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Why Isaiah McKenzie is Georgia’s MVP so far, and it’s not even close

By Jay Hawkins

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) breaks a tackle by Nicholls State Colonels punter Tyler St. Germain (19) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) breaks a tackle by Nicholls State Colonels punter Tyler St. Germain (19) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Without Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia Football would not be 3-0.

Related Story: After Mizzou win, Georgia Football moves up to No. 12 in the AP poll

Isaiah McKenzie is Georgia Football’s MVP thus far through three weeks. It is not even close. When Georgia’s offense stumbled, McKenzie came through.

In Week 1, McKenzie had 122 yards receiving and a touchdown. Without some of McKenzie’s key plays, Georgia might not have won the game against North Carolina.

Against Nicholls State the following Saturday, McKenzie did not put up the same stats he did in Week 1, but he did come through in a critical time when he caught a pass from Eason and used his speed to take it 66 yards for a touchdown. This score helped keep Georgia afloat and avoid an upset by a FCS team.

Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) catches a touchdown pass in front of Missouri Tigers defensive back Aarion Maxey-Penton (11) in the second half at Faurot Field. The Bulldogs won 28-27. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) catches a touchdown pass in front of Missouri Tigers defensive back Aarion Maxey-Penton (11) in the second half at Faurot Field. The Bulldogs won 28-27. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Finally, on Saturday, McKenzie cemented himself even more as a key cog in the Georgia offense. He had 122 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including a great catch in the end zone that was the game winner.

McKenzie is now clearly the No. 1 receiver at Georgia. He is the guy that Eason seems to feel most comfortable throwing the ball to. McKenzie is on pace for a historic season at Georgia as he already has 305 receiving yards and only needs to eclipse Terrance Edwards’ record of 1,004 receiving yards to break the UGA single-season receiving yards record.

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He is in good shape to do so. He is already second in the SEC in receiving yards behind only Missouri’s J’Mon Moore. McKenzie is also second in the conference in all-purpose yards with 456 total yards, trailing Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb. The 5-8, 175 pound junior from Miami, Fla., is also on of the most explosive players in the SEC, as he is tied with Arkansas’ Rawleigh Williams with the most plays of ten or more yards.

McKenzie has been a huge part of UGA’s offense. His role is even more important as the offensive line has struggled, and Nick Chubb and the rest of the running backs’ production has gone down as a result. He is the most important part of this team so far, and it is clear for all to see.

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