Tyrone McKenzie
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Career Summary
Tyrone McKenzie is a former NFL linebacker and coach who starred at South Florida.
The NFL listed McKenzie as a 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker from South Florida. USF listed him as a Riverview, Florida, native who was born December 11, 1985, in Queens, New York.
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Early Life
McKenzie was raised by his mother after his father died when he was nine.
USF’s biography says McKenzie was raised by Ruth McKenzie and that his father, Rupert, died when Tyrone was nine. It also lists three sisters: Tonya, Regina, and Kaitlin.
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High School
At Riverview High School, McKenzie was a productive running back and track athlete before becoming a college linebacker.
USF reported that McKenzie rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns as a Riverview High senior, averaged 7.7 yards per carry, and had four 200-yard games. He also qualified for the 2004 Florida Class 4A state track championships in the 110-meter hurdles.
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College Career
McKenzie led South Florida in tackles in both of his seasons and set a two-season program record.
USF credits McKenzie with 121 tackles in 2007 and 116 in 2008, totaling 237 across 26 starts. He earned consensus first-team All-Big East honors in 2008 after leading USF in tackles for a second straight season and led the team with 14.5 tackles for loss.
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Path to the NFL
New England selected McKenzie in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
USF announced that the Patriots selected McKenzie with the 97th overall pick in the third round, making him the first USF player drafted in the third round.
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NFL Career
McKenzie appeared in 19 NFL games for Tampa Bay and Minnesota and made 17 tackles.
NFL career statistics list McKenzie in three games for Tampa Bay in 2010 and 16 games for Minnesota in 2012, totaling 19 games and 17 tackles.
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Career Accomplishments
McKenzie set a USF single-season tackle record and earned first-team All-Big East recognition before becoming a third-round draft pick.
USF’s 2007 bowl notes reported that McKenzie set the school single-season tackle record with 121. His USF profile lists first-team All-Big East status in 2008, and the school’s draft announcement records his No. 97 overall selection.
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Playing Style
McKenzie’s college production reflected an active, high-volume linebacker role.
In two USF seasons, McKenzie produced 237 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 14 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two recoveries. His 2008 season included a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss.
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Legacy
McKenzie carried his USF tackling production into a long NFL coaching career.
The Raiders’ 2025 media guide says McKenzie was the NCAA active tackle leader when he graduated from South Florida, and traces coaching roles with Colorado, Stanford, the Rams, Titans, Lions, Colts, Dolphins, North Carolina, and the Raiders.
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Post-Career
After playing, McKenzie coached at the high school, college, and NFL levels and joined the Raiders’ linebacker staff in 2025.
The Raiders’ 2025 media guide lists McKenzie as a defensive assistant/linebackers coach and documents prior NFL roles with the Rams, Titans, Lions, Colts, and Dolphins, following college roles at Colorado and Stanford.
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22615, 00-0027068, 1985-12-11, Tyrone McKenzie, Tyrone, McKenzie
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