Brayden McKenna: A new Warrior joins Wayne State
LAPEER, Mich. — Lapeer High School senior running back Brayden McKenna just recently announced he will play for Wayne State University next year.
Committed🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/altCMKtjfe
— Brayden Mckenna (@brayden_mckenna) December 16, 2021
From a scouting standpoint, the fourth year gridder checks in at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds. McKenna runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. The future Wayne State Warrior adds power, supported by weight training. He can reportedly squat up to 400 pounds.
Among his achievements are leading the Saginaw Valley League Red Division in rushing yards twice. Moreover, he was picked as Mlive Flint-area Offensive Player of the Year as well as a first team All-State selection.
McKenna was reported to be the 2021 state leader in rushing. He finished the fall campaign with 242 carries for an eye-popping 2,145 yards and 30 touchdowns. Plus, he added 17 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns at receiver. This accounted for a majority of the team’s offensive production in 2021.
In September, he put on his best performance of the season versus Saginaw Heritage. The stat line is staggering: 265 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Additionally, he is listed at middle linebacker.
McKenna mentioned the large Lightning offensive line as vital in his efforts. They certainly paved the way.
“Our line has helped a ton getting those yards,” he said. “My yards are their yards, too. It wouldn’t be possible without them.”
He led his team to a 7-3 record. Lapeer made the postseason but bowed out early in a loss to eventual Division I state finalist Rochester Adams.
Amazingly, he competed with a broken hand much of the year. No matter, McKenna stayed on the field. He successfully adapted and excelled in the process. That’s a testament to his tremendous toughness and iron will.
“I told the coaches, ‘I don’t care if I have a broken hand or not. Still play me the same way,’” he said. “I learned how to catch well so the game really didn’t change at all.”
He would not be dissuaded.
“It was my right hand I hurt,” he explained. “I had to carry (the ball) mostly with left but I kind of learned to manage to carry it with my right. It got better and better as it healed but at the beginning it was kind of tender.”
He credits a superior work ethic for his success. McKenna has focused on football since elementary school. As an example, he participated in the developmental program 475 Elite Training.
Aside from the gridiron, he stars on the diamond. McKenna plays catcher on the Lightning varsity baseball club. Last spring, he batted .479 with five home runs. What’s more, he played for the Foutch travel team.
The two-sport star attracted attention from numerous Division II schools across the Midwest. Teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) especially took notice.
On top of everything, McKenna is a team player without an ego or personal agenda. He is well-liked by many, even on-field rivals.
On the academic side, several subjects have caught his eye. Those include medicine, kinesiology and behavioral psychology. The future is open wide for this young man.
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