NORTH ANDOVER — Darion McKenzie had been waiting for the phone call his entire life. Since he was a little kid, he dreamed of picking up the telephone and hearing a National Football League scout or coach on the other end, offering him an opportunity.
That call came on Monday.
The Merrimack College defensive back has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’m blessed to get this opportunity honestly. It’s all thanks to God as well as my family. I’m just feeling blessed and thankful,” he said.
Throughout his career, particularly the past two seasons, McKenzie was aware of several teams scouting him. Heading into this past weekend’s NFL Draft, he wasn’t sure if his name would be called live on ESPN, but thought at some point he would get a phone call.
“There was some word going around that I could have been drafted maybe late, but it didn’t work out that way. It’s all good,” he said. “I fell a little later and I got the call, so that’s really all that matters at the end of the day. Drafted or not, I’m getting an opportunity and I’m just so excited about it.”
McKenzie finished his career college this past season as a graduate student. The 25-year-old, who stands 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, had three interceptions and two tackles for a loss.
“We are just so excited and thrilled for Darion to be given this opportunity,” said Merrimack head coach Mike Gennetti. “He’s had two season-ending injuries during his time with us, so for him to stick it out and ride it out is a credit to him. He has worked really hard for us and four our program and I couldn’t possibly be any prouder of him and putting himself in that position.
“He’s a really talented player. He’s a freak athlete really. Our system I think really gave him some quality film (for NFL scouts) playing a lot of man-to-man and press. Coach (Bryan) Robbat who is now at Holy Cross, did a great job working with Darion and developing him.”
McKenzie, who is from Berlin, Md., said that he will participate in the Steelers’ rookie mini-camp which starts later next week. He’s chomping at the bit to get going.
“I have always dreamed big ever since I was a little kid. This has always been the dream,” he said. “Now that it’s here, it’s just so exciting and truly a blessing. It’s really one percent of people play in the NFL or even get a shot. I’m getting a chance so that’s all you can really ask for.
“I’m just a guy that’s going to work hard and do anything you ask of him. I’m going to go in there and not ask for anything specific or anything. I’m just going to do what I need to do to stick around.”
Last year the Steelers signed former Merrimack College defensive lineman James Nyamwaya, who is currently playing for the Massachusetts Pirates, an IFL team that plays out of the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
Twitter: @JamiePote