academica issues. He lined up at left and right defensive end in the Bruins four-man front, standing up and putting his hand on the ground. He was a legitimate candidate for Pac-12 defensive player of the year last season with 10 sacks. "McKinley has the explosive pass rush potential to terrorize NFL quarterbacks, projecting in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes," wrote Dan Brugler in his 2017 NFL draft report.

McKinley had shoulder surgery in March

The Atlanta Falcons moved to the 26th spot to draft UCLA's Takkarist McKinley. During recruiting visit to Cal, he overslept because he hadn't slept on a bed in months. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive end had 10 sacks his senior season at UCLA. He finished his last year with 61 tackles, including a team-high 18 for a loss. McKinley was the third rated edge rusher in the draft. McKinley underwent surgery March 3 for a torn labrum and fractured socket. McKinley paid tribute to his grandmother, Myrtle Coll

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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