Father of top football recruit Davonte' Neal making amends
by Paola Boivin, columnist - Jan. 21, 2012
The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com
Three days ago, a black Escalade pulled up to the Scottsdale home of Chaparral High standout Davonte' Neal and delivered three members of the University of Notre Dame coaching staff, including head coach Brian Kelly. Hours earlier, an assistant from Ohio State was there for a visit.
It's heady stuff for a teenager who takes a "Toy Story" backpack to school every day.
The recruitment of the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Neal, who could play wide receiver or defensive back in college, is a fascinating look at the courtship of a much-coveted football star and contains an equally intriguing subplot: a father's attempt at repentance for past mistakes.
"It's very important to note I was a deadbeat dad," Luke Neal said. "I want that to be known. I didn't take care of my responsibilities then. I'm trying to do that now."
He sees part of that responsibility as assisting Davonte' in the recruiting process.
The player returns from an official trip to Arkansas Sunday night. He already has visited Notre Dame and Ohio State and will head to North Carolina and Arizona in the next few weeks. He plans to take an unofficial visit to Arizona State.
cont...
