Chadwick’s McKinnie Signs With Southern Methodist

Chadwick linebacker Mac McKinnie became the first football player from the small, private school in Palos Verdes to receive a scholarship from a Division I-A college when he signed a national letter of intent Wednesday with Southern Methodist University.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound McKinnie was a four-year varsity starter, a three-time All-Prep League choice and a two-time All-Southern Section selection for Chadwick, which plays eight-man football. He chose SMU over Oregon and Wake Forest.

“All three schools have excellent football and academic programs, but SMU feels right to me,” McKinnie said. “And I believe I can play sooner and more at SMU.”

McKinnie, who also plays basketball and baseball at Chadwick, was one of several South Bay high school standouts who were expected to sign letters of intent Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.

As reported last week, four players had given unwritten commitments to Pacific 10 Conference schools. Carson running back/receiver Theron Hill was expected to sign with Washington, Banning defensive lineman Naeem Mills with Oregon, Inglewood running back Na’il Benjamin with California and Redondo lineman Ryan Turner with Stanford.

Mills was one of three Banning players expected to sign with four-year colleges. Tailback Shayzar Hawkins (Fresno State) and linebacker Tawan Hall (Nevada) were the others.

St. Bernard quarterback Chris Keldorf was expected to sign with Utah State and West Torrance offensive lineman Mike Hendricks committed to the University of the Pacific.