Elijah McQueen
	Height	5-10
	Weight	180
	40-yard Dash	4.65
	Bench Press	265
	Squat	405
	Vertical Leap	36 inches

247sports: **
scout: **
rivals: **

Last Year Statistics

1 pass attempt
1 completion
191 carries
1,350 rushing yards (long: 80)
8 games rushing for 100 or more yards
19 rushing touchdowns
11 receptions
157 receiving yards
1 receiving touchdown
70 tackles (37 solo)
6 tackles for loss
3 sacks
2 fumbles forced
5 kickoff returns
145 yards (29.0 yards per return)

Strengths as a Player

How many times has a coach described a player as “a guy who just goes, non-stop”? In the case of Elijah McQueen, that description certainly applies … literally. The Terrell High School graduate is something of a football Swiss Army knife — he starred for the Tigers as a linebacker and running back, and played every special team except kickoff. On defense, he is extremely aggressive, enough so that opposing coaches said that if there was one person on the Terrell defense who concerned them, it was McQueen. Above and beyond his athletic ability, it likely will be his intellect and understanding of the defense that allows him to make the switch from high school linebacker to college safety.

Interviews

Terrell head coach Mike Shields on Elijah McQueen:

We didn’t bring Elijah off the field — that’s how much we need him out there. He makes the other guys better, because even if he’s not making the tackle or running with the ball, the other team is looking for him … because if you don’t, he’ll make you pay.

We used him mostly outside, where he’s a real threat coming off that edge. He used his speed and explosiveness, and does a nice job taking the right ankle. Our whole thing was to make the (opposing) quarterback make a decision quickly, because Elijah’s coming.

I know he’s not the biggest guy out there. He’s not 6-3. But he’s just a smart guy who’s in the right place and makes a lot of tackles.

SMU only has a few guys working at safety, so I’m really pleased that Elijah is coming in there in the spring, so he has a chance to learn the system and then maybe compete for time.

Elijah is a really good athlete. Even if he runs ‘only’ a 4.6 (in the 40), keep in mind that he’s one of those rare players who doesn’t get really slowed up when he puts on his uniform. He has a great ability to read the play and get there, and even if he does run a 4.6, he does it with football pads on.

Elijah McQueen on why he chose SMU:

The education, first of all — my talent helped bring me here, but the education was first. The education you get at SMU is tremendous, so prestigious. I want to play after college, but if I’m not in the NFL, there’s no better school to get an education. The alumni connections here are second to none, which will be important when it’s time to get a job.

Another thing was that it’s close to home. Terrell is pretty close, and my mom and I are really close. We have a bond so tight, it’s crazy — he’s my best friend, I’m her best friend.

I liked (recruiting visit host) Rodney (Clemons). He’s another one of the safeties, so we talked about the secondary, and what it’s like to play for Coach Loepp. (Clemons) explained to me that it’s not an easy task, playing for these coaches, and explained that if this is something I want to do, I have to work. He said the coaches will be hard on you, but that’s what makes you a better man and prepares you for life. Coach Morris says a lot that if all he does is make us better players, he has failed us. They have got to prepare us for life, to be better men, and I believe they will.

(Enrolling early) was my idea. I thought about it for a while, and started to think about my opportunities if I did enroll early. I talked to Coach Loepp about it, and he said that’s a great idea, that if it’s what I want to do, do it. My mom was expecting me to leave in May, so she was getting ready for May. But sometimes if you don’t hop on the horse, in a couple of months it will be gone. I just felt like I had to do it or miss out on the opportunity.