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Guys, I caught up just a few minutes ago from one of UC's official visitors this past weekend, three-star cornerback De'Arre McDonald. First off, I'm gonna get into some back story you need to know here and how I think he'll end up with the Bearcats as a result.
There's been some rumors out there that McDonald wouldn't qualify at Ole MIss and that's why he decommitted last month. McDonald insists that isn't true. He said he basically didn't like the vibe he was getting there. But, here's also what's going on. McDonald said he found out at the end of his fall semester that he didn't receive full credit for a couple of classes he took as a sophomore. Apparently, there was some confusion on what he was taking and he received half credit. He told me he also will be retaking his ACT next month. He insists everything is good, that he's taking online courses to get the credit he needs and will graduate in May like normal. But I definitely think that's scared everyone off. I get the sense that UC might be the only real option here right now, unless something changes in the next week.
McDonald told me he's also looking at Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss. But when I asked who is pushing him to visit this weekend, he told me a few schools that had reached out since he decommitted last month, like Utah, Michigan State, Arkansas, Florida State and Memphis. I don't get the sense that any are concrete looks, though someone might get him on a visit this weekend.
His visit this past weekend to UC was his only official so far. And it sounds like a good visit. "I’m from Michigan and I’ve always crossed through Cincinnati to get home," McDonald told me. "But I’ve never been in it. For me to see everything, it was a blessing."
Assistant coach Mike Mickens has been the primary recruiter here. And it sounds like the Bearcats staff is confident enough in McDonald's situation to offer. This kid is an athlete. I've always been surprised Rivals doesn't have him higher. But that's to UC's benefit.
Interesting to see if McDonald goes anywhere this weekend. I can see it either way, him going, or not going anywhere. Right now, I think that bodes very well for UC, and I made a Future Cast as a result. But that could change tomorrow if someone pushes more. Follow this one close over the next week and a half.
Full story coming.
Guys, I caught up just a few minutes ago from one of UC's official visitors this past weekend, three-star cornerback De'Arre McDonald. First off, I'm gonna get into some back story you need to know here and how I think he'll end up with the Bearcats as a result.
There's been some rumors out there that McDonald wouldn't qualify at Ole MIss and that's why he decommitted last month. McDonald insists that isn't true. He said he basically didn't like the vibe he was getting there. But, here's also what's going on. McDonald said he found out at the end of his fall semester that he didn't receive full credit for a couple of classes he took as a sophomore. Apparently, there was some confusion on what he was taking and he received half credit. He told me he also will be retaking his ACT next month. He insists everything is good, that he's taking online courses to get the credit he needs and will graduate in May like normal. But I definitely think that's scared everyone off. I get the sense that UC might be the only real option here right now, unless something changes in the next week.
McDonald told me he's also looking at Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss. But when I asked who is pushing him to visit this weekend, he told me a few schools that had reached out since he decommitted last month, like Utah, Michigan State, Arkansas, Florida State and Memphis. I don't get the sense that any are concrete looks, though someone might get him on a visit this weekend.
His visit this past weekend to UC was his only official so far. And it sounds like a good visit. "I’m from Michigan and I’ve always crossed through Cincinnati to get home," McDonald told me. "But I’ve never been in it. For me to see everything, it was a blessing."
Assistant coach Mike Mickens has been the primary recruiter here. And it sounds like the Bearcats staff is confident enough in McDonald's situation to offer. This kid is an athlete. I've always been surprised Rivals doesn't have him higher. But that's to UC's benefit.
Interesting to see if McDonald goes anywhere this weekend. I can see it either way, him going, or not going anywhere. Right now, I think that bodes very well for UC, and I made a Future Cast as a result. But that could change tomorrow if someone pushes more. Follow this one close over the next week and a half.
Full story coming.
