Most Crucial Jayhawks: No. 15 – DB Dexter McDonald
Kansas cornerback Dexter McDonald celebrates his interception during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Another weekday brings another installment in our summer series of the Kansas University football players who stand to have the biggest impact for the Jayhawks this fall. Check back each day this week as we unveil Nos. 15-11 on the list.
No. 15: Dexter McDonald, Senior DB —
Talent never was the issue for McDonald. Maturing to the point he could get out of the way of that talent and enhance it with a serious attitude no longer appears to be an issue.
Coaches were impressed with his improved focus throughout spring camp. He brought the sort of urgency coaches love to see in seniors who smell the finish line and want to extend it by continuing their careers professionally.
McDonald came to Kansas out of Rockhurst High, spent 2010 as a redshirt and showed promise in 2011, but was suspended by then coach Turner Gill for the final few games for off-field issues. He needed a year of maturing at Butler Community College for Charlie Weis to want him back in the program.
A 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback, McDonald has faster football speed than stopwatch speed and he’s not slow on the watch. He has excellent cover skills and worked hard at honing them during the spring. With Kevin Short playing opposite him, the Jayhawks have the talent to play more man coverage and have their best cornerback tandem since current Denver Broncos Chris Harris and Aqib Talib played together for Mark Mangino.
McDonald has the sort of body and talent to attract the attention of NFL scouts. He has come to know that the harder he works at refining his technique the better the reports that scouts turn in will look.
A healthy, focused year out of McDonald will enable Clint Bowen to leave him alone on an island and employ bodies elsewhere. McDonald’s an exciting talent primed for a big senior season.
“I’m happy with how Dexter has matured and is working on his game,” defensive coordinator Clint Bowen said during the spring. “He’s taking the small things into consideration a lot better than he did at this time a year ago. You can see a bigger emphasis from him on being a better fundamental player.” “I’m happy with how Dexter has matured and is working on his game,” Bowen said. “He’s taking the small things into consideration a lot better than he did at this time a year ago. You can see a bigger emphasis from him on being a better fundamental player.”
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