2006 (Junior): McKinney played 12 games and started 10 games at defensive end for the Aggies. He recorded 16 tackles, six were solo and 10 were assisted. He had three tackles for a loss of 19 yards, tallied two quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery. He made two tackles five different times throughout the season. Against Louisiana Tech he recorded two tackles-for-a-loss of 12 yards and one quarterback sack.
2005 (Sophomore): McKinney was the Aggies 11th leading tackler in 2005 with 33 tackles on the season, despite missing three games toward the end of the season (Boise State, San Jose, Nevada). He was second on the team in tackles-for-a-loss with eight for 15 yards as well as second on the team in sacks with two for a loss of five yards. McKinney also recorded two pass break-ups on the year. He tallied three or more tackles five times during the season. Against Fresno State (10/18) McKinney recorded a career-high 10 tackles and four tackles-for-a-loss. Versus Call (9/23) and Colorado (9/10) McKinney tallied five tackles in each game.
2004 (Freshman): McKinney played in 10 of the Aggies’ 11 games as a freshman. He finished the season with 16 total tackles, including seven solo tackles. McKinney had a career-high four total tackles in the first game of his career at Arkansas (9/4). Four of McKinney’s tackles came for a total of eight lost yards. McKinney’s lone pass breakup came at California (9/11).
High School: McKinney started at both linebacker and fullback for three seasons at Rio Rancho High School. He rushed for over 700 yards that year and had over 300 tackles in his career at Rio Rancho. He was a first team All-State pick at linebacker and was a first team All-District 1-5A selection. He played in the North-South game after leading Rio Rancho to a 7-3 record in 2003. As a senior, he won the discus throw at the state high school track and field championships with a toss of 183-09.
Personal: Brandon McKinney was born in Mesa, Ariz., and is the son of Mark and Margaret Gristy. He is undecided on his major.
