OL Zakk McKeehan joins Georgia Tech from Louisiana

August 4, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson watches over the first the first day of Georgia Tech football practice at Rose Bowl Field in Georgia Tech campus on Friday, August 4, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

August 4, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson watches over the first the first day of Georgia Tech football practice at Rose Bowl Field in Georgia Tech campus on Friday, August 4, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

One reason that Georgia Tech likes to recruit defensive linemen to play on the offensive line is that they typically have already demonstrated the ability to play with leverage, a critical skill for the Yellow Jackets.

Tech coaches think they have another such prospect in Zakk McKeehan from St. Francisville, La., who signed his letter of intent with Tech on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. McKeehan announced his commitment Tuesday.

McKeehan, 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, had been committed to Louisiana-Monroe. He was a two-way lineman for West Feliciania High, which McKeehan helped lead to its first-ever state championship this season.

“He’s a guy that’s very physical,” offensive line coach Mike Sewak said of McKeehan on the team’s online broadcast of the signing day. “He can run, he can bend, he’s very flexible, he’s tough.”

A bonus for Tech is that McKeehan, a three-star prospect (247 Sports composite) played in an option offense at West Feliciana.

“We think that he can get to the second level and do some things,” coach Paul Johnson said. “We’re excited about Zakk. He’s got good feet and he played a lot of defensive tackle.”