'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[BGIF]

Davonte’ Neal’s college decision two weeks away - AG's Wildcat Report

by Anthony Gimino on Feb. 06, 2012

Arizona will have to wait two more weeks to find out about a big piece of unfinished recruiting business.
Wide receiver/defensive back Davonte’ Neal will announce his college choice on Feb. 21, his father, Luke, told **** Obert of the Arizona Republic.
Neal, a two-time Gatorade state Player of the Year and ranked as high as the eighth-best player in the nation (according to ESPNU), has taken official visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Arkansas and North Carolina. Neal is still considering visits (official or unofficial) to Oklahoma and Arizona.
Neal would be the centerpiece of coach Rich Rodriguez’s first recruiting class, which is ranked 44th from Rivals.com, 46th from Scout.com and 50th from 247Sports.
The Wildcats signed two of Neal’s teammates from Scottsdale Chaparral — defensive end Dylan Cozens and linebacker Cody Ippolito — and will have at least one more walk-on.

Here is the story from The Republic, our Gannett partner:
Scottsdale Chaparral WR/DB Davonte’ Neal will announce which college he will be attending on Feb. 21 at his Ahwatukee elementary school, Esperanza, his father Luke said today.
Luke Neal said he and his son hope to have the colleges down to three tonight. They will also discuss Arizona and Oklahoma some more.
Neal, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, a PARADE All-American, is nominated for the Ed Doherty Award, which will be handed out during a luncheon on Friday to the state’s best football player.
Scottsdale Saguaro RB D.J. Foster, who signed with Arizona State, also is nominated for the prestigous award.
Luke said he may drive his son to UA on Saturday for an unofficial visit.

 

[clashmore_mike]

LaPhonso Ellis too I believe

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Doug Gotlieb could have been on this list. If he didn't get kicked out of ND lol.

 

[irishog77]

Regis Philbin

 

[clashmore_mike]

Luke Neal favors Notre Dame and North Carolina out of the 4 finalists.

 

[fitz_bu47]

The OU guys on Rivals main board have not gotten the update that they are eliminated apparently. They seem very confident that he is theirs to lose and that he is visiting them this weekend.....I hope they are wrong on both accounts, if the visit doesn't happen, then I will be more confident in this race.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Also said they eliminated OSU because they didn't like how the Neal's were handling the recruitment. I would read that as Meyer tried an ultimatum that backfired.


http://notredame.247sports.com/Article/ATH-Davonte-Neal-is-set-to-choose-from-four-programs-60287

 

[ab2cmiller]

I think I have the best example of how being from ND can get you into sports broadcasting by asking one simple question.

How does Rocket Ismail become an announcer for Professional Bull Riding?

I think the answer is obvious... lol .... Notre Dame.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Dan Fouts and Doug Gottlieb (tee-hee).

EDIT: late on Doug.

 

[clashmore_mike]

The OU guys on Rivals main board have not gotten the update that they are eliminated apparently. They seem very confident that he is theirs to lose and that he is visiting them this weekend.....I hope they are wrong on both accounts, if the visit doesn't happen, then I will be more confident in this race.

Unless Luke is flat lying to Sapp, OU is out. He said they got into it too late and aren't an option.

 

[BGIF]

Neal hasn't taken an official to Arizona but he lives a 2 hr drive away. He doesn't need a an offical there.

 

[ColinKSU]

I thought Arizona would be one of the main competitors once OSU was eliminated. Up until recently he was going to take an official there. Does anyone know if he's ever taken an unofficial to Arizona?

If it's not Arizona, then it looks like Arkansas is probably our main competition.

It sounds like Neal was impressed by their sports journalism program at Arkansas. I guess he wants to go into sports broadcasting. But looking at a list of current sports broadcasters that attended ND, it doesn't take long to see that the exposure of ND in many cases is very helpful in getting into sports broadcasting.

Jerome Bettis
Steve Beuerlein
Tim Brown
Mike Golic
Aaron Taylor
Tom Thayer
????? Did I miss anyone else?

I'm guessing the Arkansas list probably isn't as impressive.

Frank Stams (starter on the '88 championship team) works for SportsTime Ohio covering MAC games and does a lot of local high school TV coverage in Northeast Ohio.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Luke Neal favors Notre Dame and North Carolina out of the 4 finalists.

UNC's AA 30y ROI is $528,428. ND offers more than 3x the degree value.

If the Neals are serious about academics, that's a fight we should be heavily favored to win.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Luke Neal favors Notre Dame and North Carolina out of the 4 finalists.

you paying for two premiums now or did you give up on ISD?

 

[clashmore_mike]

you paying for two premiums now or did you give up on ISD?

still on the 30 day free trial for 247. I'm leaning toward canceling ISD when the time comes to choose.

 

[goldandblue]

I think I have the best example of how being from ND can get you into sports broadcasting by asking one simple question.

How does Rocket Ismail become an announcer for Professional Bull Riding?

I think the answer is obvious... lol .... Notre Dame.

To give Rocket some credit, he does have bull riding experience....

CMT : Full Episodes : Celebrity Bull Riding 105 : The First Big Test

 

[ab2cmiller]

To give Rocket some credit, he does have bull riding experience....

CMT : Full Episodes : Celebrity Bull Riding 105 : The First Big Test

I realize that, I'm not saying he isn't qualified. I'm saying the only way that Rocket gets that gig is because he went to ND AND/OR played for the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Sadly Davonte's 15 year old cousin passed away this afternoon as a result of the accident. Thoughts and prayers go out to Davonte and his family.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Oh man. I thought she was doing better and was hoping she was on her road to recovery. Prayers go out to her family that God would comfort them in their time of loss.

 

[IrishNJ89]

My prayers go out to his family

 

[Cali_domer]

Dang so sad. Prayers go out to the family. R.I.P.

 

[IrishLax]

Sadly Davonte's 15 year old cousin passed away this afternoon as a result of the accident. Thoughts and prayers go out to Davonte and his family.

stuff like this puts the "serious business" of recruiting in perspective....

R.I.P.

 

[irishroo]

Frank Stams (starter on the '88 championship team) works for SportsTime Ohio covering MAC games and does a lot of local high school TV coverage in Northeast Ohio.

Ted Robinson
Hannah Storm
Digger Phelps (not a grad, but obviously major connections)
Austin Carr

 

[HawaiianIrish]

Davonte your Cousin is in the comfort of our Heavenly Father...

R.I.P.

 

[tadman95]

That's so sad. Prayers to the family.

 

[Grahambo]

 

[ohara831]

Thoughts and prayers out to the entire family. Such a tragedy. May the prayers the family receives help comfort them in their time of need and sorrow.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Prayers for the family. So sad to lose someone that young.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I can't even imagine. My prayers too.

 

[FLDomer]

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

R.I.P.