McDonald originally said he was going to play for the Gophers, and Coach Jerry Kill hopes he hears that again.
Andre McDonald, a 6-foot-3 senior wide receiver from Hopkins, will visit Minnesota next week. The wideout played in the last week’s Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, a first year event for many of the top high school gridiron standouts.
GopherHole.com caught up with McDonald for a Q&A after Hopkins’ basketball win over Sioux City East in the Timberwolves Shootout at the Target Center to learn the latest on his recruitment, playing in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and playing hoops for the defending state basketball champion Royals.
McDonald caught 60 passes for 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. He finished his career with 138 grabs for 2,699 yards and 39 touchdowns.
McDonald was named Associated Press All-State first team the past two years. He was a two-time All-Lake Conference and All-Metro selection.
Hopkins head coach John DenHartog feels that McDonald is one of the best players in Royal’s history.
“Andre’s skill set is something that doesn’t come along very often in high school football,” said DenHartog. “He has the unique ability to be big, fast and very quick. Andre is a great competitor who refuses to be tackled and believes he is going to score every time he touches the ball. Andre is also a great leader. He leads the team with his outstanding work ethic and competitive spirit. When teams take the field to play Hopkins that had to gear their game plan to take into account his unique abilities,”
McDonald committed to Minnesota in February, but decided to re-open recruitment. He committed to Vanderbilt after visiting the campus in early September. McDonald decided to make further college visits after Chris Beatty, the Vanderbilt wide receivers coach, took a job at Illinois.
GopherHole: What was the experience like playing in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl?
Andre McDonald: Parts of it were tough, like the Marines. The practices were tough, but it was fun getting to know all the new guys and seeing the talent around the country.
GopherHole: You had some Minnesota natives in the game. Did you get a chance to hang out with Phil (Nelson) and Maxx (Williams) much?
Andre McDonald: Oh, yeah. I hung out with them a little bit. Since we were on separate teams, we were separated a little, but we were hanging out at the hotel.
GopherHole: What is the latest with your recruitment? I know that Vanderbilt head coach and four of their assistants were at the Target Center to watch you play. That has to make you feel pretty good.
Andre McDonald: I am going to look at a couple other schools because my coach left there. I am going to look at Illinois, where he went. I am going to look at UCLA, Iowa and I am going to Minnesota next weekend.
GopherHole: What are you hoping to get out of that visit?
Andre McDonald: Just a better relationship. Build a relationship and just get to know the guys better.
GopherHole: You had committed to Minnesota and then de-committed, but left things on a good end. It isn’t going to be an issue to look back at them, is it?
Andre McDonald: No. Not at all. We still talk. We still communicate. They still express how important I was to them and how much they care about me.
GopherHole: Did Phil and Maxx try to work you over a little bit?
Andre McDonald: A little, but not really. They were just asking me what I was thinking and asked me what I wanted to do and what was best for me.
GopherHole: Do you have any other dates set up besides the Minnesota visit?
Andre McDonald: I am going to Iowa on the 21st after our game against St. Paul Johnson and the 27th, I am going to Illinois. I am setting up my UCLA visit now
GopherHole: Do you plan on taking all four visits before you decide?
Andre McDonald: I will take them all and then I will decide.
GopherHole: Do you think that you have gained some experience from this whole process and that now you can get more out of these visits than if you had made them in the fall?
Andre McDonald: Definitely. I know what to look for now. I didn’t take the time before to see what all I need to look for, but now I know.
GopherHole: I know that the wide receiver coach from Vanderbilt was at the Minnesota Mr. Football banquet and that you had a really close relationship with him. Was that difficult hearing that he was leaving to go to Illinois?
Andre McDonald: Yes, it was pretty difficult because he did not tell me until the day he left and flew up to Illinois. It was a heartbreaker for me.
GopherHole: How about basketball? Does it feel good to get back on the floor after missing two games due to the All-Star game practices? You played a very good team tonight and are playing extremely well right now.
Andre McDonald: I was missing it. I was missing it a lot.