One of the area’s most talented defensive backs is coming off of the board.
Levi McKenzie verbally committed to Vanderbilt at a ceremony on Friday, June 12. The Riverdale safety named the Commodores over offers from Indiana, Louisville, Houston, and more.
“Honestly, it’s like I lifted a weight off my shoulder,” he said after donning a Vanderbilt hat. “It’s an important decision, that’s where I’m going to spend my career and that’s where is supposed to help me reach my ultimate goal of reaching the NFL. It’s a big burden lifted off me.”
McKenzie, a 3-star, is ranked as the No. 115 overall player in Florida and the No. 116 safety in the nation (247Sports Composite). He tallied two interceptions through six games at Lehigh last year on the way to a News-Press All Area defense second team nod. He also reeled in 16 passes for a team-high 262 yards and five touchdowns before transferring to Riverdale.
Vanderbilt was later to McKenzie’s recruitment that most, extending an offer as recently as May 12 before hosting him for an official visit one week later.
“It was like I already knew (the coaching staff),” he said. “We just got along so well already. When I went up there, it was a great experience with them. Even the players were very welcoming, like I was already a part of the team. Honestly, they were one of my last offers, but the fact they showed that much interest and showed how serious they were in that short amount of time – plus how the players and coaches were welcoming, that really played a factor in why I chose them.”
The Commodores seem to have closed in on elite track athletes from Florida. McKenzie is a decorated sprinter, and brought home the bronze from 200 (21.26) and 400 (47.76) at the Class 3A State Championships.
Vanderbilt’s only other commit from Florida is Rickards’ ATH Davion Crumitie, who dominated the Class 3A state championship with golds in the 100 (10.30), 200 (20.79), and 4×100 (40.96).
“I would say my size as a safety helped me out a lot, McKenzie said. “And (safeties coach Melvin Rice) was telling me he’s going to use my speed to help develop me, make sure I’m using that speed the right way and go get that ball.”
