It’s the opportunity he’s waited his whole collegiate career for. It’s the one position he’s wanted so desperately to assume, the one goal he’s been working towards in his four years as a member of the San Diego State football team.

And now the one position he’s been denied throughout his years as an Aztec is within his grasp.

Ever since he was recruited by former SDSU head coach Al Luginbill as a senior at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Kevin McKechnie has thought about being the starting quarterback at SDSU.

However, in what would become a distinct pattern in his collegiate career, Mc- Kechnie, has never been the No. 1 quarterback.

That very first year he redshirted, watching starter David Lowery from the sidelines.

“It was hard not playing because in high school, I played three sports and was used to always being the guy out there,” McKechnie said. “I always tried to remain positive and keep the mentality that I if I go out there and play hard I’d get a chance, but it was never the case.”

The following season, he would go into spring drills with the opportunity to challenge for the position. But once again he came as a backup. This time behind Tim Guiterrez.

So he sat and waited his turn for yet another year.

Then midway through the next season, Guiterrez went down with a broken collarbone. It seemed the perfect opportunity for McKechnie to shine, but instead the call went to Billy Blanton.

Once again, McKechnie was on the outside looking in. He’d be the backup for Blanton for the next two seasons, seeing only limited action in mop-up duty.

“It was a little different backing up each of the quarterbacks I’ve backed up because each time there was a different offense,” McKechnie said. “I think I’ve picked up a few things from each of them as far as reads, and I think it’s helped me out.”

Once Blanton finished up his stellar career last season, the SDSU coaching staff began to search for his successor. It looked as if McKechnie might finally get his shot behind center.

However, it was at this point that the Aztecs began their quest for highly touted Grossmont Junior College quarterback Akili Smith.

“That wasn’t too big of a deal; I have sort of gotten used to it,” McKechnie said. “I invite the competition.”

Just when it seemed Smith would be doning the Red and Black and throwing deep over the middle to Az-zahir Hakim, he announced he’d be packing his bags and heading to the University of Oregon.

The door was open, yet again, for Mc Kechnie.

But this time there was no David Lowery, no Tim Guiterrez, no Billy Blanton and no Akili Smith standing there waiting to close it on him.

He’s finally heard the words he’s wanted to hear all along: “The job is yours to lose.”

With those words the senior quarterback entered spring drills as the man his teammates will rely on next season.

“I think he’s starting to get more comfortable in the position as a starter,” cornerback James Heggins said. “He’s handled the transition well, and he definitely has some big shoes to fill.”

Now it’s McKechnie who’s under center for the majority of snaps in practice. It’s McKechnie who must follow in the footsteps of a great quarterback.

“I think Kevin’s going to be all right,” starting left offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam said. “He’s going to mature, and he’s going to be a good quarterback.”

Now McKechnie must adapt to the distinct style of the third offensive coordinator and system he’s been taught since he’s been here.

He’s made the journey from Al Luginbill to Tom Craft to finally Dave Lay.

Versatility and perseverance has indeed been the key to McKechnie’s success as a quarterback at SDSU.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, McKechnie possesses all the physical skills needed to be a productive Division I quarterback. In fact, it may be safe to say that he has more strength and athletic ability than some of the past Aztec quarterbacks.

However, right now it is only spring, and nothing has been proven yet. Time will tell if McKechnie will follow in the long line of productive SDSU quarterbacks.

For now at least, Kevin McKechnie is in the place he’s always wanted to be. A position he hopes he’ll hold on to next fall when freshman quarterback Spencer Brinton, the next man at the door, enrolls at Montezuma Mesa.

For now, McKechnie has finally crept out from behind everyone else’s shadow to create one of his own.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for four years,” McKechnie said. “I think that I’ve been patient … so hopefully it will finally pay off.”