'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[johnnykillz]

That's me man

He meant the slightly big-boned-ed fella, with the ability to destroy most normal men.

He's such a prickhead.

 

[ThePiombino]

why not?

Because nothing says a kid has to sign a LOI on that day.

 

[BeauBenken]

why not?

He didn't want to take (that kind of) time out of his football season for recruiting.

 

[RuntheBall]

One question on the timeline:

It may have been asked/answered before, but:

If he has already made up his mind ( as per some reports), why doesn't he announce soon (rather than next Tuesday).
I mean he has already taken all of his visits, everyone else has signed LOI's, there is no reason to postpone the announcement now, right? I read someone said he plans to announce on his mom's birthday, but I'd assume she already knows (if he decided).

Plus, I wish he would decide so I could stop checking this thread, its killing me.

 

[ThePiombino]

One question on the timeline:

It may have been asked/answered before, but:

If he has already made up his mind ( as per some reports), why doesn't he announce soon (rather than next Tuesday).
I mean he has already taken all of his visits, everyone else has signed LOI's, there is no reason to postpone the announcement now, right? I read someone said he plans to announce on his mom's birthday, but I'd assume she already knows (if he decided).

Plus, I wish he would decide so I could stop checking this thread, its killing me.

The family set a timeline. They're sticking to it. What's wrong with that?

 

[greyhammer90]

When i think of players that waited till after NSD, Seanthrell Henderson and Bryce Brown come to mind.....jus' sayin'

I would totally agree with you if he was handling it like those two did. But he and his family are not. They are being really classy with this decision. As far as people saying "if he knows now why doesn't he just commit?" Just a possibility: Perhaps he made the promise to the local news station that he would commit on this day so they could air it and the school could maybe throw him a party and doesn't want to renege on the agreement (or getting out of high school for a few hours)? Besides in reality he has already committed. He let the coaches who recruited him know what his decision was. The school that is planning on getting him gets to prepare for his arrival, and the other schools get to move on. That's classy of him because he could have left the coaches to hang. So in reality the only people who are left out to dry are weirdos who follow recruiting (us), and if I know one thing for sure, it's that he doesn't owe us anything.

 

[NDPhilly]

maby he has a test on monday?

 

[RuntheBall]

I would totally agree with you if he was handling it like those two did. But he and his family are not. They are being really classy with this decision. As far as people saying "if he knows now why doesn't he just commit?" Just a possibility: Perhaps he made the promise to the local news station that he would commit on this day so they could air it and the school could maybe throw him a party and doesn't want to renege on the agreement (or getting out of high school for a few hours)? Besides in reality he has already committed. He let the coaches who recruited him know what his decision was. The school that is planning on getting him gets to prepare for his arrival, and the other schools get to move on. That's classy of him because he could have left the coaches to hang. So in reality the only people who are left out to dry are weirdos who follow recruiting (us), and if I know one thing for sure, it's that he doesn't owe us anything.

The news station/ school announcement thing makes sense to me. Thanks!

Note: Sorry if I made it sound I was complaining, I really not. Just wondering why he would postpone, but I guess I misunderstood earlier posts. I thought it was really just a rumor he had chosen, and hadn't really let anyone know yet- sounds like that is wrong. Thanks for the correction.

 

[clashmore_mike]

The elementary school he is announcing at is closed on Monday due to presidents day.

 

[cody1smith]

I guess i was unaware that the coaches already knew where he was going? When did this come out?

 

[phork]

Everyone believed he was OSU bound, but that plan crashed and burned.

 

[NDinFL]

why is this kid going past NSD to make his decision....?? sorry if this has been answered before. But if the above comment is true, couldnt have all this been done before NSD? Why is it so important for this recruit to take so long?

i know there has been tragedy in this recruits life, but from as far as I know it was known before the tragedy took place that Davonte was going to announce after NSD.

I believe Beau touched on this already.

His football team made the post season, and went to the state championship game.

Therefore pushing his recruiting back.

Most other recruits seasons had ended before that point.

Davonte did not want recruiting to interfere with his high school team's post season.

 

[IrishLax]

Retracting what I said 12 hours earlier... switching my vote to ND. Sad that I will now actually be disappointed if he doesn't pick us next Tuesday.

 

[Kansas Irish]

The elementary school he is announcing at is closed on Monday due to presidents day.

...or it's his mother's birthday.

Recruiting Notebook

 

[clashmore_mike]

...or it's his mother's birthday.

Recruiting Notebook

His mother's birthday is the day he originally wanted to announce. He can't do it at that school with everyone there, so he's doing it Tuesday.

 

[SoJerseyIrish]

I would totally agree with you if he was handling it like those two did. But he and his family are not. They are being really classy with this decision. As far as people saying "if he knows now why doesn't he just commit?" Just a possibility: Perhaps he made the promise to the local news station that he would commit on this day so they could air it and the school could maybe throw him a party and doesn't want to renege on the agreement (or getting out of high school for a few hours)? Besides in reality he has already committed. He let the coaches who recruited him know what his decision was. The school that is planning on getting him gets to prepare for his arrival, and the other schools get to move on. That's classy of him because he could have left the coaches to hang. So in reality the only people who are left out to dry are weirdos who follow recruiting (us), and if I know one thing for sure, it's that he doesn't owe us anything.

SBT seems to disagree that anyone, even the school he commits to, know at this point.

