ASU offers McDonald

Over the past three seasons Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro has shown itself to be one of the premier programs in Arizona. The Sabercats have won three consecutive 4A1 state championships and have had over a dozen players sign with four-year universities.

Arizona State has benefited from the talent Saguaro has produced of late. Last season the Sun Devils signed three players from Saguaro. This year they have already offered standout offensive tackle Kody Innes, and today they offered defensive end Jordan McDonald

McDonald is latest standout defensive line prospect from Saguaro, joining other impressive recent performers Corey Adams, Chris Merrill, Justin Jungblut and Derek Bisgard, all of whom signed with four-year universities.

McDonald, who is participating in spring practice for Saguaro, recently picked up offers from New Mexico and Fresno State. After adding his first two offers and battling a 103 degree temperature, he easily could have taken the advice of his trainers and sat out of today's practice.

"The trainers told me that I could take it easy today and go home early," McDonald said. "I told them that ASU is coming so I am not going home. I told them I am going to play my heart out and do some damage. ASU's defensive coordinator, coach (Craig) Bray was out there and he watched our practice.

Later in the day, McDonald spoke with Bray by phone while at home, and the coach offered him a scholarship.

"I am excited, I am tired, and I really don't even know how I feel right now," McDonald said.

McDonald is originally from the Fresno area. He previously told ASUDevils.com that Fresno State and Arizona State were at the top of his list. After picking up offers from both schools nothing has changed in that regard.

"ASU is definitely one of my top schools," McDonald. "I also am very high on Fresno State as well. Pat Hill offered me a scholarship this week. I am also hearing from New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, UNLV and UTEP. I am just trying to figure this all out right now.

"I have gotten to meet Coach Pat Hill from Fresno State and he is like the nicest guy in the world. ASU is really close to home and I will have a lot of friends going there. I also really like the defensive line coach Grady Stretz in particular. He and pretty much the whole coaching staff seem like really fun guys that like to have a good time."

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has reported a time of 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He is planning to attend Arizona State's Maroon and Gold Camp, and compete with his teammates at Arizona State's Big Man Challenge. He is undecided about what other schools he may visit this summer.

Saguaro had more players sign letters of intent than any of the high school in Arizona last February but McDonald is confident that Saguaro still can win a fourth straight 4A1 state championship

"I believe that we will do really well next year," McDonald said. "Spring ball ends tomorrow for us. I can say right now that our offensive and defensive lines are going to be stacked."

McDonald totaled 33 tackles and three sacks last season, numbers that he believes he will easily exceed next season playing full-time.

"My personal goal for next year is to break the Saguaro individual sack record," McDonald said. "My defensive line coach (and former Sun Devil) Kyle Caldwell holds it but I can break it."

With three offers on the table and more to come, McDonald for now is going to remain patient in regards to his recruitment.

"I am still planning on waiting it out and taking my visits and making a decision after the season," McDonald said. "ASU told me that if I don't play my heart out that they will pull my offer. That is fine though; the way I look at it if I don't play my heart out than I don't deserve the offer."