The 2016 season is the first on The Farm for former NFL linebacker Tyrone McKenzie. McKenzie serves as a defensive assistant.
McKenzie joined the Cardinal after a one-year stint as the outside linebackers graduate assistant coach at Colorado. McKenzie worked with the Los Angeles Rams’ outside linebackers and special teams as a contingent hire during the 2016 summer months.
McKenzie was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots before suffering an ACL injury as a rookie. He played five seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. McKenzie was selected as a Pro Bowl special teams player in 2012.
McKenzie started his collegiate career at Michigan State, where he played as a true freshman in 2004. He left to return home and take care of his mother, returning to play at Iowa State, where in 2006 he was eighth nationally in tackles (129) and named to the AP All-Big 12 second team.
McKenzie was a two-time All-Big East selection -- and unanimous in 2008 --while concluding his career at South Florida. In 2007, he set the school record with 121 tackles and added 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. The following season, he once again led the Bulls with 116 tackles (third in South Florida history) to set a school record with a combined 237 tackles in consecutive seasons.
At the completion of his college career, he was the NCAA’s second-best active leader in career tackles/game (5.5).
McKenzie coached the 2013 season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Edina High School (Minn.) and spent the 2014 season as linebackers coach at Berkeley Prep (Fla.).
McKenzie earned his degree in business economics from South Florida in 2008.
McKenzie joined the Cardinal after a one-year stint as the outside linebackers graduate assistant coach at Colorado. McKenzie worked with the Los Angeles Rams’ outside linebackers and special teams as a contingent hire during the 2016 summer months.
McKenzie was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots before suffering an ACL injury as a rookie. He played five seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. McKenzie was selected as a Pro Bowl special teams player in 2012.
McKenzie started his collegiate career at Michigan State, where he played as a true freshman in 2004. He left to return home and take care of his mother, returning to play at Iowa State, where in 2006 he was eighth nationally in tackles (129) and named to the AP All-Big 12 second team.
McKenzie was a two-time All-Big East selection -- and unanimous in 2008 --while concluding his career at South Florida. In 2007, he set the school record with 121 tackles and added 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. The following season, he once again led the Bulls with 116 tackles (third in South Florida history) to set a school record with a combined 237 tackles in consecutive seasons.
At the completion of his college career, he was the NCAA’s second-best active leader in career tackles/game (5.5).
McKenzie coached the 2013 season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Edina High School (Minn.) and spent the 2014 season as linebackers coach at Berkeley Prep (Fla.).
McKenzie earned his degree in business economics from South Florida in 2008.