Kyriq McDonald pushes toward bigger goals
James Clemens Def. Coordinator Layne Rinks with Kyriq McDonald (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Kyriq McDonald is back for his senior season after a busy summer that ended with a full athletic scholarship offer from Alabama Coach Nick Saban and McDonald’s commitment to the Crimson Tide on August 1.
He verbally committed to Coach Saban before having some fun appearing in a video with Bob Jones’ Kendall Randolph as both announced their commitment on Twitter.
McDonald (5-foot-11,195 pounds) burst on the scene last year taking even his coaches by surprise.
He had eight interceptions including two he returned for touchdowns against Mountain Brook in a dominating 51-14 Jets victory. In that game he also blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown.
He was a backup as a sophomore but by the end of his junior year he was 1st team All-State and Defensive player of the year. He had scholarship offers from Alabama, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida State, and Louisville. He solidified his standing with top performances at summer camps.
After playing safety last year he will play outside linebacker and strong safety. He will also run back punts and kickoffs and could even see action at running back.
McDonald came through Madison city schools and played at Discovery. He played running back and linebacker.
“He is extremely physical with his hands and caught my and Coach Ellis’ attention preseason last year with the way he used his hands and played against the run on the edge,” said James Clemens Defensive Coordinator Layne Rinks. “He was the most competitive most athletic guy we had on defense and we had to find a spot for him and he just showed out after that.”
Rinks (Alabama, 2008) was a standout lineman at Bradshaw High in Florence and later played at Alabama including one season 2007 under Coach Nick Saban.
“I would compare him to Landon Collins who played safety at Alabama,” Rinks said.
McDonald’s brother Khailil (JCHS class of 2015) is at South Alabama playing football.
This year McDonald will lead a young secondary that will include first year starters Torolla Walker (former receiver moved to corner), Xavier McKnight, Montrell Campbell, Chris Sanders, and Ryan Hutchison.
“Our defense is like a family, when we play as a team and play as one we are unstoppable,” McDonald said.
Rinks said that with their recent success Jets players now have to play with a new mindset.
“Early in their careers they were the team people didn’t think much of. Now you face a team that knows they are going to have to do everything they can to beat you. Every single play we will have to play our best.”
