Interview: 2018 California 4-Star QB Tanner McKee Ramping Up for Camp Circuit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

An amazing junior season on the field for four-star quarterback Tanner McKee has answered all the questions about the rising star leaving very little doubt about his projection to the next level. The 6-6, 220 pound, gunslinger had a breakout year in 2016 and now looks to refine is skill set during the off-season.

McKee firmly put himself on recruiting boards across the country during his first year as a starter for Centennial High School. The Huskies squared off against some of the top teams in the country ending their year 11-2 with a MaxPreps national ranking of No. 8. McKee’s height may suggest a statue in the pocket, but he showed he has a little dual-threat ability tucking the ball 63 times for 539 yards with 15 scores adding to his impressive passing stat line hitting 203-of-280 (.725) attempts for 3,522 yards with 36 touchdowns against just eight picks.

College coaches up and down the west coast have headed to Corona to see the southern California talent with 12 total offers extended so far. The growing list of interested schools could push his offer sheet beyond 20 as exposure camps turn into college camps and the one-on-one instruction truly showcases McKee’s ability to receive coaching and deliver the ball under the microscope.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with McKee covering his 2016 season while getting an update on his recruitment and off-season workouts.

Interview

The Huskies finished the season ranked No. 8 in the country by MaxPreps. Looking back, what are your thoughts on the 2016 season?

“I thought it went really well. We had a lot of guys step up. I thought as a team we got a long really well. That showed chemistry showed on the field. I got a lot of good experience and good reps against high rated teams in the country. It was good for me to play against those great defenses.”

Which team was the toughest for you to work your magic against in 2016?

“It is hard to say. IMG Academy (No. 4 end of season ranking) and St. John Bosco (No. 2) were pretty equal. I feel like Bosco had an insane D-line and IMG’s secondary was insanely fast and really good. I don’t know that I can say one team over the other was better or tougher to play.”

How did that competition against IMG and Bosco make you better?

“It reinforced knowing how important putting the ball where it needs to be is on the field. I had to make sure that my receivers and I were on the same page on breaks and the timing of our routes in those games.”

Playing good competition makes one better. How did your game get better last year?

“It definitely helped me make decisions faster. At the beginning of the season during a game, I had to wait for our receivers to break to see that the route would be open. At the end of the season I could put the ball into a smaller window because I knew were my receivers would be.”

In jest, you rushed for over 500 yards during your junior season. Is it too early to start calling you a dual-threat quarterback?

“I don’t know. I like being called a dual-threat. Coach (Matt) Logan (head coach) has a great offense allowing the QB to pull the ball and run when we need it.”

Centennial is losing a ton of top senior talent, how does the next wave of talent look coming in for the 2017 season?

“I’m really excited. We have a lot of new guys. They will have to step it up and work hard. We will have to lift them up as a team. Coach Logan will get them ready, as he does every year.”

How are you connecting with the incoming group to get ready for the 2017 schedule?

“When we can go throw, I let them know. I ask them to come out. In the weight room we are getting to know them better. Next week we start speed training, that will help us build a bond.”

What are you working on with your game this off-season?

“Accuracy. I’m working with the receivers to get my timing down. I’m also working on being more knowledgeable about the offense.”

Are you playing 7v7 ball this spring?

“I’m playing with Gridiron.”

How does playing 7v7 help your game?

“It is another defense to read. It helps seeing how the corners and safeties play. Seeing how the corners and safeties play in 7v7 is a good way to find windows for receivers.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“Twelve.”

Which schools do you have offers from so far?

“Georgia, Colorado, Boise State, BYU, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon State, Nevada, Hawaii, Louisville, Utah, and Nebraska.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered you yet?

“I have recently talked to Oregon, Washington State, Washington, Cal, South Carolina, Alabama, and LSU.”

Some heavy hitters there. From our previous conversations I know you have taken unofficial visits to UCLA, Utah, BYU, Washington, Nebraska, and Stanford. Have you taken others?

“That’s all so far.”

I did see some pictures of you looking cold during your visit to Nebraska, how did that trip go?

(Laughs) “It was freezing there. It was a lot of fun. All the fans were great. The coaches were cool. I related to them well. Their fan base is really awesome.”

Do you have any upcoming visits?

“I’m trying to go to some schools on the east coast. I’d like to visit North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisville, and Georgia but I’m not for sure yet if we are going.”

There are some quarterbacks that like to commitment during their junior year. Have you started thinking about a commitment date yet?

“Not really, I’m just trying to evaluate everything right now.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“4.2.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I take it next month.”

With football being a near year round event, what do you do in your down time for fun?

“Right now I am playing volleyball with Centennial. I played basketball last year.”

How is your volleyball season going?

“We had our first tournament yesterday. We did alright. We don’t start league games for a month or two.”

Which position do you play in volleyball?

“I’m the outside hitter. I’m the guy spiking the ball.”

Tanner, thanks for your time today and good luck with your 7v7 and volleyball seasons.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Tanner McKee at UCLA 2016

Photo credits: recruitingnewsguru.com: No. 12 Tanner McKee vs. IMG Academy 2016.