Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei defensive back Chuck McDonald has committed to the Polynesian Bowl, adding another top-tier player to the roster. McDonald, one of the nation’s leading cornerback prospects, recently rose in the 247Sports Rankings from No. 151 to No. 115 nationally and is now ranked as the No. 13 cornerback in the country. He is known for his length, athleticism, and cover skills, and he recently posted a personal best time of 10.84 seconds in the 100 meters during track season.
He’s pushing 6-1, 195 pounds and shows off the positional versatility to play out wide or in the slot. He has good ball skills and cover awareness and we really like where his game is trending right now.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” McDonald said. “I’m looking forward to competing and excited about playing in Hawaii.
“I was actually born in Honolulu but moved out to California when I was just one so I don’t remember anything from it. I’m very excited to get back out there and see where everything started for me.”
Mater Dei has had several players in the past play in the Polynesian Bowl and has always had a strong group of Polynesian players in the program.
I’m still excited to learn a lot more about the Poly culture,” McDonald said. “Like I said, I haven’t been out there since I was young so I’m excited to experience everything I can.
“I’ve been watching the game the last few years and it was great. It looked like everyone was competing and having fun. I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
The Polynesian Bowl has become one of the premier high school all-star games in the nation. The celebration of culture and football is what makes the game unique. The Polynesian Bowl will be televised live on the NFL Network
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s standout defensive back, Chuck McDonald, has committed to play in this year’s Polynesian Bowl, joining the roster of elite players. McDonald, a top cornerback prospect, recently climbed the 247Sports Rankings from No. 151 to No. 115 nationally, and he is now ranked as the No. 13 cornerback in the country. He boasts an impressive blend of length, athleticism, and cover skills, and he recently achieved a personal best of 10.84 seconds in the 100 meters during track season.
Standing at nearly 6-1 and weighing 195 pounds, McDonald displays versatility by playing both wide and slot positions, showing excellent ball skills and cover awareness. He expressed excitement about the opportunity, particularly about playing in Hawaii, where he was born before moving to California at the age of one.
Mater Dei has a history of sending players to the Polynesian Bowl, and McDonald is eager to learn more about Polynesian culture. He has watched the game in recent years and looks forward to the competitive and enjoyable environment.
The Polynesian Bowl is a premier high school all-star game, known for celebrating both culture and football, and will be televised live on the NFL Network. Jesse Sapolu, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Chairman of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, highlighted the unique and unforgettable experience the game offers.
In terms of recruitment, McDonald has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and USC. He has made multiple unofficial visits to each and plans to officially visit all four in the coming month. USC, being the local option, has hosted McDonald the most, but his recent visit to Oregon left a significant impression.
