Verone McKinley III Bio
Verone McKinley III is a former NFL safety and Oregon football standout from Carrollton, Texas. Born June 29, 1999, he attended Hebron High School before playing college football at the University of Oregon. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches, McKinley developed into a productive deep defender and three-year starter for the Ducks from 2019 through 2021.
At Oregon, McKinley earned first-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 recognition after his 2021 season. His collegiate style centered on anticipation, range and playmaking ability in the secondary. He entered the 2022 NFL Draft but was not selected, then signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. McKinley made his NFL debut with Miami and recorded his first professional interception during the 2022 season.
The Dolphins released McKinley on September 16, 2023, and released him from their practice squad on December 6, 2023. He joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on January 3, 2024, and later signed a future contract with Arizona on January 9, 2024. As of September 21, 2026, Oregon’s official football staff listings identify Verone McKinley III as Director of Scouting & Recruiting Relations, so he should be described as an Oregon football staff member rather than a current NFL player.
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