#91 Brandon McKinney | DT

 

Brandon McKinney’s size, strength and versatility make him a valuable part of the Chargers’ defensive line. The big man with the big heart will play with an angel by his side this year as Brandon has had to cope with the untimely death of his mother, Diane McKinney, earlier this year. A former social worker in his native Dayton, Ohio, Diane helped mold Brandon into as fine a young man as you will find inside of an NFL locker room.

Last year in 2007, McKinney’s second professional season, he saw time at both nose tackle and defensive end. When Pro Bowl nose tackle Jamal Williams was bothered by injuries late in the season, McKinney stepped up his game. He posted a career-high six tackles in Dec. 9 win at Tennessee and had three stops in each of the Bolts’ last three regular-season contests.

A former undrafted free agent, McKinney split time between the practice squad and the active roster as a rookie. The former Michigan State Spartan has benefited from working under veteran defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely and is expected to continue to provide valuable depth in 2008.

McKinney lives in Chula Vista in the home of teammate Marcus McNeill. His hobbies include spending time with family, basketball and video games.

Following in the footsteps of his parents, Brandon was a sociology major in college. He enjoys working with kids, and while a student at MSU, he helped run an on-campus summer day program for kids 12-18 years old. While his mother was a social worker, his father, Timothy, is the state director for Dayton’s Urban League.

  
TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed two-year contract with Chargers as undrafted rookie, May 8, 2006.

2007: Inactive Weeks 1-2…saw extensive action at defensive tackle and collected season-high six tackles at Tennessee Dec. 9…started final two games against Denver and Oakland…recorded tackle for loss among three stops against Raiders…inactive for all three postseason contests.

2006: Spent Weeks 1-8 on practice squad...signed to active roster Nov. 11 and saw reserve action Weeks 9-12, 15-16 and in AFC Divisional Playoff game vs. New England...inactive Weeks 13-14...saw extensive action in season finale against Arizona after Jacques Cesaire left game injured.

COLLEGE: Started two-and-a-half seasons at defensive tackle for Michigan State Spartans…finished career with 93 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss…second-leading tackler on defensive line with career-high 42 stops as junior in 2004…received medical redshirt in 2003 while recovering from foot injury…played at Michigan State from 2002-05…earned degree in social science.

PERSONAL: Born in Dayton, Ohio…PrepStar All-America and two-time Associated Press all-state selection at Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton.