Davonte' Neal of Scottsdale Chaparral will be running with Notre Dame next season. Photo by David Wallace/The Arizona Republic
After much drama and a curious delay, Scottsdale Chaparral High School athlete Davonte’ Neal has picked Notre Dame over Arizona.
Neal finally ended a recruitment that extended nearly three weeks past Signing Day and about four hours after a planned press conference Tuesday morning.
His signing would have given Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez a centerpiece for his first recruiting class with the Wildcats. Neal also was considering Arkansas and North Carolina.
He made the announcement at Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary School, where he was a no-show for an earlier assembly in which media and 600 school children had gathered for a 35-minute program leading up to his school declaration.
Neal, a receiver/cornerback from Scottsdale Chaparral High School, is a Parade All-American and a two-time Gatorade state player of the year.
He caught 62 passes for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, also rushing 100 times for 1,317 yards and 16 touchdowns. He broke up 12 passes on defense and was noted as a standout kick returner.
Earlier Tuesday: Is Davonte’ Neal worth the headache?