Temple University Athletics
LACEY, MCKIE AND JACKSON INK FREE-AGENT DEALS
4.24.02 | Football
Brock and McKie will be joined at the Eagles' first mini camp by another familiar face. Carlos Johnson, a wide receiver at Temple from 1998-99 before transferring to Valdosta (Ga.) State was also one of the Birds' rookie signees.
A fourth-year senior in 2001, Lacey was a four-year starter and a member of Bobby Wallace's first recruiting class at Temple. The Pottstown, Pa. native was believed to be the only "three-way" player in Division I-A football last season, playing on offense, defense and special teams in six of the Owls' first seven contests. He contributed at defensive back, wide receiver and on punt and kickoff coverage units to average 75.4 snaps per game during that stretch. Lacey started both ways at Boston College, at wide receiver and cornerback and participated in the 2001 Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic with Brock. Twice cited in his career as the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Lacey ranks fourth in all-time solo tackles at Temple with 215 (299 total) and seventh in interceptions with 10. He played in 43 career games, making 40 consecutive starts to end his tenure in Owl Country. Lacey is the cousin of Jacksonville Jaguars' all-time interception leader Aaron Beasley.
McKie was also a member of Bobby Wallace's first recruiting class at Temple in 1998. A fourth-year senior in 2001, the Navarre, Fla. native played in 43 career games and made 25 starts. McKie had 169 career carries for 695 yards (4.1 avg.) and eight touchdowns. In the Owls' 2001 season opener versus Navy, he had a career day, carrying 11 times for 120 yards and a score, including an 80-yard touchdown run. A two-time All-Big East Conference academic honoree, McKie is the third cousin of current Philadelphia 76er Aaron McKie.
Jackson arrived at Temple in 2000 after spending two seasons at North Carolina State. In two years in Cherry & White, he played 22 games and made six starts. A bruising blocker, Jackson carried 36 times for 174 yards (4.8 avg.) and one touchdown in two seasons.
