18 OCT. 17, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED
BY PATRICK ENGEL
T
he idea was to seek out a chal-
lenge, because Javon McKinley
understood those are benefi-
cial. Even if they evoke short-
term qualms.
This particular academic one sure
did. McKinley, now a Notre Dame
fifth-year senior wide receiver, found
himself initially swimming upstream
when he enrolled in a Chinese class
as an undergrad.
"It was definitely a hard class, and
I wasn't sure I'd stay in it to the end,"
McKinley said.
McKinley has been a steady contributor for the Fighting Irish this year, but more so as a run blocker than a pass catcher. Pro Football Focus gave him a healthy
87.0 run-blocking grade in the first two games.
PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS
EMBRACING
A ROLE
Fifth-year senior wide receiver
Javon McKinley understands what he
needs to be for Notre Dame, even if
it's not what he once envisioned
