Matt Cotcher
Under Contract
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2014
- Messages
- 4,968
submitted Today, 11:06 AM in Texas Longhorns Football By Matt Cotcher
Fi-nes-sin’ - /fəˈnes sin/ verb: Doing something at it’s greatest level
Aus-tin - /ôstən/ noun: The greatest city on the planet
Playing football at it’s greatest level, in the greatest city on the planet, is a lot of superlatives. But if you saw McNeal playing offense, defense, and special teams for the Poteet Pirates over the last 4 years, you’d know it’s not hype – it’s on the real.
(I’ll save you a Google translation…that means that McNeal’s talent is prodigious.)
The key to McNeal’s ability to finesse is self-confidence.
- Not many 17 year-old athletes could withstand playing in Malik Jefferson’s shadow for 10 years.
- Several recruits made the news earlier this year, expressing concern over college coaches recruiting them, then leaving for a different school.
- Blue chip prospects don’t normally play on all three phases for their high school team, instead choosing to specialize on the position of their future.
But DeAndre McNeal isn’t like most recruits. Overflowing with a genuine confidence that never seems boastful, McNeal is self-assured enough to ignore what would cause most high-profile prospects to balk.
When Charlie Strong came calling last year, he was a solid fit for the Poteet star. McNeal describes Strong as “a great man†and “eagerâ€, but that wasn’t what tipped the scale in the Longhorns’ favor. It was Strong’s confidence and singular focus that sold McNeal, “Charlie will do whatever it takes to win.â€
Although McNeal was principally recruited by Brian Jean-Mary, his future position coach, Les Koenning, was fired after Arkansas annihilated Texas in the Texas Bowl. Unlike many recruits around the country, McNeal says he never hesitated during the staff turnover, “The only thing that changed is the coaching staff. The game will never change.â€
McNeal’s confidence is obvious in a statement like that, but Strong and UT certainly helped ease their case when Jay Norvell was hired. “I talk to Coach Norvell every week. He's always asking me if I'm doing good and making sure I'm doing everything that I need to be doing to succeed at the next level. I really appreciate that,†said McNeal. He added that his conversations with Novell extend beyond playing football, “He [Norvell] is trying to better me as a man.â€
Coaching three of the top four pass catchers in OU football’s history certainly didn’t hurt Novell’s credibility when he was hired. Although McNeal was a standout linebacker and special teams player at Poteet, he made it clear early in his recruitment that he wants to play wide receiver in college. Lacking playmakers on offense, Strong and Texas were quick to acquiesce to McNeal’s desire to play offense.Saying that Texas never talked to him about any position other than wideout, McNeal chimed in, “There is no doubt I will play as a freshman.â€
There’s that confidence again. Remember, when he says something like that, McNeal isn’t bragging…he’s finessin’.
McNeal isn’t the only one that believes in his talent. A coach in Poteet’s district (12-5A) weighed in with lofty expectations, “Honestly, I think DeAndre will eventually be a better college player than Malik [Jefferson]. It might not be in their first or second year at UT, but it will happen in Year 3 or 4.â€
The primary reason given for making such a claim is that McNeal is still growing. Assuming his abilities progress as he matures physically, McNeal will become a nightmare for opposing defenses.
If he does outshine Jefferson’s star, it will be a first. Flashback to December 2014 when McNeal committed to UT: his pledge was overshadowed by team-mate Malik Jefferson’s announcement.
But that was nothing new – McNeal had been playing in Jefferson’s shadow since the two stars played Pee Wee football against each other back in 2005. McNeal smiles when recalling the game from ten years ago – his team beat Jefferson’s for the city championship.
Even though McNeal and Jefferson grew up as close friends, the duo agreed to choose colleges independently of one another. McNeal says he didn’t know Jefferson planned to name the Longhorns as his choice until the night before they announced their commitment.
The media was at Poteet High School last December to take pictures of Jefferson, but that certainly doesn’t stop McNeal from having faith in his talents. The opportunity to continue finessin’ alongside Jefferson in Austin is a happy coincidence.
Since confessing their intent to each other late last year, the Poteet duo has been busy planning the resurgence of Texas football. McNeal admits that he had to brush off doubters along the way, “The whole universe says he [Charlie Strong] is mean and strict. To me, he's not. If you go to college and do what you’re supposed to be doing, then you'll have no problem. Coach Strong is a great man.â€
With that quote, McNeal reveals his true nature: On field, in the classroom, with the ladies...he's 100% finessin'. In reality finessin' is a coverup for a genuine, humble, well-mannered young man with massive football talent.
“I just want to be the guy everybody loves - signing autographs, taking pictures, and giving back. I just want to be DeAndre McNeal.â€
McNeal is leaving home to write the next chapter of his story, called “Fin-austinâ€.
