Tyrone McKenzie SELECTED BY: Patriots Round 3 (33)

SI Grade 3.62 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Former Iowa State transfer who started the past two seasons at South Florida, leading the defense in tackles each year. Senior totals included 116/15/1 when he also intercepted one pass and broke up three more. Junior totals included 121 tackles. All-Conference selection after his senior and junior seasons. Posted a career-high 129 tackles as a sophomore at Iowa State in 2006, and was an all-Big-12 second team selection. Played at Michigan State as a true freshman.

POSITIVES: Ultra-productive one-gap linebacker who constantly flies around the field making positive plays. Athletic, shows great range, and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself and shows outstanding ability in pursuit. Flows well to the action, physical, and works to get involved. Gets depth on pass drops, and immediately alters his angle of attack to get to the ball handler.

NEGATIVES: Undersized, gets slowed up in the trash, and easily held at the point of attack by blocks. More of a chase-and-run-down linebacker versus a defender who forces the action.

ANALYSIS: McKenzie is a solid, yet unspectacular, prospect who's done very well on the college level. He'll be productive in the NFL if placed in a system that allows him to freely flow to the action, and gives him free lanes to ball carriers. Slightly overrated at this point, McKenzie should be a productive backup linebacker/special teams player in the NFL.

PROJECTION: Third/Fourth Round