We hadn’t heard much about Andre McDonald, Minnesota’s prized 2012 recruit, since head coach Jerry Kill announced in September that he wouldn’t be playing with the Gophers in 2013 — that was until the Minnesota Daily reported that McDonald was transferring to the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.
McDonald, who was suspended from the 2012 Texas Bowl, has been in and out of rehab since his suspension for smoking marijuana before the bowl game his freshman year. After being dismissed from camp in August, McDonald left the state and temporarily relocated to Miami, working at a Macy’s while contemplating his future.
His decision to transfer to D-III River Falls had to do with a change of scenery but was also motivated by a close bond he had with a fellow Minnesotan on the roster.
The former four-star recruit from Minnetonka had once sifted through offers from Ohio State, Iowa and Vanderbilt, but despite the setback, he’s still dreaming of a future in the NFL. But in case that fails, he hopes to become an elementary school teacher.
McDonald played in eight games his freshman year with the Gophers, making one start against Nebraska. He recorded 10 catches for 121 yards in those games.