McKenzie played
college football at Tennessee from 2015 to 2017 under head coach
Butch Jones.[7] He debuted in the 2015 season opener against the
Bowling Green Falcons at
Nissan Stadium in
Nashville, Tennessee. He made his first collegiate tackle in the 31–24 2OT loss to the
Oklahoma Sooners in the next game.[8] On November 21, in a 19–8 victory over the
Missouri Tigers, he recorded his first collegiate sack.[9] His production in the 2016 season declined due to a pectoral muscle suffered against
Alabama in his first career start.[10] He returned from his injury in the 2017 season and recorded 35 total tackles and two sacks.[11]
McKenzie was drafted by the
Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round (198th overall) of the
2018 NFL draft.[1] After being drafted as a defensive tackle, the Chiefs announced their intent to move him to
guard.[14]
On August 31, 2019, McKenzie was waived by the Chiefs.[15]
Seattle Seahawks (first stint)
On September 2, 2019, McKenzie was signed to the
practice squad of the
Seattle Seahawks.[16] His practice squad contract with the team expired on January 20, 2020.[17]
Los Angeles Wildcats
McKenzie signed with the
DC Defenders of the
XFL on January 20, 2020, but was immediately traded to the
Los Angeles Wildcats in a three-team trade the same day.[18] He was placed on
injured reserve on February 22, 2020.[19] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[20]
Seattle Seahawks (second stint)
On April 20, 2020, McKenzie was signed by the
Seattle Seahawks.[21] He was waived on July 26, 2020.[22]
Cincinnati Bengals
McKenzie had a tryout with the
Green Bay Packers on August 17, 2020,[23] and with the
Cincinnati Bengals on August 23, 2020.[24] He signed with the Bengals two days later.[25] He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[26][27] He was elevated to the active roster on September 26 and October 10 for the team's weeks 3 and 5 games against the
Philadelphia Eagles and
Baltimore Ravens, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[28][29] He was promoted to the active roster on October 17.[30] He was waived on October 24,[31] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[32] He was elevated to the active roster on November 14, December 6, and December 12 for the team's weeks 10, 13, and 14 games against the
Pittsburgh Steelers,
Miami Dolphins, and
Dallas Cowboys, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[33][34][35] On January 2, 2021, he was signed to the active roster.[36]
On August 31, 2021, McKenzie was waived by the Bengals.[37]
Baltimore Ravens
On September 8, 2021, McKenzie signed with the Ravens' practice squad.[38] On September 25, 2021, McKenzie was temporarily elevated to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement[39] in advance of the Ravens' Week 3 win over the
Detroit Lions, in which McKenzie made his debut and recorded 2 tackles in 15 snaps.[40] On October 22, 2021, Ravens head coach
John Harbaugh confirmed that McKenzie was being "cross-trained" to play as an
offensive lineman as well as a
defensive lineman.[41] He was signed to the active roster on November 20, 2021. He was released on November 22, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[42] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens on January 10, 2022.[43]
On August 30, 2022, McKenzie was released by the Ravens and signed to the practice squad the next day.[44][45]
On January 15, 2024, McKenzie was selected by the
St. Louis Battlehawks in the seventh round of the Super Draft portion during the
2024 UFL dispersal draft.[48] He was waived on February 8, 2024.[49] McKenzie announced his retirement on Instagram on February 11, 2024.[50]
Personal life
McKenzie is the son of former NFL linebacker and
Miami Dolphins senior personnel executive
Reggie McKenzie and nephew of former NFL guard
Raleigh McKenzie.[51] His brother, Jalen McKenzie, was a four star recruit who committed to USC on January 16, 2017. A three year starter at USC, Jalen declared for the
2022 NFL Draft on December 6, 2021.[52]