NSD: Jeremiah McKinnon add depth to FIU secondary

(Joey Cruz/ The Beacon)

By Joey Cruz/ Staff Writer

joey.cruz@fiusm.com

With recent controversy surrounding the Mario Cristobal-Rutgers coaching scenario, Jeremiah McKinnon was a bit nervous when the situation arose at first.

“I called him as soon as I heard just to make sure he was staying,” McKinnon said. “Then I realized when he made his decision that I shouldn’t have worried about it because I know he’s committed to the program.”

When asking Ms. McKinnon (Jeremiah’s mother) whether Cristobal’s decision would change her son’s mind on attending FIU, she stated that he had made his decision for what was best for him and his family and that was FIU.

The three-star recruit started his football career at the age of three for the Miami-Optimist Richmond Giants. He then expanded his game to Miami Southridge Senior High School. Jeremiah McKinnon has kept his talents in Miami and signed to FIU.

McKinnon was a multi-purpose player at Miami South Ridge, playing almost every skill position available. He returned kicks and played quarterback and receiver. His primary position is defensive back, which is what FIU recruited him as.

“At first I was relying on my physical and athletic ability to make plays,” McKinnon said.

McKinnon looks to succeed formidable FIU players such as T.Y Hilton and Anthony Gaitor, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Gaitor called me about a week ago to congratulate me,” McKinnon said. “He told me that as soon as the Super Bowl was over, he’d be back on campus to work with me in the gym and on the field.” His defensive backs coach states he is relieved that McKinnon has players that he can look up to because they faced many of the same experiences he will face.

McKinnon’s sisters and mother are very proud of him and the choice he made to stay at FIU.

“Jeremiah is a momma’s boy and wanted to stay near her,” Jade McKinnon said. “I let him make his own choice and cheered him on as well as supported him.”

His mother and sister stated that FIU is where he felt most comfortable because it was closer to home and he has friends who play on the team, as well as his cousin Richard Leonard.  “I’m very excited and I don’t plan to red-shirt my freshman season,” McKinnon said. “I want to make an impact as soon as I can.”