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 Jacob McKinley ranks second on Southeast Missouri State's career average kickoff return list after two seasons. (Southeast Missourian file) [Click to enlarge] |
Jacob McKinley, who ranks among the top kickoff return men in school history, recently decided to leave the program.
McKinley, who completed his sophomore season this year, said he is giving up football primarily for academic reasons.
"There are no hard feelings," McKinley said. "My grades were suffering. Some people can do both [sports and academics], but I was having trouble. I just want to get my grades up."
McKinley averaged 22.4 yards per kickoff return as a true freshman in 2008 and 22.6 yards per kickoff return this year for a career mark of 22.5 yards on 71 attempts.
McKinley holds the top two single-season kickoff return yardage totals in school history. He set the standard in his rookie season with 785 yards and broke it this year with 813 yards.
McKinley ranks second on the program's career list for kickoff return average. He also has the fifth and sixth best single-season kickoff return average marks.
Although McKinley never scored a touchdown on a return, he came close several times. His career-long return was 85 yards in 2008 and he had an 80-yarder this year. The 85-yarder was the longest kickoff return by a Southeast player since 2004.
McKinley was also Southeast's primary punt returner this year, although he had considerably less success, averaging only 3.5 yards on 17 returns.
As a freshman, McKinley returned four punts and averaged 10 yards.
McKinley saw limited action as at tailback the past two seasons, rushing a total of 38 times for 136 yards, a 3.6-yard average. He scored one touchdown -- the only TD of his college career -- on a run in 2008. He also caught six career passes for 11 yards.
"He's a great kid and we wish him well," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "He did a very good job for us."
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound McKinley, a graduate of Parkway North High School in suburban St. Louis, remains enrolled at Southeast. He said he plans to attend the University of Missouri next year and focus on academics.
McKinley said there is a chance he could make an attempt to resume his football career.
"If I miss it and my grades are good, I might try to walk on [at MU]," he said.
Samuel also confirmed the departure of junior linebacker Tyler Epstein, who began the year as a starter but soon lost his job and saw limited action most of the season.
Epstein returned an interception for a touchdown in a season-opening rout of Quincy, a game that saw him make four tackles. He finished the year with 11 tackles.
Attrition is common for college football programs, for a variety of reasons. Several players leave the Southeast program each year, something Samuel comes to expect.
"It's very normal," he said.
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Wonder why Epstein left
Hmmm. I have a funny feeling this is just the beginning of players leaving SEMO's football program and school. It's unfortunate that Epstein is leaving SEMO and I'm sure the coaching staff was his main reason for leaving. Some other worthy college will be fortunate to get either of these two great athletes. Good luck Tyler and Jacob.
Except I'm not sure if Epstein would have the eligibility left if he were to transfer.. He's already transferred once...
Ilovefootball; I'm wondering if this is a trend, also.
redhawkstudent; that's what I was curious about. He already transferred once from Northern Iowa, which I still don't understand, unless it was for playing time/academic reasons. I don't know if he'd have eligibility left, unless he dropped down to D2 or D3, which I don't think he'd want to do.
As for McKinley, I could see him walking on at Mizzou.
There you go again Ilovefootball...blaming the coaches. I'm guessing Coach McGuire is probably to blame. Not that the kid that is starting at middle backer led the team in tackles. Or that he's faster then the other middle backers.
Maybe Epstein found out that he wasn't going to play as much as he thought he was and left. It sucks to loose a good kid but if he knows he doesn't have a shot.... and if he has the love for the game that I think he does then he should leave and find a place to play.
Epstein would have to move down a class if he wants to play football anymore in college. If he's a junior that has already redshirted then he's only got one year left. And unless he gets a hardship from the NCAA then he must transfer down to have any eligibility. Because if he was to transfer to a 1-AA or 1-A then he has to sit out and lose a year.
Yeah, I mentioned that he would have to drop down to D2 or D3 to play next year as well, which is one of the reasons why I was curious why he left.
hey dom,
http://gosoutheast.cstv.com/sports/m-foo...
This leads me to believe that the coaching staff just quit playing Tyler. I heard nothing of him being injured. What do you think?
Yeah, I don't remember anything about him being injured, either. But you're right, those stats do look like he just didn't get played.
I don't know if any of you were at the last home game, but Epstein was throwing quite a temper tantrum telling players he quit and taking his pads off on the sidelines. Not a very respectable kid doing that in front of the crowd because he didn't get much playing time. He was probably just used to all the attention at Farmington, you can't just run around and hit people at D1 you got have all the stuff it's the hardest position on Def. and that Woodlief a drop down from San Jose State is the real deal. Prepare to hear his name a lot in the future as far as All-American talk and NFL talk. I heard he already has scouts salivating because of his DB speed and aggressiveness.
