(UHND.com) – Notre Dame picked up its seventh commitment of the 2007 recruiting class on Wednesday when Sherman Oaks, California native Anthony McDonald committed to the Irish during an unofficial visit for Notre Dame’s 10th practice of the spring. McDonald, the son of former USC standout Mike McDonald, is the second linebacker in the last week to commit to the Notre Dame.
McDonald, 6’3”, 220, 4.55, will be no stranger to wearing Blue and Gold next summer when he reports to Notre Dame after playing for Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks where last season he notched 101 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.
His performance last year was enough for McDonald to have offers in hand from Oregon, Boston College, Ole Miss, and Nebraska and was waiting on an offer from his father’s alma mater – USC before committing to Notre Dame on Wednesday.
For a junior in high school, McDonald has good size for the linebacker position at 220 pounds with the room for another 15 or 20 pounds which would be put him right around the 240 mark which should suit him well for one of the inside linebacker positions. From the eyeball test, McDonald looks like he could suit up this fall for the Irish if he had to. Still, he’ll need the additional weight to take on offensive guards in a 3-4 defense, but his certainly appears to have the type of frame to accommodate it.
On film he looks like a very good prospect with the ability to drop into coverage when needed and good fundamentals. He is a sound tackler and moves well with good closing speed. McDonald shows some good instincts and timing on the blitz and could be very effective blitzing from the inside linebacker spot for the Irish.
McDonald is the second linebacker commitment for the Irish in past week, joining David Posluszny who committed at the end of last week. Both linebackers are on Rivals.com’s 250 to Watch list and both appear to be likely four star prospects when Rivals and Scout release their rankings.
This latest commitment is also the third commitment on the defensive side of the ball for Notre Dame this year with McDonald joining Posluszny and defensive end Sean Cywnar.
Notre Dame is likely to take another two or three linebackers this year and Chicago native Darius Fleming very likely could be the next to commit. Fleming has been spending a lot of time at Notre Dame practices this Spring and could be the next to fall for the Irish on the defensive side of the ball.
