Kahlil McKenzie ready to start Tennessee career, goal is a title

Published May. 25, 2015 12:29 a.m. ET

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Players of Kahlil McKenzie's caliber don't sign with a program with modest intentions, no, they come to help win titles.

The five-star Tennessee legacy was the commitment that sparked another top recruiting class for Butch Jones and the Vols in 2015. With McKenzie onboard, several of the nation's premier players would soon follow his lead in anticipation for the coming season.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press interviewed McKenzie as he continues to prepare for the next phase of his life in Knoxville.

McKenzie spoke about the enormous hype surrounding his arrival to the Tennessee program:

"I hold myself to probably a higher standard than anyone, probably outside of my dad," he told. "I like to hold myself very accountable. I like to go out and earn things and prove people right or wrong. I want to prove people right for that five-star rating. You want to prove people wrong who say you're not."

"That's the main focus of mine, and those are my own expectations. I'm going to come in, and it's going to be a nose-to-the-ground kind of grind. I want to get myself in good shape so I can start putting in some work and trying to contribute to this team and help us win some games next season."

For those unaware, Kahlil's father is Reggie McKenzie, current Oakland Raiders GM and standout Volunteer player in the 1980s.

McKenzie was forced to sit out his senior season of high school due to transfer rules, but was still named to the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio last January. The six-foot-three player tipped the scales at over 350-pounds in the all-star game and realized he needed to get his weight down to play at Tennessee.

"That's been the No. 1 thing for me, is making sure I'm in shape coming in, that I did enough strength work so the adjustment period would be as quick as possible, from getting from high school shape to college shape and being able to not just get through workouts but excel in workouts."

He continued, "That's really just been my main focus, to make sure my transition period is as short as possible. That way I can get in and get to work and start grinding away and be in the best shape possible for the summer and training camp."

Now that Tennessee has brought in another top recruiting class, in large part due to the efforts of McKenzie on the recruiting trail, and the team continues to progress under Butch Jones, what goals does McKenzie have in mind?

"I'm trying to help my team win games. That's my main focus," he said. "Whatever that means, that's my only goal for the three or four years I'm in college, to help my team win a national championship. Whatever I can do to make that happen, I'm going to do it."

"If that means playing every game, or if that means being scout team -- it doesn't matter. Whatever I can do to help my team win a national championship, that's what I'm going to do."

(h/t Chattanooga Times Free Press)