Mike Roach
Staff
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2013
- Messages
- 2,021
At 5:45 this morning I got up and got ready to make the 40 minute drive to Mesquite to cover the announcement of Malik Jefferson and Deandre McNeal. After slogging through the traffic on a rainy Friday morning in the metroplex I arrived at Poteet high school and took my place among others in the media. I really didn’t know what to expect as this was the first announcement ceremony I’ve covered professionally but there was an electricity in the air from the moment I arrived. Teachers and coaches frantically ran around making sure everything was setup correctly while students streamed in from the back of the auditorium. Up on stage, Malik Jefferson smiled easily as he chatted with Poteet’s principal.
As chatter picked up in the media area I heard all sorts of rumors. At some point a respected writer near me said "I’ve heard it’s Texas for both, Charlie did some work this week". Malik’s family then entered the auditorium as Malik’s face lit up. You could tell he was very happy to share this special moment with them. Deandre McNeal entered stage left next as he and Malik posed for pictures and chatted with everyone on stage. Finally the proceedings kicked off as Poteet Principal Karyn Cummings opened things up. She spoke about what wonderful students and leaders Jefferson and McNeal were. She spoke about how she tried to get a clue on where they would be going but they wouldn’t tell her. Finally she spoke about the community of Poteet and how much these two mean to that community. She was right, these kids love this school and everything it’s given them.
Next up was Poteet’s head football coach Kody Groves who talked about how much his players meant to him and their team. Groves kept it short before turning it over to McNeal. Deandre McNeal gave a short speech thanking everyone who made this day possible while sprinkling in some light hearted stories about his family. Finally he called his family up on the stage and presented them with gift bags. At the count of three the family reached in and revealed a myriad of Texas shirts and hats to reveal his decision. The audience exploded while the media started to buzz about what this announcement might mean for the state’s #1 player.
Malik then got up and gave a similar speech full of thank you’s and blessings. At that point he called his brothers up on stage who spoke while Malik walked backstage. Malik’s brothers told stories about how much of a physical freak Malik was and how they could see it at a young age. Finally the big moment came as Malik walked back to the podium. One of his brothers announced the decision would be The University of Texas as Malik donned a gray flat billed Longhorn cap. As the pro Longhorn crowd erupted the media moved swiftly to try and gain an interview with the duo.
Malik was first as he fielded questions from around ten reporters from various sites. Before his announcement, Jefferson said the decision was one hundred percent about trust. When asked about Charlie Strong, Malik replied "He’s real twenty four seven, I have total trust in him". Jefferson said he made his decision Thursday night after meditating on it and speaking with his family. Following that Jefferson called Strong to tell him the news. "He was excited" Jefferson said, "He told me he wants me to be a leader".
Malik said that he and Deandre have discussed playing together for a while, "We wanted to play together, I didn’t think we would be at the same school but we talked about it and decided". Throughout his recruitment, Malik has been thought of as a heavy aggie lean and even admitted that himself. "I was almost one hundred percent to A&M when the process started, but things changed and I had to make a last minute flip". Jefferson said he talked to the A&M coaching staff last night to explain his decision. "They couldn’t believe it because they thought they had me in the bag". Jefferson noted that the failure to hire a new defensive coordinator really hurt the Aggies in the end. "It kinda hurt because you want to know who your coach is going to be. It’s a gamble. To be comfortable in a situation like that makes a big difference." Jefferson said he had a very tough time with the decision but also stated that it’s done and he can’t go back once it’s finalized. In speaking with Jefferson’s father later he said, "A commitment from a Jefferson is final". I later spoke with Malik’s mom who looked relieved as she fussed at Malik for the way he was wearing his hat and talked about how happy she was that Malik would be coached by Charlie Strong.
After that it was on to Deandre McNeal. The charismatic athlete fielded questions with an easy attitude, making jokes, and flashing a re-assuring smile. McNeal said that in the end he was down to Texas and UCLA. "I almost committed to A&M until Coach Beaty left". McNeal said he finalized his decision Wednesday and discussed it with Jefferson. "He asked me what we were going to do about school and I started singing ‘The stars at night shine big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas’". You could really tell McNeal was having fun with the whole thing. While he may come off a bit cocky, McNeal strikes me as a goofy kid having fun. When asked what it was about Texas that affirmed his decision McNeal said "Being a part of that re-building is something I want to do". As both players fielded interviews and picture requests you could tell the stress of the situation was off of them and they were ready to enjoy it. As I left Poteet in search of breakfast I glanced at twitter and noticed an explosion of comments from recruits around the state. It’s clear that this decision has made a big splash with the uncommitted players in the state and even some of the committed ones. Jefferson and McNeal both said that they wouldn’t try to persuade anyone to come to Texas but they will definitely offer some advice. The proceedings today featured two mature young men who are truly beloved by their school and community. Now that community will extend all the way to Austin, Texas.
