We already knew that Union running back DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK was one of the best prospects at his position heading into the 2022 season. But watching his production throughout the year and the different ways he impacts the game, that just solidified his spot as one of the best backs in Oklahoma. McKinney showed from the start of the season that he was just as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield as opposed to taking a handoff. And while he’s one of the smaller running backs, he doesn’t shy away from contact or just run outside of the tackles. He’s a tough back that has no problem carrying the ball 20+ times a game.

We mentioned Union’s running game earlier with offensive lineman Bennett Ringleb Bennett Ringleb 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Union | 2023 State OK . One prospect that benefitted from having that strong line in front of him was Union’s senior DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK , who was a complete gamechanger from the very start of the season. Whether it was toting the rock or catching passes out of the backfield, McKinney was Union’s most consistent weapon on the offensive side of the ball this season. McKinney isn’t the biggest running back but he’s proven that size doesn’t matter at all. He has all the speed and quickness you want to see in the open field. But look at his running in between the tackles and you’ll see what we mean. He’s one of the top overall running backs remaining in the 2023 class.

You can make the argument that Union senior wide receiver DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK has been the best overall player in 6A-1 football this season. We’ve written about him quite a bit because of his stellar performances. But what has been the most impressive about McKinney is it seems like he always shines the brightest in the biggest games of the season. Helping Union make it back to a second consecutive state championship game is a pretty big moment so it seems like a safe bet that McKinney is going to perform well on Friday. In the regular season meeting against the Rams, McKinney had another stellar performance as both a running back and then catching the ball out of the backfield. There’s a lot to like about his game.

The second Union Redhawk on the breakdown and we go from the defensive side of the ball to one of the best players on the offensive side of the ball in Class 6A-1 with senior running back DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK . The senior became a breakout player last season when he was with Booker T Washington. And McKinney is now one of the best running backs in the state. He’s run for more than 1,000 yards and he’s also another weapon in the passing game as one of the top receivers on the team. It was obvious that McKinney was going to have a major impact on the Redhawk offense very early on this season. McKinney got banged up in week ten so that is something to keep an eye on.

Union senior running back DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK has made 200 yards of total offense and four touchdowns look like it’s the normal routine every single week. McKinney eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on the season and he added four more rushing touchdowns to his total with Thursday night’s performance. We’ve watched McKinney quite a bit over the last 18 months and we always knew that he had legit speed, quickness, etc. But what impressed us the most on Thursday was his running power. McKinney was looking for contact and he broke several tackles, dragged defenders and was always falling forward for extra yards. The highlight plays with breakaway speed were impressive, but it was what he did in between the tackles that had us incredibly impressed with his performance against Mustang.

It was apparent from the first scrimmage in August that Union senior running back DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK would have a massive impact on the Union offense. As a running back and as a receiver out of the backfield, McKinney has been truly dynamic. And full disclosure, Class 6A-1 might have been the toughest class to put a spotlight on just one player. And Union was a tough team to spotlight the best player to their 5-0 start. But we’re giving the edge to McKinney because of the impact he can have on the offensive side of the ball. McKinney enjoyed a breakout season last year at Booker T Washington. He’s continued that momentum this fall with the Redhawks. McKinney and the Redhawks appear to be on a crash course for Bixby in the 6A-1 state championship game. As long as McKinney stays healthy, he’s going to continue to put up monster numbers as Union looks to capture their first state title since 2016.

Union senior running back DJ McKinney DJ McKinney 6'0" | RB Union | 2023 State OK is very quickly becoming one of the top all purpose backs in the state’s 2023 class. We’ve seen the production he’s had early on this year but watching how they use him in person, it’s incredibly impressive and puts so much stress on a defense. McKinney isn’t the biggest back but he uses his vision and quick lateral movement to make a small play into a big one in the blink of an eye. In their runaway win over the Trojans, McKinney was a workhorse at running back with 22 carries for 145 yards. Jenks did a good job of not giving up the big play but McKinney still gashed the Trojans throughout the night. He also added 52 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. McKinney is going to end up being one of Union’s top receivers this year at the rate he’s currently on.