Looks Like ISU Will Need a New Middle Linebacker...

**hfthomp** · 12-12-2006, 08:05 AM

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/12/Sp..._coaches.shtml

**guitarchitect7** · 12-12-2006, 08:08 AM

COMING HOME: The Bulls could land an impact transfer next month in former Riverview star Tyrone McKenzie, who is transferring closer to home after finishing eighth in the nation with 129 tackles as a sophomore at Iowa State.

The Bulls have received a release, and coach Jim Leavitt confirmed USF is recruiting McKenzie, who earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. He is transferring because of a family illness and will seek a hardship waiver to play immediately with two seasons of eligibility.

Here is the article. Wow this sucks!

**cycloneworld** · 12-12-2006, 08:08 AM

Ouch. That hurts.

In case you don't want to read it...

McKinzie is transfering.

**ColoradoClone** · 12-12-2006, 08:12 AM

More on that topic from a St. Pete Times blog:

More intriguing news: Some Bulls fans might remember the name Tyrone McKenzie from the summer of 2005, when the former Riverview standout considered transferring to USF from Michigan State. He wound up at Iowa State, where he racked up 129 tackles this fall as a sophomore, ranking eighth in the nation and earning second-team All-Big 12 honors (9.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles).

Here's the scoop: McKenzie is transferring closer to home due to a family illness, and USF has gotten a release from Iowa State and is actively recruiting him. He's already sat out one season from his last transfer, so it's huge that he might be able to land a hardship waiver allowing him to play immediately, rather than sit out another season, which would leave him with only one year of eligibility. USF is a good match, then, for two reasons: the Bulls have one opening for a starting linebacker, and he really can't play the need-to-get-close-to-home card any more convincingly than with the Bulls. He's 6-2, 230 pounds, put up some insane numbers with the Cyclones and could be on campus next month. He played middle linebacker at Iowa State but would move outside at USF, where Ben Moffitt will return as a senior in the middle in 2007. Nothing's official until McKenzie sets foot on campus, but it's looking good for the Bulls right now.

**cycloneworld** · 12-12-2006, 08:17 AM

That will make 3 different Div. 1 schools in his college career...you don't see that too often.

**guitarchitect7** · 12-12-2006, 08:19 AM

I was really excited for this guy on our team. Man, this rebuilding thing is going to be harder than we thought.

**Al_4_State** · 12-12-2006, 08:22 AM

I don't care if we had Bill Belicheck on the sidelines. If this keeps up, our defense will be hopeless next year. Just another example of why we need to temper our expectations on Chizik for next year, and give him some time to build his system and recruit his guys.

**JokersWild** · 12-12-2006, 08:35 AM

Good luck to McKinzie. It was nice while it lasted.

**EggMcClone** · 12-12-2006, 08:45 AM

That's too bad. I hope things work out with his family.

**Lastplace** · 12-12-2006, 08:49 AM

NOOOOOOO...that guy was the best speed we had at LB!

**ripvdub** · 12-12-2006, 08:51 AM

He played the family card when he left MSU to come here. Whatever, that blows.

**ISUCLONES15** · 12-12-2006, 08:58 AM

McKenzie was a good player for us but he is definitely replaceable as I feel Linebacker is our deepest position. Carper will be back and could easily move back over to MLB for us,.making a starting LB group of Carper, Jon Banks & Ace Bowen. Jesse Smith, Fred Garrin & Kris Means are other options. We will be fine!

**loboclone** · 12-12-2006, 08:59 AM

Could be a long string of "Family Hardships" coming our way. Our defense is really in bad shape now, lets hope Chizik has a plan.

Should we expect more of this in the coming weeks??? there wasn't any indication of this anywhere, why? I hate surprises.