18 Days To K-State Football: Andre McDonald Player Preview

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

We are now just 18 days from kick-off of K-State football (and for those keeping track at home, I’m in my second day of a Finger Lakes, wine-induced delirium hoping that WordPress is properly putting up the posts I’ve scheduled). With 18 days left we look at jersey #18, worn by tight end Andre McDonald. McDonald mostly missed his junior year for disciplinary reasons, but brings loads of potential to the field and is looking to bounce back in a big way this year.

McDonald is an old school tight end, standing at 6’8″ and 280 pounds while not being afraid to mix it up in the trenches. He came to K-State from Choctaw, OK and committed before his senior year; keeping his commitment after the changeover from Ron Prince to Bill Snyder. After redshirting his first year on campus, he played in all thirteen games in 2010 with one start. He played in 12 games his sophomore years with starts against Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M.

In total, McDonald caught 14 passes for 212 yards his first two years with the team. His combination of size and hands set him up to be a solid contributor last year, but McDonald found himself in trouble with the law last year and suspended initially. He eventually saw time, but did not record any statistics in 2012 with tight end Travis Tannehill putting up 284 receiving yards last year.

Zach Trujillo and juco transfer Andre Jackson will be competing for the starting spot this year, but McDonald probably has the inside track on the job. With a new quarterback coming him, he’s versatile enough to be highly valuable no matter who wins the starting spot. With Jake Waters, he can be a valuable safety valve in what should be a pass-heavy attack (of course, it’s not like Daniel Sams won’t appreciate his receiving abilities). With Sams, however, McDonald can clear out defenders and open holes that Trujillo simply doesn’t have the size to create.

To my knowledge, McDonald has kept his nose clean the past year and shouldn’t be held back for disciplinary purposes. His size and ability create some serious mismatches that should help keep defensive coordinators up at night, and he looks seriously ready to step up his senior season.

To work backwards in our countdown, visit 19 days, where we look at the institutional problems leading up to the hiring of Bill Snyder.