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September 16, 2013

Shai McKenzie: Torn ACL

Filed under: Football,Recruiting — Justin @ 10:57 am

Shai McKenzie, one of the top Pittsburgh area seniors as well as one of the top RBs in the nation, tore his ACL last week. This obviously knocks him out for the rest of the season and I know I speak for everyone when I say no matter where he goes to school, I wish him a speedy recovery.

Not to sound selfish, but this does bode well for Pitt. Obviously Shai’s health is goal #1 and everything else a distant second, however this may push up the timetable for his decision. Shai has a few schools that have floated around his list and the one constant has been Pitt. FSU appeared to be his top target, but then they faded after other RBs were added. VT appeared to jump up to the top but that seems to have cooled lately. Numerous insiders are suggesting that this injury will push Shai to Pitt soon.

Why would this injury lead him to commit early? Simple: so he can focus on rehab. Shai was likely going to wait until after the season to officially decide so he could focus on his senior year. With that off the table, it makes sense to commit. Also, this injury may show him who truly wants him. If VT cools off because he may not be able to play his freshman year, that obviously would knock them down a peg and VT needs an immediate contributor far more than Pitt does. The coaches may see this as an opportunity to close. Show him some love, offer whatever help NCAA regulations permit, and continue to build the relationship.

Don’t underestimate UPMC Sports Medicine either. If Shai gets top notch care on his knee right here in the city, that’ll be a hell of a sales pitch from the coaches. The one caveat I’ll add is that Chryst needs to make it crystal clear that the coaches and doctors determine whether or not he plays as a freshman and that if he isn’t ready, they’ll redshirt him. Rushing back too soon from an ACL injury could derail his entire career. If he takes a redshirt, it’ll give him nearly 2 years between games to recover. There are too many sad stories of players who came back too soon from ACL injuries. Ray Graham is one of them and I feel awful that he’s not an NFL RB right now.





Justin, You are right the earliest this young man should see the field is Fall 2015. I had my 2nd shoulder surgery done with James Andrews in Birmingham after my first one was done at UPMC and the results the 2nd time were awesome compared to first. I say he gets on a plane and gets to see Andrews ASAP. I did have my knee done by Dr. Fu and he did an awesome job. I was surrounded by MLB pitchers and they all think the world of Andrews. Good luck Kid.

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 11:06 am

I think Andrews did RGIII’s knee and may be Redskins doctor. Is Fu still at UPMC?

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 11:10 am

Yes, Dr. Fu is very much still at Pitt. After the first Pitt touchdown on Saturday, he was shown on the jumbotron screen In his operating scrubs in an operating room raising his arms to signal “touchdown.” Very cool.

Comment by PetePitt73 09.16.13 @ 11:19 am

Let’s wish him a great surgeon, great rehab, a redshirt, and a great career. Hopefully at Pitt.

Comment by gc 09.16.13 @ 11:24 am

One nice thing is that the coaches have a lot of capital when it comes to playing freshmen. If they tell Shai next summer “you’re going to redshirt, your knee isn’t ready” he can’t say it’s becaue the coaches don’t want to play a true freshman. If Shai is ready and healthy, he’ll be able to compete for playing time. If not? It’ll be because the coaches think he needs more time, not because they don’t want to play a freshman.

Comment by Justin 09.16.13 @ 11:32 am

Andrews did AP’s knee as well I read. I agree Justin.. It’s already basically October by the time he gets his surgery. August camp would only be 10 months. RS would be in his best interest. Smash Duke this week boys. The girls are ugly and Duke is a BB school.

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 11:47 am

Justin – Did any of you guys watch Freebeck against John Curtis. He is gonna be pretty good man. I watched first half. As a side note their end / LB that is going to OSU is sick.

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 12:00 pm

Freddy is a friend of mine and did My father’s knee.. He is a genius and a valuable resource for Pitt. .

Comment by 63 Team 09.16.13 @ 2:37 pm

63 – I played 4 weeks after Freddy did my torn miniscus. It is no where serious though like ACL/PCL’s etc. If I torn an ACL or PCL I’d only go to Andrews. No offense to Freddy he is a genius but Andrews is a God. When AP and RG III put their faith in him that says it all.

