8/15/2005 football Edit

McNeil chooses Irish

Mike Farrell

Recruiting Analyst

Mocksville (N.C.) Davie County cornerback Raeshon McNeil said from the beginning of the recruiting process that his family preference is to get out of state and get the best education and football experience he can get. On Monday, live on ESPNews, McNeil made his choice and feels that Notre Dame is the place that offers the complete package.

"Notre Dame had everything I was looking for," said McNeil, a 6-foot-0, 175-pounder who chose the Irish over offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and others. "Academics are very important to me and they have my major. I want to major in Architecture and Engineering and getting a degree from Notre Dame sets you up for success.

"On the football side of things, I really like the coaches and I believe that Notre Dame is going in the right direction. Coach Weis was above board on everything he did in recruiting. He showed up at my school but didn't talk to me and they followed everything the way the rules say to. The cornerback situation is good for me there also because they want taller guys and I liked the area when I visited."

McNeil boasts a 4.1 GPA and scored 1,100 on the old SAT. On the football field, the four-star cornerback had five interceptions and 60 tackles as a junior and also stood out on special teams. The success that coach Weis has had in football was a factor.

"I got to try on one of his Super Bowl rings," he said. "It was heavy and loaded with diamonds. I want one of those someday. Coach Weis knows what it takes to get to the next level so I'm looking forward to playing for him."

Was Nore Dame the choice all along?

"Since my visit they have been," he said. "I liked Virginia and Virginia Tech and my friends all wanted me to take a closer look at North Carolina, but I kind of knew. I just wanted to take my time and make sure it was the right decision."

McNeil is the 12th commitment to Notre Dame but the first in the defensive backfield. Notre Dame wants at least one more cornerback, with five-star Darrin Walls at the top of their list.