Stay Ready: Alijah McGhee is preparing for college football the old fashioned way

The summer is a time for people, both young and

old, to relax and take in some sights, get some sun and have some fun. For

former Northside High School defensive back Alijah McGhee it is also time to

stay sharp, both physically and mentally, for his next move: college football.

McGhee is headed to Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro,

Kentucky and even though he’s not scheduled to leave town until August 3 he

still has his eyes on the clock. “I am ready to start the college life and am

looking forward to new things especially in a new state,” said McGhee in a

interview earlier this week.  

McGhee has been putting himself through drill work

and been participating in 7v7 s in order to stay game ready during the

offseason. “If you want to get up there and have the opportunity to play right

away you have to be ready,” answered McGhee to the question of why he’s putting

in so much work a month before he even sets foot on campus. “This isn’t high

school football anymore.”

Three years of playing for the Eagles and long time

head coach and athletic director Kevin Kinsler has done more than just prepare

McGhee for the rigors of playing defensive back on the next level. He’s also

mentally preprared to put the work in. “Coach Kinsler always talked about

practicing hard, playing hard and living up to the Northside legacy,” said

McGhee.

His old coach thinks he will do just fine on the

college level if he sticks with the same level of work ethic. “Alijah had a

productive career at Northside and blossomed during his junior year,” says

Kinsler, “he’s still a raw talent at corner and will only get better.”

McGhee played free safety and linebacker early in

his high school career before being moved to defnsive back in order to takle

advantage of his ball skills and speed. “He has the size to go against big

receivers and a skill level that I think will blossom at the next level,” said

Kinsler.

McGhee’s skills and size will have to come along

with a side of patience. Kentucky Wesleyan had a rough 2017 season, losing

their season opener at Murray State 67-7 en route to going 2-8 overall. McGhee

is expected to play a major part in head coach Brent Holsclaw and defensive

backs coach Ben Marigny secondary and staying sharp through the summer months,

in particular before a freshman season, is a way to better his chances of

hitting the field early and often this season. “I want to start, catch at least

three interceptions, have some tackles and  get a real feel for the

college game,” says McGhee, who plans on majoring in business or engineering,

about the freshman season he envisions.

That season or some semblance of it starts this

summer. One workout at a time. “I have to stay right, have to stay in shape.”

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