KSU lands Oklahoma TE

Kansas State has dipped into another familiar territory for its latest commitment for the class of 2009.

Tight end Andre McDonald, a 6-foot-8, 280-pounder from Choctaw, Okla., committed to the Wildcats last week, but informed Rivals.com of his decision this evening. McDonald picked the Wildcats over an offer from Tulsa and heavy interest from New Mexico, TCU, Iowa State and Oklahoma State.

McDonald is the third Oklahoma prospect to commit to K-State.

"They showed great interest in me, and I felt really comfortable with all the coaches and the players," McDonald said. "I think I'm a perfect fit for them. I was up there at the camp, and they really ran me through the ropes. That's where they offered me a scholarship, and they thought I would be a good fit in their program."

McDonald said he flew under the recruiting radar mainly because he missed a major part of his junior season with an injury. That didn't stop K-State and Tulsa from offering. He said other schools indicated he would get an offer with more senior film to evaluate.

"I had an injury in the first game and then missed around six games," he said. "It started out as a deep tissue bruise in my thigh and then calcium deposits formed, so that kept me out. I only had two catches when I came back, but I was mainly used as a blocking tight end.

"But K-State really liked what they saw at camp. I run really well for a big guy. I have soft hands. I can block and I can also catch. I consider myself a versatile player."

But don't call him an offensive tackle at this point.

"I'm definitely a tight end," McDonald said with a chuckle. "I get asked that a lot."

Then again with that frame and build it's easy to see why some instantly think he's a future offensive tackle.

Either way, McDonald said there's no doubting he's a Wildcat.

"I was recruited by coach Tim McCarty," he said. "I absolutely loved him and the way he recruited me. He's a really good guy. He came down to the school and every time I see him he has a big smile on his face. I'm really excited to get to play for a coach that has so much excitement and energy like that."

McDonald is excited about his senior season. It starts in two weeks against Putnam City.

"I think this will be a big breakout year for me and for our team," he said. "We have a new coach, and we're really excited about the direction we're going."