Will McDonald and Matt Blair?
After some consideration, I find myself forced (forced, I tell you!) to be the first to make this comparison in total earnestness. Will McDonald’s shift to linebacker, his sheer athleticism, feel for the game, reputation as a “freak”? It all fits!
Yep, I know, I’m old compared to some of you young whippersnappers. But my own real exposure to Matt Blair came when he was in his prime as a Minnesota’s Viking, making multiple Pro Bowls, making big plays all over the field, and setting records blocking kicks.
His reputation as an athletic freak came well before that, though. Part of the Matt Blair mythos at ISU is that he could place a quarter on top of a backboard. Seriously.
I have no idea whether that’s true or not—though I do have a friend who played basketball with Matt. As I recall, in games before the Cyclone varsity took the court.
I’ll mention that at one Spring Game, I glanced over and realized I was sitting a few feet away from Matt in the stands. Long retired then, he must have been in his forties—but in a tank and shorts, sprawled in the sun, looked like he could still go down on the field and kick some serious college kid ***.
Now, Will McDonald’s prep athletic successes, including starring in basketball and excelling in both the discus and high jump in track, are well documented on this site.
But the comparison goes deeper than sheer athleticism. With the switch, Will McDonald now plays the same position that Matt did as a pro. Even more, though the roster lists Will at 6’4” 230, he apparently claims to be 6’4 225 at the moment. Matt was listed as a pro at 6’5” 229. Yeah, that was a different day for football (both of Minnesota’s starting tackles, one a future HOF’er, were listed at 6’6” 255).
And the comparisons just keep coming. I’ve heard old timers (older than me) talk about how Matt was a total disruptor on the field as a Cyclone. That’s exactly how the staff is starting to about Will nowadays. All the things he can do, how fast he learns, how he’s a natural.
So, is Will McDonald going to be another Matt Blair? Only time will tell...but that time is very close.
Hey, somebody ask Will to put a quarter on top of a blackboard? And while you’re at it, get Matt down here to meet the kid!