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 3:47 pm

63 – As a side note, Freddy’s commitment to Pitt and UPMC is awesome. He pretty much turned the Sports Med portion of the business into a major part of the UPMC empire.

Comment by Upittbaseball 09.16.13 @ 3:49 pm

I wish the kid well. Justi. You are correct that he likely will not see the field until spring 2015. Had a son play D1 and tore his ACL twice. Can even begin to feel comfortable until 18 months later (earliest). Everyone thinks you are back in 6-8 months but that is unrealistic at this level. He will do best to take his time and use the opportunity to learn the system (hopefully Pitt’s system). Technically be will release to play fall 2014 but I doubt if he is physically ready as a true freshman returning from ACL repair.
Any word on if he wanted to enroll in January and get the specialized rehab started at a university? Early that would be a carrot that Pitt and others would be throwing out there.

Comment by Pitt fan in Atlanta 09.16.13 @ 4:06 pm

if UPMC is so darn good, why are the Stillers continually among the most injured?

Comment by wbb 09.16.13 @ 4:19 pm

Wish the kid well but I wouldn’t be in such a rush to be the team offering at this point. I think Chryst has proven he can get production from the running back spot without attracting 5 star talent. His system is more about building a line that paves the way for durable types. Wasn’t this the same kid who was popping off about Schell leaving a couple months ago? I don’t see his recruitment as a priority. At Wisconsin Chryst had a 2 Star throw up back to back 1000 yd seasons on the way to the Rose Bowl. His knee might heal but does his head fit in one of our helmets?

Comment by spiritofsection 22 09.16.13 @ 4:26 pm

amen section 22. a – freakin – men

Comment by Atlanta Panther 09.16.13 @ 4:37 pm

My understanding is that McKenzie hasn’t even had a complete diagnosis from an orthopedic surgeon yet, so lets all hold our horses on the mapping out the future of the recruiting/college career of Mr. McKenzie just yet.

Comment by Dr. Tom 09.16.13 @ 4:54 pm

What is really interesting about the first two games is how productive the freshman have been. This speaks volume of the lack of talented upper classmen.

I agree with 22 to some extent. Connor has proven himself and he will be here for a while. With PC building an OL there are likely to be a ton of 1000 yard runner. Would love to have SM as he is a real talent but as we all know PC makes you kiss the ring before he lays it on. He has shown that he recruits kids that want to be at Pitt and not the reverse.

Comment by Pitt fan in Atlanta 09.16.13 @ 4:57 pm

section 22 the head fitting the helmet is the best. I think HC PC is done taking oversized heads, behind the oline he is building talent @ RB becomes less important than durability.

Comment by Punxy Panther 09.16.13 @ 5:58 pm

Punxy, I think his style will fit well here, but we have along way to go. Fortunately we don’t have much to lose though. HTP

Comment by spiritofsection 22 09.16.13 @ 6:33 pm

Coach Chryst is definitely not the used car salesman type. I’m sure this staff has been upfront with McKenzie on what is expected here, and will be upfront about how the knee and playing time next year will be handled. Just based on what I read and my gut I felt Pitt had a real good shot at Bookser and Henry, not as much with Shai. Definitely agree this injury helps Pitt’s chances. Hope they stay after him. Hard. A legit 4 star talent…

Comment by Pap76 09.17.13 @ 12:52 am

Interesting yesterday when Chris James tweeted “Pitt or Wisconsin”. So (while not likely) what if he commits to Pitt? With him and Ollison on board, does that shut the door on McKenzie even having an open offer? I don’t get it. Some of these guys wait around so long that they end up having their choices narrowed down for them. Maybe that is part of their strategy. Regardless, hopefully it works out in Pitt’s favor and we get some of these big targets we have left.

Comment by JJ 09.17.13 @ 9:03 am

I’ve always preferred Dr. Feldersnatch for what ails me.

Comment by Dan 09.17.13 @ 9:26 am

I prefer Dr Pappy Van Winkle

Comment by usd121 09.17.13 @ 10:56 am

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