The nation's last big football recruit from the Class of 2012,
Davonte Neal, was scheduled to make his college choice this morning.
It didn't happen.
Davonte Neal is a game-breaker.
Photo by Chris Pondy
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver/defensive back from
Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) was supposed to show up Tuesday morning at Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary School, the school he attended as a youth.
Kids from the school, administrators and reporters were all waiting, but evidently Neal and his father Luke Neal are still undecided. After 30 minutes of delays, the school's principal Cheryl Greene sent the kids back to class and reporters were left without a story.
At least the one cementing Neal's plans to college, that is. Neal simply didn't show.
The nation's
No. 67 recruit overall was reportedly picking from four finalists: Notre Dame, Arizona, North Carolina and Arkansas. Reports have filtered that Stanford might have entered the mix.
On
the field, Neal rarely hesitated - unless it was to set up a
block or deke a quarterback into throwing a ball in his direction. The
Chaparral athlete is very decisive and fast otherwise.
But regarding the matter of committing to a college, Neal definitely has taken his time.
The
two-time Gatorade Arizona State Player of the Year took an
official visit to Arizona for Feb. 11, well after
most signed on National Signing Day (Feb. 1).
Neal is a playmaker supreme. He was
named a first-team All-American defensive back by MaxPreps while surpassing the 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving with 35 total touchdowns.
If Neal announces later today - or anytime in the future - we'll update this story.
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona
Republic and current Ahwatukee Foothill News staff writer, is a 15-year sports
writing veteran. Contact him at
jskoda1024@aol.com
or 480-272-2449.
