Kahlil McKenzie

Kahlil McKenzie's Biography

Reginald Kahlil McKenzie Jr., the son of former NFL linebacker and Miami Dolphins senior personnel executive, Reggie McKenzie, and nephew of former NFL guard Raleigh McKenzie, was born on January 3rd, 1997 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His father’s professional engagement in the football industry considerably shaped young Kahlil’s childhood.

McKenzie spent his early life in Green Bay, where his father served as the director of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers. Young McKenzie began his journey into the world of football at Green Bay Southwest High School. His time here was marked with a memorable ending in 2012 when the Fighting Trojans ended the football season with a 10-1 record, losing only one game in the third round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs to Homestead. When his father took up a new role at the Oakland Raiders’ front office, Kahlil had to leave Green Bay, moving with his family to California.

His Californian football journey began at De La Salle High School in Concord, where, as a junior, he made 74 tackles and led the team with 12 sacks in the season. However, he didn’t finish high school there, transferring to Clayton Valley Charter High School in 2014 due to personal reasons. The move wasn’t without its controversies, as the CIF North Coast Section commissioner Gil Lemmon labeled it as ‘athletically motivated,’ rendering McKenzie ineligible for the 2014 football season.

McKenzie’s high school exploits marked him out as a top talent, with ESPN rating him as a four-star recruit, and ranking him the fifth-best defensive tackle in the class of 2015. McKenzie’s decision to join the University of Tennessee over Arizona in July 2014 foreshadowed his three-year college football career at Tennessee under head coach Butch Jones.

McKenzie made his college football debut in 2015 against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium, and his first tackle came in a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. This was followed up by his maiden collegiate sack in a win over Missouri Tigers later in November. McKenzie’s sophomore season suffered a setback due to a pectoral muscle injury he incurred against Alabama in his first career start. He was able to rebound in his final season, recording 35 total tackles and two sacks in 2017.

Following his college career, Kahlil McKenzie was drafted in the sixth round by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2018 NFL Draft. A surprising announcement came from the Chiefs expressing their intention to switch his position from defensive tackle to offensive guard. He was with the Chiefs for a year before being waived in 2019, and subsequently signing with the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. However, his contract expired in early 2020, marking the end of his time with the Seahawks.

In January 2020, McKenzie signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL, although he was traded to the Los Angeles Wildcats the very same day. His time with the Wildcats was hampered by injury, and his contract was terminated amidst league suspensions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Afterward, McKenzie returned to the NFL, signing with the Seattle Seahawks in April 2020, only to be waived in July. He subsequently tried out with the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals, ultimately signing with the latter in late August 2020. His time with the Bengals marked a tumultuous stint as he vacillated between the practice squad and the active roster, making appearances in games against notable teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys.

As of August 31 2021, McKenzie was waived by the Bengals. However, he soon joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, and was later elevated to the main roster as a COVID-19 replacement. Once again, he had to contend with switching football positions, being cross-trained to function as both an offensive and defensive lineman. In November 2021, he was signed to the active roster but had to return to the practice squad soon after.

McKenzie began the year 2022 by signing a reserve/future contract with the Ravens. Nevertheless, by August 30, 2022, he was once again released and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.

By 2023, McKenzie’s professional football journey took a new turn as he was placed on the reserve list by the Vegas Vipers, a team in the recently relaunched XFL. The Vipers later folded due to a merger between the XFL and United States Football League, forming a new entity – the United Football League (UFL).

In January 2024, McKenzie was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 UFL dispersal draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks. His stay at the Battlehawks turned out to be a brief one, though, as he was waived in February 2024. Soon afterwards, on February 11, 2024, McKenzie announced his retirement from professional football.

Reginald Kahlil McKenzie’s journey in football doesn’t end with him, though. His brother, Jalen McKenzie, a four-star recruit, decided to take on the family mantle by committing to USC in 2017, and announced his intention to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.