As a true freshman while playing for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, in 2005, he worked his way into the starting lineup at wide receiver and also handled the punt return duties.

During his sophomore year in 2006, McKinley started all 13 games and recorded 51 receptions and 880 yards, which ranked second on the team behind Sidney Rice.

He had four 100-yard receiving games in 2007, including a school record 14 catch performance against Tennessee where he had a career-best 151 yards.

In 2008, McKinley entered his senior year as an All-America candidate that was in position to break every South Carolina school career receiving record.

[3][4] His death was reported as a suicide by local media, and later confirmed by members of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's office.

[5] A 131-page report was released by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department on December 1, 2010, concluding the investigation into McKinley's death.

Murdock was also highly touted going into college, eventually being signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent.