Since he started at RCDS in Kindergarten, Michael McGhee ‘23 has always loved football. Following in the footsteps of his younger brother Raishaun McGhee, who played football at Harvard, McGhee has committed to Brown University after a very successful few years on the Rye Country Day Varsity football team. McGhee, who is the captain of the Football team, started on the varsity team on defense as a freshman. Although the Wildcats did not have a very successful season that year, McGhee got a lot of playing time and became used to playing at the varsity level. McGhee is also the captain of the Outdoor and Indoor Track teams. 

Unfortunately, McGhee’s sophomore season was canceled due to Covid-19. This did not stop him from training, the varsity football team still practiced as much as they could during the fall. Following a fall and winter season without real sports, McGhee got the chance to compete for the RCDS Varsity Track and Field team where his main event is the 100 meter. 

Then, the focus was on football, the recruiting process for McGhee started that spring when he attended the FBU Camp; there, he improved his skills at both running back and wide receiver. Throughout the offseason during his sophomore and junior years, McGhee attended camps at various colleges to compete and train with some of the best players in the country.

 McGhee, training throughout the summer as well, was ready for his big breakout year on the Wildcat Football team. Starting on both offense as a running back and a receiver and defense as an outside linebacker. McGhee’s season went very well, scoring multiple touchdowns for the Wildcats in several of their eight games, including a close game against Fieldston where he ran for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Due to his outstanding football season in which he won MIFL All-League First Team and All County Honorable Mention, McGhee got the attention of many college football teams during the offseason, receiving several Junior Day Invites, an invite-only day at colleges where athletes can tour the facilities and learn more about the program that the school has to offer. McGhee received invites from several schools, including Amherst College, Brown University, and Lafayette College, followed by his first D1 offer from Brown where he ultimately committed in early July. When asked about how the recruiting process went for him, McGhee said, “It was very successful, but also came as a surprise, I was very unclear about how it was going to go based off my junior season, but then I got my first few offers and everything came together.” 

McGhee also held offers from Cornell University, Columbia University, Bates College, and Middlebury College but chose Brown because he felt the school’s curriculum and sports program were the best fit for him. 

As well as being a well respected athlete at RCDS, McGhee’s father, Ray McGhee, has been working at the school since before his son was born. McGhee Sr. is Director of the Fitness Center at RCDS and conducts workouts and training programs for various RCDS teams. 

When asked what it is like to have his father working at school, McGhee said, “At times it can be awkward, but I just get used to it, it’s an everyday thing.” Although many might think that seeing your dad at school might be abnormal or awkward, McGhee has gotten used to having his dad around. 

Overall, McGhee’s hard work and determination have led him to having a very successful career in several aspects of his high school sports career. Finally, McGhee looks to lead the Wildcat football team through a successful playoffs and postseason in November.