Dec 27, 2013 2 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Washington High School’s Shai McKenzie began the year as one of the most highly recruited running backs in the country and ended it as a recruit of Virginia Tech.

McKenzie, who rushed for 2,689 and scored 41 touchdowns as a junior in 2012, was off one of the best starts by a running back in WPIAL history when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first half of the Prexies’ third game of the season, a 66-10 win at Charleroi. McKenzie had rushed for 650 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in only 2½ games. Against Charleroi, McKenzie rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on only six carries before suffering a torn ACL while making a cut on the artificial turf.

The injury had no impact on McKenzie’s recruiting status as the college coaches continued to call. After taking official recruiting visits to Atlantic Coast Conference schools Pitt, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Florida State, McKenzie announced Dec. 20 that he will play for the Hokies and enroll at the Blacksburg, Va., school next month.

“Virginia Tech showed a lot of loyalty,” he said. “They told me a lot of good things are coming for the program. They have always been a good program.”

McKenzie ended his career with 4,856 yards, which is 15th on the WPIAL’s all-time rushing list.