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Rivals · 2023 Class · S · Jelani McDonald
Texas
TexasTexas Longhorns
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Jelani McDonald

JelaniMcDonald

Waco, TXConnally
Jersey
#4
Pos
S
HT / WT
6-2 / 180
Class
JR
NIL Valuation
$304K
Rivals
6
NATL
#97
POS
#1
ST
#18
On3
97
NATL
#41
POS
#2
ST
#7
ESPN
82
NATL
#178
POS
#10
ST
#29
247
96
NATL
#51
POS
#2
ST
#7
The Journey
Class of 2023
Texas Longhorns
ENROLLED
Connally Cadets
Connally Cadets
2022 – 2022
HIGH SCHOOL

Film

HIGHLIGHTS · ANALYSIS · COMMIT FILM
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Reminds Us Of

Jeremy Chinn
Jeremy Chinn
S / 6-3 / 212
Southern IllinoisSouthern Illinois · HS Class of 2016
Carolina2020 Draft · Rnd 2 · Pick 64

Jelani McDonald is a big-framed safety prospect who could grow into a linebacker long-term. His size and high-end athleticism remind us of Jeremy Chinn. McDonald is an accomplished three-sport athlete who is also a standout in basketball and track. Chinn was a ball-hawking defensive back at the high school level.

Team Predictions

Industry Consensus · RPM Picks
Team
Prediction
Recruited By
Distance
Class Rank
Draft Pos (5yr)
Draft Total (5yr)
Texas
ENROLLED1/7/2023
98.2%
96 mi
3
0
14
TCU
OFFERED
1.3%
84 mi
19
0
13
Texas Tech
OFFERED
N/A
308 mi
28
0
9
Ole Miss
OFFERED
N/A
484 mi
20
0
18
Oklahoma State
N/A
313 mi
55
0
13
Texas
TexasENROLLED
98.2%
TCU
TCUOFFERED
1.3%
Texas Tech
Texas TechOFFERED
N/A
Ole Miss
Ole MissOFFERED
Sam Carter
N/A
Oklahoma State
Tim Duffie
N/A

Visit Center

Official & Unofficial · 5 total
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Scouting Report

4 Reports
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Jelani McDonald Scouting Summary
Cody Bellaire
07/18/22

Gifted multi-sport and multi-positional athlete with a big frame and considerable growth potential. Measured over 6-foot-2, and a lean 195 pounds with a 6-foot-6 wing-span prior to his senior season. Pairs the high-end frame and length with outstanding overall athleticism. State champion in the triple jump as a junior with a 48-2 mark. District MVP in basketball as a junior, showing above the rim bounce while leading his team to a deep playoff run. Transfers that athleticism over to the gridiron where he works as a smooth dual-threat quarterback for his high school. Shows good play speed and a long stride capable of pulling away from defenders. Flashes playmaking ability and physicality while playing defense on Friday nights. Was able to cover national names at wide receiver while playing corner at the All-American Bowl, showing some rare cover ability for a prospect of his size. Remains to be seen where he ends up at the next level, but projects as a back seven defender. Could play safety or potentially grow into a linebacker. The frame, athletic profile and smooth movement patterns point to a high ceiling. Also younger for the class, not turning 18 until May of 2023.

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Measurements & Testing

Jelani McDonaldConnally
Top 300 S AvgAvg. Last 3 Years
NFL Combine DraftedAvg. Last 3 Years
Weight
180
195
203
92.3%88.7%
Height
6-2
6-1
6-0
101.4%102.8%
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Photos

Gallery · 2 Images

Personal Life

No personal-life bio on file for this player yet.

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