"Luke Neal said his son would know his decision by Thursday but that the announcement wouldn’t come until 11:30 a.m. (Eastern) Tuesday at his son’s elementary school. He also said that Davonte’ will not tell any of the colleges recruiting him his final decision until Tuesday."

 

[Grahambo]

That contradicts or vice versa of what the guy at the AZ newspaper. He said the school already knows.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I wish this would just be over already.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Just a theory cuz I'm bored:

Mom wants him to stay close to home, no?
He's announcing on his mom's bday, no?
What better present to give his mom than to announce that he's attending UA and staying close to home?

Unless in this time frame, father and son have convinced his mother that his future will be set for his lifetime if he picks ND and she sacrifices those 4 years of him being away...

Then what better present to give his mom than to announce his forty year decision for ND?

(insert prayer pic)

 

[JughedJones]

That contradicts or vice versa of what the guy at the AZ newspaper. He said the school already knows.

To be fair, that was just a terribly written blog.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I would be very surprised if he stayed home or picked Arkansas, personally. I think it is either UNC or ND, and I continue to like our chances based on academics, playing time, national exposure, and the way the staff handled the recruitment.

 

[greyhammer90]

To be fair, that was just a terribly written blog.

I just read what's posted here. The AZ source said the school already knows, so I'm going to go with that.

 

[Emcee77]

To be fair, that was just a terribly written blog.

I just read what's posted here. The AZ source said the school already knows, so I'm going to go with that.

To me it wasn't clear what the AZ writer was saying. This was his opening:

Some college coach out there knows Scottsdale Chaparral receiver/cornerback/kick returner Davonte' Neal is coming his way this summer. The letter of intent is on the way to the Neals. But his father is trying to keep it quiet. He said he informed the coach not to leak it.

So the Neals had to ask a college coach for an LOI? If that means anything it means that he is going to Arizona. Based on this Biggins story from Feb. 2, the Neals already have LOIs from ND, UNC and Arkansas (as well as OU, which has been eliminated).

The Sooners call to make sure Neal received their letter of intent, one of three letters of intent sitting on Neal's kitchen table, along with those from Notre Dame and North Carolina. The Razorbacks let Neal know they'll be sending out his letter of intent later in the week and would be thrilled if he just wants to sign now and end the process early.

Davonte Neal calmly watches signing day pass - ESPN

I'm not going to read too much into the AZ writer's opening though. It could be that the reporter misunderstood what Neal was saying, misunderstood how the commitment/LOI process works and/or was just trying to come up with a catchy opening.

 

[IrishLax]

I would be very surprised if he stayed home or picked Arkansas, personally. I think it is either UNC or ND, and I continue to like our chances based on academics, playing time, national exposure, and the way the staff handled the recruitment.

That was my original impression but I'm starting to think there's a bit more of a chance of him staying home than anticipated. If I was a bookie, I'd put my odds at something like ND 35% UNC 30% Arizona 30% Arkansas 5%. I just don't think anyone knows and all of the sites out there are putting their own spin on stuff.

ND: Made a strong pitch stressing both academics and football, first OV with no other OVs standing out to Neal more, best long-term decision.
UNC: Grandmother proximity, strong Meyer-esque football-first pitch.
Arizona: HS coaches and friends.

I'm personally just thrilled to have an even-odds chance to land another high 4 player who will be a HUGE asset in the return game from day 1 and then have all-american potential at two different positions of need/low depth.

 

[Domina Nostra]

On reconsideration, I'd say that the fact that his cousin's death impacted his recruitment so profoundly makes predictions pretty futile. It makes everything intensely personal. And it certainly makes Arizona seem like a real possibility, even if it wasn't at the top before.

I am switching my ND pick to "no clue whatsoever," but I think ND handled his recruitment about as well as they could have.

 

[IrishLax]

The fact that his cousin's death impacted his recruitment so profoundly makes prediction pretty futile. It certainly does make Arizona seem like a real possibility, even if it wasn't at the top before.

I am switching my ND pick to "no clue whatsoever."

And the flip side to that is ND coaches were the first (and initially only) coaches to reach out with any condolences. I can't agree more with your last sentence. I don't think anyone really knows what's going to happen here except that Arkansas likely has the lowest probability. UNC people say UNC vs. ND, Arizona people say UA vs. ND, Ohio State people said OSU vs. ND.......... just gotta cross those fingers. He'd be such a perfect fit here.

 

[BestBIrish47]

I wish this would just be over already.

That is what she said..... And the Dark Horse stuff makes me nervous. If Luke considers us the dark horse, and Devonte made his decision where does that leave us? It is is either really good, or real bad IMO.

 

[Domina Nostra]

And the flip side to that is ND coaches were the first (and initially only) coaches to reach out with any condolences. I can't agree more with your last sentence. I don't think anyone really knows what's going to happen here except that Arkansas likely has the lowest probability. UNC people say UNC vs. ND, Arizona people say UA vs. ND, Ohio State people said OSU vs. ND.......... just gotta cross those fingers. He'd be such a perfect fit here.

I agree on Arkansas, and I'm still very hopeful because I think we handled the recruitment with so much class.

 

[FLDomer]

this may be old news but heres what I just read...kinda depressed now lol.

Davonte Neal Potentially Favoring Arizona Wildcats? - SB Nation Arizona

 

[phork]

Sit back and enjoy the show fellas.