Andre McDonald Makes a Golden In-State Decision!!! UPDATED w/ extensive Q&A!

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And This just made the ESPNU bottom line, in there recruiting thing.
 

The future is bright on Offense:

QB: Philip Nelson
WR: Andre McDonald
WR: Jamel Harbison
TE: Maxx Williams
LT: Jonah Pirsig
G/C: Issac Hayes

Not bad for one class.
 


Not so fast...

Andre doesn't know it, but as soon as he gets home he's got an offer letter waiting for him he just can't refuse...

Or can he?
wmu-logo2.jpg
 

Unbelievable. I still won't believe until February 1. No way he redshirts. I think Kill has assured him of that. With Jones, Crawford-Tufts, Fruechte, Harbison, and Trucilla, we suddenly have a very good group of young WR. Add in Green, Engle, and Moulton, and I'd say the demise of the Gopher receiver corps was greatly exaggerated.
 


I'm more excited for this upcoming season than I have been in a while.
 






highwayman said:
Unbelievable. I still won't believe until February 1. No way he redshirts. I think Kill has assured him of that. With Jones, Crawford-Tufts, Fruechte, Harbison, and Trucilla, we suddenly have a very good group of young WR. Add in Green, Engle, and Moulton, and I'd say the demise of the Gopher receiver corps was greatly exaggerated.
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Not to be nitpicky, but most people were talking about how thin our WR corps was last year around signing day. All but 1 (Green) of the guys you've mentioned are new to our squad this season or last year.
 

I'm excited to see what he will do in 2-3 years. It's difficult for true freshmen to come in and make a big impact (leading frosh receiver in the conference last year was Kenny Bell, redshirt freshman, with 461 yards and 3 TDs). If Andre can catch 15-20 balls, get 100-200 yards, and have a couple touchdowns next year, it will be a success IMO.
 


First good news regarding recruiting in a long time, it's great that Andre decided to stay home and attempt to build something here rather than attempt to build something at Vandy or UCLA. Have to give Jerry Kill and his staff credit for doing an excellent job in state this year.
 




This is great news for the program. I was bumming when he de-committed because I think he's the most talented kid in the state by a lot. I wasn't happy about Johnson going elsewhere, but I never really saw it in him anywhere close to as much as Andre (not saying I wouldn't still take him).

Andre reminds me a lot of Michael Floyd. I think Floyd is a tad better at the art of being a WR (body position, timing, routes), but they are somewhat similar in terms of size, I think McDonald is a touch quicker (runs a bit more like a RB) and they both have tremendous hands.

Welcome aboard Andre and nice work Phil and Maxx (who should probably get the credit as recruiter).
 

Sweetness. I half figured he'd be choosing us because he was doing it live on the 6 PM news, but one never can tell in the media age.

Glad he took his time and glad he chose us. Here's to a stellar athletic and academic career for him.
 

Great news!
Now, what other surprises await us? And how many spots remain open? (Will Johnson, second thoughts?)

Go Gophers!!
 

I wonder if he'll put "Dre McDonald" on the back? Who cares, as long as it's Maroon & Gold!
 

DL65 said:
Great news!
Now, what other surprises await us? And how many spots remain open? (Will Johnson, second thoughs?)

Go Gophers!!
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Yeah, it's so hard to know exactly where we sit at this time of the year. I'm sure we'd still take Johnson, but I think Lauer probably is thought of to have been in that spot (I really think they projected Johnson as a T). They'd obviously still take him, but I think that them offering Lauer might be a tiny clue that Johnson hasn't expressed interest.

For me, if we keep everyone (including Hinojosa and Harbison), I think we have a nice class. If Hinojosa decides to go elsewhere, maybe we look at another DT (Harden maybe?), and maybe we add another LB (Clax or possibly Michaelson?).
 

The unsung hero in all of this--the credit for this must go to------drumroll------the California weather. It was rainy and lousy last weekend in LA. Hats off to thee.
 

When he decommitted from us, he was villified by some posters. I guess he's OK now.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
Yeah, it's so hard to know exactly where we sit at this time of the year. I'm sure we'd still take Johnson, but I think Lauer probably is thought of to have been in that spot (I really think they projected Johnson as a T). They'd obviously still take him, but I think that them offering Lauer might be a tiny clue that Johnson hasn't expressed interest.

For me, if we keep everyone (including Hinojosa and Harbison), I think we have a nice class. If Hinojosa decides to go elsewhere, maybe we look at another DT (Harden maybe?), and maybe we add another LB (Clax or possibly Michaelson?).
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Thanks! And all good points. The final week of recruiting is always exciting . . . kinda like awaiting the results of one's finals in school. Nah, it's more fun!!

Go Gophers!!
 

GopherVotary said:
When he decommitted from us, he was villified by some posters. I guess he's OK now.
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That's how it is in every sport in the world. Free Agents are usually hated in places they left and loved in the places they are arriving. It's the same thing with coaches.
 

DL65 said:
Thanks! And all good points. The final week of recruiting is always exciting . . . kinda like awaiting the results of one's finals in school. Nah, it's more fun!!

Go Gophers!![/QUOTE

That's exactly how it is. You put the work in, you have a rough idea of how you're doing, but you have to wait and see until the grades are posted.
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Welcome home, Andre. You made the right choice. Looking forward to watching you play at the U.

How 'bout Coach Kill's job of closing down the border! Well done, Coach.
 

McDonald and Harbison seem to be a perfect pair at WR. If Philip Nelson ends up as good as we all think, this could be the best passing offense in a looooong time.
 

Holy Cow! I can't believe it!

I was checking all day, and when I got home from work and checked GH I thought to myself we lost.

We will have fun watching all these home kids & this class make Gopher history.

It looks like we are going to have Killer Q-Stew served!
 

What a terrific in-state haul for Kill. Things are looking great!
 

MadtownGopher said:
McDonald and Harbison seem to be a perfect pair at WR. If Philip Nelson ends up as good as we all think, this could be the best passing offense in a looooong time.
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Obviously it is way too early to be able to tell how any of these guys are going to be (even DCT), but:
QB: Nelson
RB: R. Williams
WR: DCT
WR: McDonald
Slot: Harbison
TE: Maxx Williams
OT: Pirsig
OG: Olson
C: Hayes
OG: Gjere
OT: F. Bush

Sounds pretty good in a few years....
 


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