Oregon Safety Verone McKinley III Signs With Miami Dolphins as UDFA

There’s an entire lot of Oregon delight residing within the Miami Dolphins’ security room.

Verone McKinley III has signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent, as first reported by ESPN’s Jordan Schultz and confirmed by his company SportsTrust.

McKinley reunites with fellow Oregon alum Jevon Holland, who was the primary security drafted in final yr’s draft by the Dolphins. McKinley performed behind Holland for his first two seasons earlier than breaking out in 2021.

Dolphins S Jevon Holland

He arrived in Eugene as a 4-star cornerback from Hebron Excessive Faculty in Carrolton, Tex. again in 2018. He utilized a redshirt in his true freshman yr earlier than making a big effect in 2019. McKinley led the Pac-12 in interceptions with 4 as a redshirt freshman, changing into the third freshman to guide the convention in interceptions within the final 41 years. He appeared in all 14 video games (beginning 11), and made 46 tackles on the yr.

Verone McKinley III vs. Ohio State

McKinley continued to develop in 2020 with Holland off to the NFL, beginning six of seven video games for the Geese. He ranked third on the crew with 41 whole tackles and registered an interception, a compelled fumble, and a fumble restoration as effectively.

The 2021 season was one of the best for the 5-foot-11 security, changing into one in every of 10 gamers in Oregon soccer historical past to be named a consensus All-American. He tied for the FBS lead with six interceptions, and he completed second on the crew with 78 whole tackles. His stellar yr led to him additionally being named one in every of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to one of the best defensive again in faculty soccer.

McKinley is one in every of a number of former Oregon Geese to discover a residence after the 2022 draft, together with Anthony Brown (Ravens), Devon Williams (Ravens), and CJ Verdell (Colts). Kayvon Thibodeaux was the one Duck to be chosen within the draft, 

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