If ever someone fit comfortably into his role, it is Kareem McKenzie.
As a senior offensive lineman, he must be a stabilizer. He must be a leader.
He must be an anchor.
It's obvious that McKenzie has the physical makeup to be a good football player. He's a 6-foot-7, 320 pounder with quick feet.
But McKenzie's personality often seems more conducive to a professional scholar. He's a soft-spoken man who carefully weighs his words. At times, McKenzie borders on philosophical.
It's rare, however, that McKenzie uses his imposing presence or knowledge to intimidate. Nonetheless, he is a formidable presence on the line in the eyes of opponents and teammates alike.
"Kareem has always been one of the leaders," tailback Eric McCoo said. "He shows great leadership and he works hard all the time. A lot of guys want to work as hard as he has. He brings that out in other guys."
That work ethic extends to the classroom, and then late into the night as McKenzie labors over his books. As serious an approach as he takes to football, he is even more serious about school.
Just as he does in football, McKenzie wants to achieve all he can. His parents, Harriet and Hayword, stressed the importance of academics, and their son has not forgot those early teachings.
"Just the end goal of that degree has kept me going," McKenzie said. "Just to be able to say 'I went to college and went through 18 hours a day of constant work', that's a lot to say."
Besides his internal motivation, McKenzie is driven by his extended family. Getting a degree is not enough. He said there is a competition in his family to get a degree with the most accolades attached.
"It's a competition, all out," McKenzie said. "You want to get your master's degree and whatever else."
McKenzie got a late start in football, but his maturity and poise he shows in all facets of life is nothing new.
For the Willingboro, N.J., native his development could be considered premature.
Just as McKenzie anchors the offensive line on autumn Saturdays, he anchors his family and has from a very young age.
When McKenzie was 2 years old, his parents divorced. He spent most of the time with Harriet and his sister, Tamika.
"I would tell him, 'You're the only man in the house' " Harriet said. "He was a little man all his life."
McKenzie took his role seriously. He obeyed his mother's wishes, rules and even exceeded her expectations at times. McKenzie mowed the lawn, finished his homework and cleaned his room without his parents' scolding.
"Believe me, he's wise beyond his years," Harriet said. "He never did talk like a kid."
McKenzie exemplified his adult qualities as young as elementary school. Before Thanksgiving one year, his teacher asked what he had to be thankful for.
With a straight expression, McKenzie answered that he was thankful for food.
The teacher called Harriet because she was a bit concerned. After all, it was a bit unusual for a child to say that.
But Harriet assured the teacher that this was just Kareem's way -- sincere and serious.
"He got an A on that assignment," Harriet said with a laugh.
McKenzie's devotion to academics almost prevented him from beginning the sport at which he'd later excel. He was a good basketball player and an even better student.
After a while, basketball was no longer fun for McKenzie and he quit.
"It became all about win, win, win and not fun," McKenzie said. "If something's not fun, why do it?"
So McKenzie set out to find something more enjoyable. Hayword suggested he start lifting weights to avoid turning into a "slob."
His friends, however, wanted him to test his size by playing football.
"They told me I should try it and were talking a lot of junk," McKenzie said, "like what they were going to do and what they weren't going to do. I was like 'OK, show me.' "
After enough trash talking, McKenzie was ready to display his athletic abilities and work ethic. Problem was, Harriet didn't want him play.
In one of his few acts of deception. McKenzie would sneak down the street to play football with the neighborhood kids. But just as any intuitive mother would, Harriet deduced that the holes and grass stains on his pants could only be from football.
"I didn't want him to play because football is very brutal," Harriet said. "But then I wanted him to play because he enjoys it."
But McKenzie soon found that not everyone had his dedication and drive. The team could never manage to win more than five games and McKenzie's teammates were lazy.
Again, McKenzie wanted to pursue something that was more fun. Ironically, the person opposed to his playing was the one who encouraged him to continue.
"I said, 'We're not gonna be quitters,' " Harriet said. "If that whole team sits down on that field, you still do your part."
McKenzie was glad that he followed his mother's advice. Colleges heavily recruited the talented lineman, but Penn State was the perfect fit.
In Happy Valley, McKenzie again excelled at academics. Despite long days of classes and grueling practices, he forced himself to study.
He also remembered his father's advice, something he always tried to live by.
"I told him to be strong, wise and don't lose your identity," Hayword said "And whatever you do, do it 100 percent."
McKenzie's all-out approach earned him preseason All-American accolades this year and a chance to be drafted. He had the chance to be drafted in 1999, but he decided to stay at Penn State and get his degree.
"Kareem, he knows what he wants," Hayword said "It was always his books. No matter what he does, won't take focus off education."
McKenzie also saw other players leaving early before receiving all the awards they possibly could. For the self-motivated player, he knew he still had honors to receive.
The management major is working toward a master's degree and is keeping his options open for a future career. After all, one option includes years of playing professional football.
"I had no trouble with Kareem because he takes care of it himself," Hayword said "Whatever he goes for he goes for 110 percent."
And because of that, he is a stable factor for those around him.