Do you think Gabbert had anything to do with Jacob thing, since they did go to rival schools or was it the same school? Anyway good luck to him, he has a lot of potential.
Bull of the Woods. I was at the last home game, and Tyler was sitting in the stands, not on the field at all. I think you may be referring to the second to the last home game. Tyler's "temper tantrum",as you state,is exactly how McGuire displays himself on the field. Funny that no one notices the similarities, because, according to FBSEMOfan, it's ok for a coach to act out and disrespect the players on the field. As for Woodlief, I've not heard any mention of any scouts looking at him, or salivating. The problem was the coaches played Woodlief against Epstein and when Woodlief was doing good, he was in, when he screwed up, the coaches put Epstein in. Tyler probably got tired of the head games. They did the same with Woodlief and the freshman MLB towards the end of the season. Tyler is a good athlete and will hopefully continue to pursue his football career. He's got the size and speed also. I don't know that Woodlief has DB speed, he's fast, but not that fast. Woodlief will probably be benched next season, just like Epstein was, so that they can play Pfeiffer,who definitely has skills, but not much speed for the MLB position.
Again, good luck to Jacob and Tyler. I hope their future endevours prove to be positive ones.
BulloftheWoods; Jacob McKinley went to Parkway North, Blaine Gabbert went to Parkway West.
"Epstein returned an interception for a touchdown in a season-opening rout of Quincy, a game that saw him make four tackles. He finished the year with 11 tackles."
I see a player that had a great first game thought he had it made, this ain't high school. He got benched and gave up.
He'd rather transfer than work in the off season to come back next year to earn his spot. Just my opinion but seems SEMO is better off without his drama.
Samuals is playing chess with checker pieces. He hasn't a clue. As long as Tony Samuals coaches at SEMO there will be losing seasons ..he cannot keep talent, can't recognize it and doesn't know how to utilize it. These are facts. He and his crew need to hit the road before the football program implodes. FOUR YEARS is enough. Geese.. God help the next school that makes the mistake of hiring him and his Nebraska assistants. New blood baby. We need new blood now. It's not too late to salvage next season...
Bigsemofan...can't keep talent? Can't recognize it? Don't know how to utilize it? Why do you think this? Because McKinley left? The kid had his reasons...no ill will to the staff and team. The kid should be commended that he has decided that his education is his top priority. Yes he might be a little upset that he didn't get more time at RB....but do you think he is better then Harris? NO!! He was where he needed to be on the field...returning kicks. Also I can think of a few other top players that think that the coaches know what they are doing and helped them tremendously. Why don't you ask Edgar Jones, Adam Casper, and Walter Peoples.
Edgar was a decent player when Coach Samuel and staff got to SEMO. He then became an All-American. Casper was a role player at LB in 05. In 06, and 07 he was an All-OVC and honorable mention All-American and recorded 220 of his 262 tackles. Walter was a defensive player in 06 and part of 07 and they moved him to WR. He then led the OVC in receiving yards in 08.
Come on now!!! Some people don't think before they post things. Personal vendettas' that have no facts to back up your case makes you look stupid.
You can call me stupid FBSEMOfan ..but it is obvious you are the one a little light in the IQ department. My opinion, as yours is biased ..you seem to be either a SEMO coach defending a pathetic record or a friend of these coaches kissing a little tail for your own personal reason. I am a true Southeast fan that wants to see all SEMO sports to step it up a notch. Your personal attack on me FBSEMOfan was expected after reading this and other threads in the comment areas of this publication.
What does three very good SEMO players who happen to be on good terms with Samuals have to do with the obvious FACT that he is doing a terrible job, is a terrible example to his players, makes poor decisions and is over due for replacement? Samuals, you tried and failed. Now it is time for the A.D. to step up and find someone that can do the job.
Please, humor me FBSEMOfan ..Edgar Jones was on NFL radar well before Samuals came to town. Adam Casper, as per his high school football coach was "freakishly strong" ..who could have played at Div IA schools and possibly pro (ask any team mate of his and half the student body why he didn't attend an important Pro Combine and report it here, if you dare, and you will be shedding a little more light on how Samuals dropped the ball). Peoples was a force to be reconed with ..a natural talent. If you're saying it was brilliant of Samuals to move him to defense; you're stretching it a bit.
Bottom line ..Samuals doesn't take care of his people and he doesn't take care of business. We need new blood to get Southeast going in the right direction.
bigsemofan: I completely agree with you! I think FBSEMOfan is either related to Coach McGuire, or one of the other coaches, because he's completely on their "Jocks". Funny he has replied to everyones
posts other than the one you called him on! Thanks for your input on the coaching staff at SEMO.