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McLee prepared to make that big step to the NFL

By Mike Ciarochi 3 min read

Kevin “Boo” McLee has done all he can do to prepare for this weekend’s NFL draft. After eight weeks of intense training in Nashville, Tenn., followed by a week of Senior Bowl practices and playing in that all-star game, McLee returned to Morgantown to resume workouts.

He’ll be in the Uniontown area over the weekend, but you won’t find him in front of a television watching the draft unfold.

“I’ll be out golfing somewhere, Nemacolin or Seven Springs or someplace like that,” McLee said. “Playing golf helps me relax. Watching the draft on TV, I wouldn’t be able to relax at all.”

He’s certainly earned the right to relax this weekend. McLee was a two-year starting linebacker at West Virginia after a stellar career at Uniontown.

Now McLee is prepared for the next step, the next level. He has gotten mixed signals from various sources as far as how the draft may unfold for him, but he is convinced he will be drafted and that he can play in the National Football League.

“I’m in the best shape of my life right now,” he said. “I just want to get to a camp and show them what I can do. I hear different things from different people.

“I visited Jacksonville last week, met their coaches and some of their players. I know I’m on their draft board. I told them I’d love to be a Jaguar. I think I’m on most people’s draft boards. Carolina has been in touch a few times.”

McLee explained that most teams bring in players to visit so the teams can check injuries, adding that he has been relatively healthy through his college career. He also knows that, while he may deserve to be picked during Saturday’s first three rounds, his name isn’t likely to be called until Sunday.

“I should be a first-day kid, but I know I will be picked on the second day,” McLee said. “Probably in the sixth or seventh round. I just need to get to a camp.”

He’ll play middle linebacker in the pros and it’s a position he believes he was born to play.

“I’ve got a natural nose for the football,” he said. “And I’m a great run stuffer. Going to West Virginia really helped me get ready for the pros. The coaches there prepared me the best they could for professional football.”

To play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers would be great for McLee, but he hasn’t received much attention from the Steelers.

“I love the Steelers, but to be honest they haven’t contacted me or my agent (Andy Sims),” McLee said. “I’d love to play for them, but I’ll love any team that I’m going to play for. I just want to make my mark as a hard-nosed football player.”

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