[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]When Joker Philips was hired as head coach of the Kentucky football program, one of the statements he made was that the Cats would actively recruit the city of Louisville. For the 2012 recruiting class, UK already has secured commitments from athletes from the Derby City. Now the Cats set their sights on another Louisville player, one that falls within the area of need and focus for Philips and his staff in that class.[/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Louisville (KY) Moore wide receiver MeKale McKay plays for a school that has not known a rich tradition in Kentucky high school football. But he is helping to change that. “I do whatever I have to do to help this team win,” McKay said. “Last year, I had 1,200 plus all-purpose yards from doing a little of everything. Wherever my coaches need me, I’ll go. I return kicks, and in dime packages, I even played free safety. I had several interceptions, and returned a couple for touchdowns.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]But McKay wants more attention for his school. “It’s awesome, man. The colleges recognizing that we have talent, too, at Moore. It’s nice to give the teachers and the principal the football legacy to enjoy. Everything is starting to come together.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]McKay uses blazing speed and height to overpower small corners. He was laser-timed recently in the forty at 4.45. And at a camp at the University of Cincinnati this spring, he ran the forty coming off a quad injury, and still had an impressive time. He has also camped this spring at Ohio State.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Kentucky, Indiana, Central Florida, Lousiville, and Cincinnati didn’t need to see anything else on McKay. They are the five that have already offered him. McKay is hoping to turn in a bigger senior campaign and see that number rise. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]“I haven’t really picked out the top schools on that list,” McKay said. “I haven’t really thought about a top three or anything. But if I had to pick, I’d say Cincinnati and Kentucky are my top two.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Philips is the reason that McKay likes the Cats. “I just really like Joker Philips. When I first moved here from Texas, he was the first college coach that talked to me. He’s just a real humble guy, and he’s been preaching the same song since he met me. So he’s a real nice person to be around, and the program is on the rise. They have been on the rise since I was there for a camp my sophomore year.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]“I think they could use a wide receiver, too. They told me that they are really looking at that position this year.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]As a testament to his athleticism, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound McKay is also a standout on the Moore basketball team. He averaged around 17 points and eight rebounds per game for the Mustangs and he said he would like a chance in college to play both sports.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]“MeKale caught over 50 passes and had 21 touchdowns for us last season,” Moore head coach Ravon Patterson said, “so that will tell you that he is a big play guy. He was definitely a big play weapon for us. He still has some work to do, as we all do. But he has all the potential of a big time Division One player.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]When asked to expound on what McKay needs to work on and Patterson said, “He just needs to work on finishing his routes, and blocking…and becoming the complete receiver. But he has something you can’t teach. He’s a 6-foot-5 receiver that will go up and fight for the football. And he’ll get it, too.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]McKay may be helping to put Moore football back on the Kentucky high school football map. But Coach Patterson likes the fact that MeKale is getting individual attention.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]“It’s exciting for the school and the football program, but I’m more excited about MeKale having this experience. But I want him to find a school and a situation where they will back him up always. And that means even if things go south, they can’t leave him behind. He’s a smart kid… he’ll be alright.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]McKay just wants to be close to his teammates wherever he lands. “My big goal is to play for a program based on family. I want to graduate, and I want a school that wants that for me. My grandmother preaches academics all the time, so the most important thing for me is to graduate.”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
