McDonald has trimmed his list to a final four: Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and USC. He plans to take official visits to each of these programs before making his decision.
Santa Ana’s Mater Dei standout, Chuck McDonald, has narrowed his college choices down to a select four.
Renowned for his prowess as a cover corner in the class of ’25, McDonald’s game is on a promising trajectory. Standing tall at 6’1″ and possessing remarkable athleticism, he’s demonstrated his speed with a personal best 10.84-second 100m dash during the Spring track season.
Throughout the offseason, McDonald was active in exploring various college options through unofficial visits across the nation. However, he has now settled on a final quartet. His shortlist includes powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and USC.
McDonald provided insights into what sets each of his finalists apart.
Alabama: “I feel like a top priority for Bama right now, and I have a good relationship with the coaching staff. Coach (Maurice) Linguist and coach (Kane) Wommack recently visited our school, and we had a great conversation. I’m excited to head back there for my official visit.”
Oregon: “Oregon offers so many resources for their players to excel. I recently visited for the first time and was impressed by everything. I have a strong relationship with coach (Chris) Hampton, coach (Tosh) Lupoi, and coach (Rashad) Wadood, and I feel very comfortable there.”
USC: “USC is close to home, and they’re on the rise with their new defensive staff. I have a strong relationship with most of the coaching staff, and I’ve connected well with the new coaches, coach (Doug) Belk and coach (D’Anton) Lynn. I already knew coach (Taylor) Mays and coach Bookie, so there’s a familiarity there.”
Georgia: “I believe Georgia boasts two of the finest defensive back coaches in college football. Coach Donte (Williams) and coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) are exceptional coaches who have groomed numerous players for success in the NFL. I have a great rapport with both of them and have been in contact with them for years.”
As for his official visits, McDonald’s schedule is as follows: Alabama on May 31, followed by Georgia on June 7, Oregon on June 14, and USC on June 21.
“I haven’t set a commitment date yet,” McDonald stated. “But I do intend to make my decision before my senior year, so it will be sometime in the summer, possibly July or early August.
“At the moment, my plan is to take my visits and then carefully evaluate each program to determine where I feel the best fit is for me. It’s going to be a tough decision because all four programs are fantastic, but I’m looking forward to going through the process.”