When Georgia receiver Isaiah McKenzie returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown last November for the deciding score in a 20-13 win at Auburn, he tied a pair of program records.
It was his fifth career return for a touchdown, equaling Brandon Boykin's 2008-11 record, and it was his fourth career punt return for a score, matching Buzy Rosenberg's 1970-72 total. McKenzie's five career special-teams scores have been topped in Southeastern Conference history by only Kentucky's Derek Abney (eight), Alabama's Javier Arenas (seven) and Vanderbilt's Lee Nalley (six).
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior from Miami is just halfway through his college career, so there is no telling how much more there is to accomplish. There are, however, deficiencies he must overcome.
"I think he's a better punt returner than he is a kickoff returner, but he's good at both," Bulldogs first-year coach Kirby Smart said this week in a news conference. "It reminds me of when I was at Alabama and we had Javier. He was not a great kickoff returner but he did return them, and that's a little bit how Isaiah is, but he's got to have better ball security."
Smart witnessed that concern up close last season as Alabama's defensive coordinator, as McKenzie fell on his own fumble during the Crimson Tide's 38-10 demolishing of Georgia in Athens. McKenzie was not as fortunate down the stretch, fumbling a short pass from Brice Ramsey against Kentucky that resulted in a field goal and fumbling an end-around run against Georgia Southern that was returned 62 yards for a touchdown.
With those two fumbles sandwiched around his big play at Auburn, McKenzie has developed somewhat of a feast-or-famine reputation. He had a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown early last season at Vanderbilt and became the first player in Georgia history and the 12th in NCAA history to return a punt and a kickoff for scores in the same game during a 63-31 triumph at Kentucky in 2014.
"It is very big for me to keep the ball in my hands and not give it up to the other team," McKenzie told reporters this week. "I am working on that each and every day at practice."
A third of Georgia's 24 fumbles last season occurred on special teams, with McKenzie fumbling three times on special teams and losing one. Sony Michel and Reggie Davis also suffered turnovers on special teams, with a Davis fumbled punt return against Florida resulting in a touchdown that opened the floodgates to a 27-3 Gators win.
Smart has studied the video from last season, which helps explain why he has yet to solidify any of the return roles.
"There were some situations that were a little scary," Smart said. "When you're talking about turning the ball over three or four times on special teams, that's never a good situation. If they don't turn it over on special teams last season, they are probably first in the conference in turnover ratio.
"It really is important that we stress that, because we actually have some weapons."
Georgia held its fifth preseason workout Friday and its first in full pads, but there was no media availability afterward. Smart and coordinators Jim Chaney and Mel Tucker are scheduled to speak this morning, and the Bulldogs will host Fan Day activities this afternoon, which includes a two-hour practice that is open to the public beginning at 2:30.
Anderson commits
Georgia picked up its second commitment for its 2018 class Friday, from Adam Anderson of Rome High School. The 6-5, 225-pound Anderson is rated by 247Sports.com as the nation's No. 7 outside linebacker prospect.
Offensive tackle Max Wray of Franklin (Tenn.) High was Georgia's first commitment for 2018.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.