Junior Day Report: Tanner McKee

RELATED: Friday Night Lights/recruiting notes

Stanford hosted one of the nation's top quarterback prospects for the third time over the weekend. Southern California signal caller Tanner McKee, who previously visited The Farm for a camp two years ago and a trip last month, returned to Palo Alto to work out for Cardinal coaches and take in a Junior Day.

(McKee was actually on campus when Stanford held its quarterbacks camp last month, but a medical procedure prevented him from competing.)

Stanford has also sent coaches down to McKee's high school to recruit him.

"I've seen the coaches a few times come down to Centennial and I've obviously known about Stanford and how good they are academically and how they win the Pac-12," McKee said. "So I've always been interested. It's always been a dream school for me. We're trying to get up there as many times as possible and develop a good relationship with all of the coaches."

McKee's most recent trip began with the Cardinal's Junior Day. The junior signal caller took in a variety of campus activities alongside the other visiting recruits.

"Obviously getting to know the coaches (was a highlight)," McKee said. "I've talked to Coach Pritchard a few times, but having the whole day to be with him the whole time was really cool. Talking to all the professors about what's great about Stanford and the things that they have to offer and touring the amazing campus, it's really cool to take it all in."

The Cardinal then held its annual Friday Night Lights camp in Stanford Stadium on Friday evening.

"It was really cool because there were only two quarterbacks," McKee said. "It was me and another quarterback and Coach Pritchard the whole time. It was like on-one-one - he's telling you how to run (the) offense every time. You really get a feel of what Stanford's tempo is and how their quarterbacks (operate) while you're there, and talking to Coach Shaw, it's really cool."

All told, the opportunities Stanford provides on the field and in the classroom resonated strongly with McKee during his visit.

"Just everything Stanford has to offer academically, talking to the coaches, seeing how it prepares you for life - it's really amazing," McKee said. "And also the pro-style offense that they run will really set you up and prepare you to play in the NFL if you have that opportunity."

Stanford did receive a 2018 quarterback commitment from Alabama signal caller Jack West earlier this month - and it's highly unlikely they'll take another in 2018 with West on board. McKee, however, is LDS and plans to serve a two-year church mission after high school. That he would effectively be a 2020 recruit opens the door for a potential fit with the Cardinal.

"They're viewing me as (part of) the 2020 class," McKee said. "I talk to them all the time - my dad and Coach Pritchard call all the time. Coach Pete (Alamar) has come down since he's our recruiter. Coach Alamar was saying that he wants to see me play a game and we'll get farther from there. It's a lot fun to have the connections I have with these coaches."

"(A Stanford offer) would be huge. I've always loved Stanford. It's been a dream school for me. It's definitely going to be (in the) top schools for me, for sure."

McKee currently holds offers from BYU, Utah, Colorado and Hawaii. Texas A&M and Arizona are close to joining McKee's list.

McKee's family knows former Stanford (and NFL tight end) Greg Clark - McKee's father and Clark frequently speak.