MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football linebacker Khalil McDonald recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what memory stands out to him from his football career, playing the linebacker position and what he wants to do after his football career is complete, among other things.
McDonald, a senior from Madison, Ala., has been a member of the Jaguar program since the 2015 season. After redshirting his first season and not seeing the field his second, McDonald has since played in 30 games and made five starts. He has also recorded 57 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a pass break up and recorded a safety in South's 2017 victory at Troy in the "Battle for the Belt". This season, McDonald has played in six contests, posting five stops.
At what age did you start playing football and how did you get involved in the sport?
"I would say that I started playing football when I was around four or five. I mainly got into it because I had a little brother and we were active and wanted to play every sport. We played football, basketball, soccer, or whatever we could get into."
What memory stands out to you from your playing career?
"There are a few, but the most memorable one for me was when my brother and I were playing pee-wee ball on the same team. There was a rule where a player could only score a certain amount of touchdowns. I had already scored my limit and then my brother scored his limit. The other team thought we were the same player and thought that our team had played the same player in two different jerseys."
Talk to me about your journey to South Alabama. What factored into your decision to come to South?
"South was one of the only football camps I went to and they told me that they were interested in me. I looked at the campus and saw that it was amazing. South was an in-state school for me and tuition wasn't as expensive as Auburn or Alabama. I wasn't a scholarship player and walked on here, so that played a factor and helped solidify my choice."
You eventually earned a scholarship. What did that mean to you?
"It meant a lot. It meant less struggle for my family. Receiving that scholarship helped us out financially."
You've been a member of the program since the 2015 season. What will take with you from your time at South Alabama?
"The people and the friendships and the bonding. Just the overall blessing of the experience. I could be anywhere else, but I was here for five years and all I can say is 'Go Jags!'"
What do you like most about playing the linebacker position?
I love the physicality and the ability to go run and hit another player. I'm a down-hill player. The linebacker position is really a mix of all the other defensive positions and it's also the leader of the defense. I like being in that role; being able to cover as well as blitz or get in the gap with my hand down, whatever the defensive scheme might be for that week."
You played in six games this season, but you suffered an injury in practice that has since held you out of action. How do you plan on wrapping up your Jaguar career?
"I just want to be there for my teammates and help motivate them, encourage them to keep doing the right things and come to practice with a good attitude. I just want them to continue to fight for each other regardless of what the outcome is because this is bigger than a game at the end of the game."
What area did you focus on improving during the offseason?
"Last year with it being my first season playing linebacker, I wasn't aware of how efficient it was to use your hands in the box to shed off blocks. Sometimes I was running using my head and shoulders and trying to just blow something up. Sometimes just using your hands is way more efficient in shedding a block, than getting into the contact."
As a senior, what do you see as your role on the team and on the defensive unit?
"For the defensive unit, especially for the younger players at my position like A.J. DeShazor and Sterrling Fisher, I just want to give them the knowledge and tricks of the game that I've acquired during my career. In the fourth quarter, opponents are going to try to aim for the sidelines and try to aim for outside leverage, especially against the outside linebacker position. You are going to be the one that has to make that play, so just helping them understand things like that. As far as the team, I just want to encourage others and make sure they are doing the right things and that they are still motivated."
What do you feel the defense needs to do down the stretch in order to close out 2019 season on a high note?
"We need to just keep working. The last thing you want to do in a situation like this is just stay the same and get worse. As long as you keep working to get better, the goal is yours."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I want to be an entrepreneur. There a few business that I want to start. There is a guy that I got my first job with that owns an entertainment business that sells and caters moon-bounce inflatables for parties, big school events, and other types of events. He is getting ready to retire and he is wanting me to take over his business. I just want to be able to branch out."
What do you like to do in your spare time away from the game?
"Invest and trade online. I like to look for different ways to make money."
What other sports did you play growing up?
"My favorite was track, but I also played soccer and basketball."
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