Las Vegas Raiders

Khalil Macks Lands a Sports Illustrated Cover

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates after a safety against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders edge rusher Khalil Mack has a landed a cover story for Sports Illustrated.

Khalil Mack, edge rusher and all-around defender extraordinaire, is on the most recent cover of SI Magazine — with the story written by Robert Klemko.

We’ve taken over @SInow for the Sept. 19 issue. Khalil Mack couldn’t be more excited. pic.twitter.com/qhUJUckopr

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) September 13, 2016

The story parallels the journey between Mack and 2014 #1 pick Jadeveon Clowney, from high school to the pros. The entire column is definitely worth your time, and there is also a short video interview between Mack and Klemko that was fun to watch.

There are some truly great tidbits of information and backstory throughout the story, such as how GM Reggie McKenzie went about scouting Mack.

Oakland’s scouting of Mack began with general manager Reggie McKenzie’s twin brother, Raleigh, who covered the Northeast and brought the Buffalo pass rusher to Reggie’s attention after the Ohio State game. The McKenzies watched Mack closely after that game to see if he would play down to the level of competition in the MAC. “That was the key, and he did not,” Reggie says. “And when he had the chance to play a big school, he dominated there too. You gotta look past the level of competition. You can’t beat him up because of that.”

Separately, Klemko tweeted out the following transcript from his interview with Mack, on how he studies offensive lineman.

Found this interesting from my interview with @52Mack_: How he studies offensive linemen. pic.twitter.com/tVeMCtbYdG

— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) September 13, 2016