Minnesota Football Recruiting: Dimonic McKinzy Commits

It's been a long time since we've had one of these...

@jfunk247 has confirmed the #12 dual threat QB on #Top247 Dimonic Mckinzy had committed to the #Gophers. 247sports.com/Player/Dimonic… #Gopher247

— Gopher247 (@Gophers247) April 27, 2013

It was worth the wait.

Kansas City (KS) Wyandotte HS dual threat quarterback/athlete Dimonic McKinzy chose the Gophers over listed offers from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, though speculation reigns on the major recruiting networks that the Huskers and Hawkeyes may have reduced their interest over the last few months. Regardless, McKinzy is rated as a 3 star and the 20th ranked DQB on the 247Sports Composite. He joins Jeff Jones as the second commitment in the 2014 class and could very well be the only quarterback the Gopher staff signs next February.

Quotables

From Joe Funk's commitment article at Gophers247:

"I liked the tempo of the spring game and the play calls, there was a lot of play action called." Mckinzey noted "It reminds me of how I can contribute to this team."

(Likely Fraudulent) Measurables

Height: 5'10.5"-6'0"
Weight: 200-220 lbs.
Fake 40 time: 4.57-4.60s

Highlights

Junior year:

Thoughts

Above everything else, McKinzy brings position versatility, something paramount for a team that has limited scholarships to give this cycle and a program that places a premium on putting athleticism to best use. Much like Donovahn Jones, Chris Streveler and Mitch Leidner, McKinzy will certainly get a look (in some cases, probably more than a look) at quarterback before evaluating whether a position change is warranted.

Still, this is a Kill-type quarterback recruit to the letter. Very good ability to escape pressure, move in the pocket and throw on the run. Athletic ability to play safety or corner at the next level if quarterback doesn't work out; his corner and safety highlights from the above YouTube do show a nice physicality to his game as a defender.

Arm strength and release are tough for me tell from this angle, and accuracy without reviewing game film is next to impossible to determine. Those are quips you might be able to pick up from analysis at Elite11 or a summer camp; McKinzy actually attended one of Kill's camps last summer and earned an offer on the spot, so I'm assuming he passed the up close and personal test with flying colors.

Nominally, this will also conclude the Gophers pursuit of quarterbacks for this cycle since McKinzy was one of their earliest and top targets. Amazingly, Minnesota won't graduate a QB until 2015(!) and Mankato Jesus has done plenty to solidify himself as QB1 for the foreseeable future, so guys like McKinzy can be brought along slowly. Coach Z has to love the athletic talents of his young stable of quarterbacks, especially individuals that bring something unique to the table.

If I had to play this game, I'd say McKinzy is less athletic than Donovahn Jones but moreso than Leidner, while his passing ability is somewhere in between Leidner and Streveler's.