MINNETONKA, Minn. - Hopkins senior wide receiver Andre McDonald has chosen to stay in state.
McDonald told KARE 11 Thursday he will play for the University of Minnesota next year.
The verbal commitment comes just six days before National Signing Day on Wednesday.
McDonald is ranked as the state's number one recruit according to the website Rivals.com.
He originally committed to the University of Minnesota last spring before de-committing and announcing that he would attend Vanderbilt this fall. However, McDonald announced in December he was once again de-committing from Vanderbilt after the team's wide receivers coach left the school.
McDonald says it was Jerry Kill and his staff that made him feel like family.
"They kept such a firm relationship with me," McDonald told KARE 11. "They just kept talking to me and they just kind of showed that they're always there no matter what. I mean, every school kept in contact with me, but Minnesota I just feel like I have my father figure away from home."
McDonald's signing is a big victory for Jerry Kill as he keeps the number one recruit in the state. Kill cannot on comment recruits until Wednesday.
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