McKinley is a Sharpe shooter

Kenny McKinley’s knowledge of Sterling Sharpe is hazy, like the black-and-white photo of Sharpe that looks down on the USC football team from a wall in the weight room.

Sharpe’s playing career was over by the time McKinley, growing up in the Atlanta area, started watching football. McKinley was more familiar with Shannon Sharpe and knew Sterling, that guy analyzing the NFL on TV, was his brother.

Even when he committed to play at USC, McKinley had no idea he would be following in Sterling’s footsteps as a receiver at USC. Soon, that changed.

“When I got here, I soon heard about him, read about him and always (have) seen his name and jersey around the stadium,” McKinley said. “When you’re around Carolina football, you’ve got to know the guys who have come before you.”

Starting next season, Gamecocks players will be reading and learning about McKinley.

The senior is four catches from breaking Sharpe’s school record of 169 career receptions.McKinley and Sharpe have not met. Sharpe, who has kept his distance from the school he played for from 1983-87, wishes McKinley well.

“I don’t know Kenny’s career that well,” Sharpe said in an e-mail. “He must have something that has allowed him to catch that many passes, and I guess he has been mostly healthy until now. ... From way away, he seems like a good football player.”

Sharpe also holds the USC record with 2,497 career receiving yards. McKinley has 2,257.

McKinley holds the USC record for consecutive games played with a catch with 36, surpassing the mark of 34 held by Sharpe and Jermale Kelly (1997-2000).

McKinley said it would be “amazing” to overtake Sharpe in the record book. McKinley came to USC after playing quarterback in high school and was overshadowed his first two years by Sidney Rice.

When Rice left early for the NFL, McKinley became the go-to receiver. McKinley does not seem likely to be drafted as high as Rice (second round) or Sharpe (first round, seventh overall), but as a collegian, McKinley has excelled.

Todd Ellis, USC’s quarterback during Sharpe’s final two seasons and the Gamecocks’ current radio announcer, sees similarities between the two.

Durability is the main one. The hamstring injury that forced McKinley to miss three games this season was his first significant injury at USC. McKinley has held up well, despite a slight frame (6-foot, 182 pounds). Sharpe was bigger — and just as tough.

“Kenny McKinley, from day one here, didn’t have every skill that Sterling Sharpe has, but he had the toughness there, and I see that in both those guys,” Ellis said. “They can catch the crossing routes, the underneath routes, the goal-line fades, the deep balls, and so that shows to me that they’re very, very versatile.”

Sharpe’s best skill was his ability to gain yards after the catch. Ellis said McKinley comes close to matching Sharpe in that regard.

And neither Sharpe nor McKinley seem to be me-first receivers. Although Sharpe always wanted the ball, Ellis said, he never came into the huddle and complained, and he stood up for his teammates.

McKinley gives off the same vibe. When asked about Sharpe’s record, he credits the linemen and quarterback, “who put me past him, if I get the record.”

When that happens, it might be time to hang a photo of McKinley.

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.