With a sense of urgency, McKenzie leading on the defensive front

Kahlil McKenzie has 36 career tackles and has played in just 20 games in his Vol career. Yet, the junior is now a leader and finds himself with a great deal of urgency.

“I feel great being out here,” McKenzie said. “In my third year you are kind of used to everything. You are a mentor making sure everyone is doing things right. It's fast out here now. It's not high school football. Some guys you have to bring along. I was like that my freshman year.”

Saturday, McKenzie's advice to his new pups was simple. Don't focus on too much.

“Just focus on the little stuff,” McKenzie said. “Get better little bit by little bit. Don't try and bite off the whole thing right at once. Just take it step by step. The first game isn't until September 4th. We are still in July. You want to come tomorrow and work on something you were messing up today. It's all about continuous improvement.”

For McKenzie himself, there's a sense of urgency. The former five star recruit has just one career start heading into his junior year. Part of that is due to injury. McKenzie was bothered by a shoulder and knee injury as a freshman and tore his pectoral muscle last fall against Alabama in his first career start.

“Your mental approach definitely changes from being injured and being year three in the program,” McKenzie admitted. “You see a lot more. You are more accustomed to things. Things don't surprise you. Injury definitely changes your outlook on practice. You love being out here. You love being around your teammates more and more. It's all of that stuff. It gives you a greater appreciation for things.”

That appreciation turned into McKenzie's best summer. The defensive tackle power cleaned 365. He did 16 reps of 275 on the bench and he dead lifted 585 as he returned from injury.

“The weights came gradually. It's something that coach Rock told me. He said to just increase your weights five pounds every workout and be the strongest man in the world. It's that type of mindset. Increasing as it comes. Not trying to rush things. Not trying to be a superhero. Just letting it come to me more than attacking things too much.

“I'm 100%. I feel good back out here running around and I'm just trying to contribute to the team.”

McKenzie's improved strength, health as well as nutrition has him in better shape. He's gone down in pant size, knee brace size, and his jersey on Saturday said 2 xl. Even though he's not in pads, McKenzie admits he feels a difference.

“It's a lot easier to move and things like that. You want to be more quick twitch. It's all about attention to details and you can be more about that when you are in better shape.”

Added head coach Butch Jones, “We are just in helmets, but I like everything I have seen from him. Not just on the field but in a leadership role as well. I thought his get off on the ball was good, but for a defensive lineman right now, it's all about technique and the use of your hands and the fine details.”

It's also about a sense of urgency. Something McKenzie believes the entire team has.

“That's what we all feel. As a team we feel like now is the time. It's now or never. We are out here ready to shock the world.”