South Carolina football will kick off the 2025 season in 11 days. Here's a look back at No. 11, Kenny McKinley.
South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in the 2025 season on August 31st when the Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That means kickoff is just 11 days away.
The No. 11 is another significant number for the Gamecocks. Players like Pharoh Cooper and Rashad Faison were elite performers while donning the Block C on their helmets. However, it is wide receiver Kenny McKinley who is most often associated with the number. Known as much for his joyful personality and big laugh as he was for his athletic abilities, No. 11 is one of USC’s most beloved former players.
McKinley was a high school quarterback who committed to South Carolina because of the rumor that Steve Spurrier would be replacing the retiring Lou Holtz. However, he became a receiver in Columbia and went on to one of the most prolific careers in program history.
During his freshman and sophomore campaigns, McKinley shared the receiver room with fellow all-time great Sidey Rice. Even so, he logged over 1100 yards through two years. That included a breakout sophomore season in which he made his first All-SEC team.
That season, McKinley and Rice were, arguably, the top 1-2 receiver punch to ever play for the Gamecocks. The duo combined for 123 catches, 1970 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. Only Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley (2010) caught more combined balls and posted more yardage, but they did so with the benefit of an extra game. Only Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards (2018) had more touchdowns.
With Rice off to the NFL in 2007, McKinley was even better, leading the SEC in receptions. He was also top five in the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. Despite dealing with turf toe for part of the season, McKinley developed into one of the best route-runners in the country. He made another All-SEC squad and was an Honorable Mention All-American.
Because he elected to return to South Carolina for his senior season, McKinley set multiple career Gamecock records in 2008. At the time of his graduation, no one had ever caught more passes or earned more total receiving yards than McKinley.
He remains No. 2 on South Carolina’s all-time receptions list, No. 3 in receiving yardage, and No. 4 in receiving touchdowns. McKinley also threw a touchdown pass during his career, and he sometimes pitched in as a punt returner. He was a model of consistency, too, catching passes in 43 consecutive games played.
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Following his time in Columbia, McKinley earned selection in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. In 2015, the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame posthumously honored McKinley with induction. Having finished his playing career with the Gamecocks in 2008, it marked one of the quickest inductions in school history.
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Category: General Sports
