Only Kareem McKenzie Until Penn State Football

After only playing football for two years in high school, Kareem McKenzie came to Penn State out of New Jersey with a lot of talent and contributed off the bat. He did not play much his freshman year (1997), but came out of the gate quickly in '98, being named second team all conference. He was named first team All-Big Ten in 1999, and was again on the second team in 2000, as well as being named the winner of the Brooks-Irvine Memorial award (for the top collegiate player out of the state of New Jersey); this, though, may have been a letdown, as he had been named a preseason All-American by several news outlets.

McKenzie was drafted in the 3rd round (79th overall) of the 2001 NFL draft by the Jets, and played there through the 2004 season; it wasn't until he switched New York teams, though, that his career hit a stride. McKenzie earned two Super Bowl rings playing for the Giants from 2005 through 2012, finishing his pro career (including 149 starts) with a victory.

Since his retirement from the league, McKenzie has been pursuing a PhD in psychology. There's that PSU culture at work!

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