No Room for DJ Donley ?????
No Room for DJ Donley ?????
In the midst of spring football practice a few weeks back, Charlton County head coach Rich McWhorter was beginning to get concerned about the distractions for his younger players in the form of college coaches watching practices on virtually a daily basis.
Figureheads Urban Meyer of Florida and Mark Richt from Georgia were standing on the sidelines to watch one particular player – athlete D.J. Donley. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder has drawn attention from every major program in the country.
Coach McWhorter has seen several athletes go through the rigorous recruiting process, but the attention Donley is receiving is even more hectic. So, in doing his job of putting the team first, but never limiting a prospect’s choices, he asked Donley to reduce his list of potentials schools to at least eliminate programs he had no desire to attend.
“No problem coach, I have narrowed my list to two schools,” Donley replied, surprising even his coach. “My top two choices are Florida and Notre Dame.”
The long-time coach has witnessed talented players such as Champ and Boss Bailey come through the area. To assure himself that he was not unintentionally pressing Donley into a knee-jerk reaction, McWhorter pursued his decision a little further.
Donley did not hesitate and he had clearly done his homework on each school.
“I like Florida because of the offense they run and Coach Meyer really has the team going in the right direction. Plus, the campus is just 90 miles from here,” said the versatile athlete who can play either wide receiver or safety on the next level.
“I like Notre Dame because the tradition is just unbelievable. I love the way they are using the wide receivers in the offense. I love playing physical football on offense.”
As a junior, Donley recorded 54 catches for 835 yards. Defensively, he added 51 tackles, one interception a fumble recovery.
“Everyone from here goes to either Georgia or Florida, but Notre Dame is different. It means something to say that you go to Notre Dame,” explained Donley.
McWhorter knows that Donley, who he says is an outstanding, hard-hitting safety, wants to play receiver in college.
“I decided to give Notre Dame a call and let them know that the letters they are sending D.J. are really having an impact on the kid,” said McWhorter about his next move following Donley narrowing his list.
He called an old friend who just happens to be a current assistant on Charlie Weis’ staff. Before telling BGI the story of his conversation, McWhorter wanted to preface it.
“Let me make one thing very clear. Contrary to what some have been reporting, Notre Dame has not offered D.J. a scholarship. They have shown interest, but that is as far as it has gone,” said McWhorter.
When speaking to his friend at Notre Dame, he was informed that there might not be room for Donley in the 2007 recruiting class.
“I was told that they might be all set for this class at the wide receiver position and they might not be offering D.J. a scholarship,” informed McWhorter.
Donley took the news in stride but was certainly disappointed. He took the news in stride and is working as hard as ever to prepare for his senior year and the opportunities that await him beyond that.
It must be assumed then that Donley is headed for Florida. More importantly for Irish fans, one gets the sense there is strong interest from their top choices at the wide receiver position. This picture will come into focus over the next several weeks, but the Irish staff appears to be happy where it stands in pursuit of receiver talent.
