2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Avontae McKoy, WR, York University

• Name: Avontae McKoy
• Position: WR
• College: York University
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 190 lbs
• X (Twitter): @cantguardtae1
• Instagram: @itstherealmckoy

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My older brother is the reason why I started playing football, he was very well known in the city and was one of the best players to ever come out of Toronto. He taught me everything I know about the sport and I’ve always implemented his game into my game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I’d say that I have many throughout my career, from high school winning city championships, provincial championships, team MVP, offensive MVP, and getting ranked as a top player in the nation. From my university career would have to be stepping onto the field and playing as a true freshman right away as a running back and a receiver leading our offence. Another one of my favorite moments from my football life was winning the Argo cup against our rivals the University of Toronto, was definitely a big win for our program.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I’m hoping to achieve my goals of becoming a professional football player and being the best player for any team willing to take a chance on me. My goal is to be the best and to help bring any team that I am on achieve their goals of winning.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

If I could hang out with any football player I think I’d choose Tom Brady. His career is a testament to longevity, consistency, and the mental toughness that is required to succeed at the highest level. His football IQ is out of this world and as a receiver to be able to understand a quarterbacks thoughts and reads will go along way in developing a good relationship with a quarterback. It would be fascinating to hear about his work ethic, how he’s managed to stay at the top for so many years, and his mindset during those high-pressure moments in the Super Bowl. Plus, I’d be curious to learn about his transition from player to businessman.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

I’d say that my mom is the one who inspires me the most. She has this incredible balance of strength and compassion that makes everything she does feel purposeful. Whether it’s her work ethic or the way she’s always there for family, she never gives up on anything she believes in. Her resilience and ability to handle challenges with grace have taught me so much about perseverance and kindness throughout my life. She is definitely the strongest person I know and is someone that I will always look to for anything.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

My favorite offensive scheme is the west coast style offence as it is a system that focuses on short and quick passes in order to control the ball, get the quarterback into a rhythm, and create mismatches. We implemented this scheme a bit into our offence this past season and we seen a lot of success from it. This is a scheme that I love because I base a lot of my game off of YAC(yards after catch). Making defenders miss in the open field is something that I specialize in.

What should we know about Avontae McKoy the person?

I’m someone who is always willing to put in the work in order to achieve my goals, I never shy away from a challenge. I am addicted to wanting to improve and be better person, a better athlete, and a better football player. I am somebody who never gives up no matter how difficult the challenge is.

What stands out about your film the most?

What stands out the most about my film would have to be my speed, my ability to make defenders miss after the catch and in the open field and also my ability to play on both sides of the ball if needed.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

In life you are always going to face challenges, you can either run from it or attack it head on, for me I attack it head on. Not everything is going to go your way in life and same goes for when you’re on the field, how you handle challenges defines you. On the field if you don’t get passes your way as a receiver you can’t complain about it you got to do what you can to help your team win, and same goes for life. Attack those challenges head on.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a player who is always ready to put in the work, a player who is constantly trying to learn and to get better and be coached. You’ll be getting a player who takes accountability, doesn’t make excuses and always goes at 100% no matter what. A team will get a player who wants to help his team win the big games in any way possible, whether it’s return kicks, catch passes out the backfield or take handoffs I am willing to do whatever to help my team win.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the X’s and O’s of the game, truly understanding the game is the one of the best abilities for a football player in my opinion. Such as understanding coverages and the best ways to beat that coverage. Football is a sport of tactical aggression. For how physical and aggressive the sport is, there’s a lot of X’s and O’s that go into this great game.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player that I’ve ever played with is Melchis Ilunga, he’s our starting running back and he is a name that needs to be out there. He’s a physical back with great elusiveness and is great at catching passes out of the backfield. He is a name that teams need to be looking out for next year.