Interview: Long Beach Poly QB/ATH Nolan McDonald Updates Off-Season and Recruitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The future is uncertain for Long Beach Poly quarterback Nolan McDonald, but much like when the ball is in his hands one is assured something great is about to happen.

McDonald spent part of the 2015 season splitting snaps with Florida State Class of 2016 signee Malik Henry under center. Despite the time share in the pocket, McDonald still threw for 962 yards with 11 touchdowns and ran for another 200 yards with three more scores. Entering the 2016 schedule, the dual-threat has control of the offense giving way to high expectations for the Jackrabbits.

Colleges are taken with McDonald, but where and in which way is still up for debate. The 6’2”, 185 pound, athlete is talented enough to do just about anything his size fits the profile for leading some schools to recruit him as a quarterback, wide receiver, and even as a defensive back. Until they get the southern California native on campus, by most he is just a pure athlete.

The athlete label does not bother McDonald, quite the contrary. McDonald seems to relish the fact that seven different Division-I schools see enough in his abilities that they have offered him a scholarship for a position to be determined later. The teams that have offered includes Nevada, Cornell, Air Force, Georgetown, Navy, and Boise State with teams like Cal and Washington State showing interest.

McDonald is fresh off a visit to Ann Arbor seeing the Michigan campus and is about to start fall camp with Poly. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with McDonald for a one-on-one interview covering his off-season workouts, camp circuit, and recruitment.

Interview

Noland, which college camps did you attend this off-season?

“I went to a Boise State and Texas A&M camp, a Cal camp, and an Arizona camp as well.”

Which camp did you turn in your best performance?

“I feel like I did best at the Boise State camp. Not long after that they finally offered me.”

What were some of the things you did well at the Boise State camp that led to the Broncos giving you that offer?

“At the QB position, I got the ball out on time and I was accurate. I showed my athleticism at wide receiver as well.”

Which position did Boise State give you a scholarship to play?

“They offered me as an athlete.”

Are you okay with playing wide receiver at the next level?

“Of course.”

How did the Cal camp go?

“It went well as well. I got some contact with Cal’s defensive backs coach (Greg Burns). He liked how I performed. I played defensive back there.”

Which position did you attend the Arizona camp playing?

“I went as a QB there.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash at any of the camps?

“I did. At the Cal camp I ran a 4.56.”

Nice. Have you taken any unofficial visits this off-season?

“Other than to BSU, the most recent was Michigan. I just came back from there. I had a family reunion up there. My recruiting coordinator set up a visit for me and my brother (Cameron McDonald – 2018 wide receiver) to go there. It went well.”

What all did you do during your visit to Michigan?

“We visited the museum, took a tour of their athletic facilities, saw their training facilities, indoor practice field, and locker room.”

Do you have any visits planned coming up?

“My dad and I are talking about going to San Jose State. We’ll see how that goes.”

Which schools are showing fairly heavy interest in you but have not offered yet?

“Cal and Washington State.”

What about the schools that have offered? Which schools are showing the most interest within that group?

“Boise State, Nevada, and Navy are showing a lot of love.”

How many offers in total do you have now?

“I have seven.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been trying to put on more weight for the high school season and for the next level. I’ve been working on my speed; that has improved. I’ve also been working on the game above my shoulders. I can always learn more.”

Since you are being recruited for multiple positions by colleges, will you play multiple positions with Poly this year?

“This year we do not have a backup quarterback. I will start on the offensive side of the ball. If we are up, I will get some reps in on defense or if they need me I will go in on defense.”

How does the team look heading into the season?

“We look strong, especially at running back. We have two returning tailbacks that are both fast and strong. On defense, we have nine returning seniors. We are looking dominate right now.”

Have you looked at the schedule yet, and if so, which games are you getting excited to play?

“Yes, of course I’ve looked at the schedule. Los Alamitos is our first game (Aug. 26), Mission Viejo (Sept. 16) is our third game, and IMG Academy (Oct. 28) is our ninth game.”

You guys have a brutal schedule but it looks like a lot of fun. Nolan, thanks for your time today and good luck with the 2016 season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: McDonald family; Nolan (left) and Cameron (right) McDonald at Michigan.

Photo credit:  recruitingnewsguru.com; Nolan McDonald at a 7v7 tournament.