Interview: 2018 Long Beach Poly 4-Star WR/TE Cameron McDonald Swinging Spotlight His Way

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When Long Beach Poly takes the field for the 2016 season, one of the players atop the list for opposing California defensive coordinators to stop is Class of 2018 wide receiver/tight end Cameron McDonald.

McDonald has all the talent and potential in the world and has a great opportunity to showcase his skill set this year with a trusted quarterback under center in older brother Nolan McDonald. The McDonald to McDonald connection is something Jackrabbit fans are hoping will return the southern California long-time powerhouse back to glory after an off year in 2015 seeing the team fall from an 11-2 mark in 2014 to 4-6.

Cameron takes the field as a junior listed at 6’4”, 207 pounds, with a solid year of varsity ball under his belt a year ago. Exact stats have not been confirmed, but via MaxPreps Cameron had 11 receptions for 127 yards with two scores a year ago through nine games. With Nolan, a three-star recruit with seven offers on the table, taking over as the full-time starter for Class of 2016 Florida State signee Malik Henry, expectations are high across the board in Long Beach under head coach Antonio Pierce.

The expectations along with potential seen in Cameron, listed as a four-star recruit by Rivals, has already been sought out by collegiate coaches with nine programs dropping offers to date. The list of current hopefuls for a verbal commitment includes UCLA, USC, Florida, Washington, Washington State, Oregon State, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the 2018 recruiting class to get an update on his off-season workouts, his thoughts on Poly’s team in 2016, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Cameron, you made a big jump onto the recruiting scene during your sophomore year. What were some of the things you got better at as a wide receiver as you made your way through the 2015 schedule?

“Initially it was adjusting to the game speed. We practice at a fast pace but you cannot simulate game speed in practice; that improved my game a lot. Going up against some of the best competition in the nation like Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), I now know what the best looks like out on the field and how to compete against the best.”

What are some of your strengths as a wide receiver/tight end?

“I feel like I create mismatches really well. I am a big wide receiver but they have me listed as a tight end too. I can create mismatches against linebackers and safeties. I can pick up an easy 8-10 yard gain as a possession receiver. I like my game similar to Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) or Jordan Reed (Washington Redskins). I feel like I am that kind of guy. A guy at the college level I play most like is Evan Engram from Ole Miss.”

You have an opportunity for a big breakout season in 2016. Have you set any personal goals for yourself entering the year?

“You always want to have a prolific season, but I honestly don’t care about that. I want the ring. I don’t care about my stat line. I know I am getting looked at (by colleges). My stats are not as important as getting a ring. At the end of the day I don’t care about personal stats.”

I like that. What all have you been working on to prepare yourself for your junior campaign?

“I’ve been working on my strength. Even though I am a wide receiver, I do have tight end responsibilities. I want to add strength for run blocking. I’m at 207 right now, I want to be at 215 when the season starts. I still have a lot of work to do this last month.”

Will your role within the offense change at all this year?

“Not really. We had some talented upperclassmen like Jack Jones (Class of 2016 USC Trojans signee) on the team last year making a lot of plays. I think my role will be the same but I will have a bigger impact on the offense this year.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have nine offers.”

Which teams are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Michigan and Cal are the big ones right now. I’m hopeful to receive offers from them this season.”

Do you have any unofficial visits planned during the season?

“I’d like to get up to Washington State. I like how they throw the ball a lot. Whatever visits Nolan takes, I will tag along. I have no planned visits as of right now.”

With nine offers on the table, you’ve heard a lot of feedback on your skill set. What are college coaches telling you they like about your game?

“They love how versatile I am because I can go outside but I create mismatches on the inside as well.”

With nine offers on the table, some underclassmen in the same position feel the pressure to commit early. Are you feeling any of that pressure?

“No. I’m not going to commit until 2018. There are too many recruits that decommit. That can ruin a player’s reputation. I don’t want that to happen to me. So, I just will not commit until I am ready.”

I like that. Well said.

“Thank you.”

How did your sophomore year end up in the classroom?

“I had a 3.2 GPA.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“English, it has to be English.”

Are there any games on the schedule that you are getting hyped to play this year?

“The games on the schedule that I am most excited to play are against Mission Viejo (Sept. 16) and against IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL – Oct. 28). Poly verses Mission Viejo is one of the biggest rivalries in So-Cal football. I’m really excited for that game. There will be a lot of top 2018 recruits in that game.”

I’m excited to see what you and Nolan can do together this year. When you guys are playing together in a game, what is that connection like between the two of you?

“We are with each other 24/7. We have this natural chemistry on and off the field. It is a blessing. There is nothing like a brother’s chemistry.”

Cameron, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: McDonald family; Cameron (right) and Nolan McDonald (left) visiting Michigan (July 2016).

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Cameron McDonald at a 7v7 tournament (June 2016).