As chatter picked up in the media area I heard all sorts of rumors. At some point a respected writer near me said "I’ve heard it’s Texas for both, Charlie did some work this week". Malik’s family then entered the auditorium as Malik’s face lit up. You could tell he was very happy to share this special moment with them. Deandre McNeal entered stage left next as he and Malik posed for pictures and chatted with everyone on stage. Finally the proceedings kicked off as Poteet Principal Karyn Cummings opened things up. She spoke about what wonderful students and leaders Jefferson and McNeal were. She spoke about how she tried to get a clue on where they would be going but they wouldn’t tell her. Finally she spoke about the community of Poteet and how much these two mean to that community. She was right, these kids love this school and everything it’s given them.
Next up was Poteet’s head football coach Kody Groves who talked about how much his players meant to him and their team. Groves kept it short before turning it over to McNeal. Deandre McNeal gave a short speech thanking everyone who made this day possible while sprinkling in some light hearted stories about his family. Finally he called his family up on the stage and presented them with gift bags. At the count of three the family reached in and revealed a myriad of Texas shirts and hats to reveal his decision. The audience exploded while the media started to buzz about what this announcement might mean for the state’s #1 player.
Malik then got up and gave a similar speech full of thank you’s and blessings. At that point he called his brothers up on stage who spoke while Malik walked backstage. Malik’s brothers told stories about how much of a physical freak Malik was and how they could see it at a young age. Finally the big moment came as Malik walked back to the podium. One of his brothers announced the decision would be The University of Texas as Malik donned a gray flat billed Longhorn cap. As the pro Longhorn crowd erupted the media moved swiftly to try and gain an interview with the duo.
Malik was first as he fielded questions from around ten reporters from various sites. Before his announcement, Jefferson said the decision was one hundred percent about trust. When asked about Charlie Strong, Malik replied "He’s real twenty four seven, I have total trust in him". Jefferson said he made his decision Thursday night after meditating on it and speaking with his family. Following that Jefferson called Strong to tell him the news. "He was excited" Jefferson said, "He told me he wants me to be a leader".
Malik said that he and Deandre have discussed playing together for a while, "We wanted to play together, I didn’t think we would be at the same school but we talked about it and decided". Throughout his recruitment, Malik has been thought of as a heavy aggie lean and even admitted that himself. "I was almost one hundred percent to A&M when the process started, but things changed and I had to make a last minute flip". Jefferson said he talked to the A&M coaching staff last night to explain his decision. "They couldn’t believe it because they thought they had me in the bag". Jefferson noted that the failure to hire a new defensive coordinator really hurt the Aggies in the end. "It kinda hurt because you want to know who your coach is going to be. It’s a gamble. To be comfortable in a situation like that makes a big difference." Jefferson said he had a very tough time with the decision but also stated that it’s done and he can’t go back once it’s finalized. In speaking with Jefferson’s father later he said, "A commitment from a Jefferson is final". I later spoke with Malik’s mom who looked relieved as she fussed at Malik for the way he was wearing his hat and talked about how happy she was that Malik would be coached by Charlie Strong.
After that it was on to Deandre McNeal. The charismatic athlete fielded questions with an easy attitude, making jokes, and flashing a re-assuring smile. McNeal said that in the end he was down to Texas and UCLA. "I almost committed to A&M until Coach Beaty left". McNeal said he finalized his decision Wednesday and discussed it with Jefferson. "He asked me what we were going to do about school and I started singing ‘The stars at night shine big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas’". You could really tell McNeal was having fun with the whole thing. While he may come off a bit cocky, McNeal strikes me as a goofy kid having fun. When asked what it was about Texas that affirmed his decision McNeal said "Being a part of that re-building is something I want to do". As both players fielded interviews and picture requests you could tell the stress of the situation was off of them and they were ready to enjoy it. As I left Poteet in search of breakfast I glanced at twitter and noticed an explosion of comments from recruits around the state. It’s clear that this decision has made a big splash with the uncommitted players in the state and even some of the committed ones. Jefferson and McNeal both said that they wouldn’t try to persuade anyone to come to Texas but they will definitely offer some advice. The proceedings today featured two mature young men who are truly beloved by their school and community. Now that community will extend all the way to Austin, Texas.
