McDonald waits patiently
The 2007 recruiting class pretty much answered any questions that may have been present with depth on the defensive line. However, the ASU staff will not rule out signing other similar prospects in 2008 if they are too good to pass up.
For 6-foot-2, 259-pound tackle Dennis McDonald from Cape Fear High School (Fayetteville, N.C.), his goal is exactly that � prove to the ASU staff and other programs that he is a player they shouldn't disregard.
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"I've just gotten a little attention from some schools, but not as much as I want," McDonald said. "I'm trying to put my name out there and get coaches to come watch me play and see what I can do. Some schools have sent me some letters but I'm not hearing much yet.
"We've got a new coach at my high school, so I'm basically having to go out and do everything on my own as far as getting my name out. I went to a camp at ECU and I may be going to one at Wake Forest. I went to the Rivals.com Junior Day to try to get my name out, too."
At the present time, McDonald, who played on the offensive line last season and will be starting at defensive tackle for the first time in '08, said there are several schools he hopes to gain interest from.
"I'm hoping schools like Appalachian State, N.C. A&T, Western Carolina, East Carolina and maybe N.C. State will give me a look. I think any of those schools would be a good place to play."
Despite the mentioning of the other in-state programs, McDonald has a higher level of curiosity of the Mountaineers and its program than the rest.
"I live about 40 minutes from where Kevin Richardson played high school football, so I watched him all of the time," he said. "I'm pretty familiar with him and I know he is a great player. Knowing what kind of player he is, I think I would fit well at Appalachian State.
"They have a go get'em attitude on offense and defense and I like that a lot. It's important to play for a team where everybody plays together and there is no selfishness going around."
McDonald bench presses 335 pounds, cleans 250 and squats 410.