McDonald to reassess Gophers this weekend

If the Gophers are going to lure Andre McDonald back into the fold, this weekend is crucial.
The Hopkins receiver, one of the most highly sought recruits in Minnesota this year, has declared himself uncommitted once again, according to Gopher Illustrated, a rivals.com website that tracks Minnesota recruiting. And McDonald, who initially chose the Gophers in February before backing away to consider more options, will make his official visit to campus beginning Friday.
McDonald, who caught 36 touchdown passes for the Royals during his junior and senior seasons, surprised many recruiting experts by choosing Vanderbilt in September. But when receivers coach Chris Beatty, who led the recruiting of McDonald, left the Commodores' staff to join new coach Tim Beckman at Illinois, McDonald had second thoughts, GI.com reported.
Now the 6-foot-3, 200-pound McDonald is considering both Illinois and Vanderbilt, he told the website -- but also Minnesota, Iowa and UCLA. He'll visit Champaign, Ill., at the end of the month, just days before recruits can begin signing formal letters of intent on Feb. 1, and hopes to visit Los Angeles as well.