By: Nate Gotlieb

Gophers wide receiver Andre McDonald will miss spring practice because of personal issues, a team spokesperson confirmed Friday. 

McDonald was last enrolled at the University in fall 2012, according to the school’s directory.

Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill declined to comment on the situation.  McDonald, a former Hopkins High School standout, did not respond to calls from the Minnesota Daily.

Hopkins head coach John DenHartog didn’t comment on McDonald’s current situation but said it’s unrelated to the Gophers or their coaching staff.

“I think he’s being treated very fairly,” DenHartog said. 

McDonald struggled early in his Hopkins career because of a turbulent family life and had a GPA below 1.0 after his freshman year in high school.

He turned around his grades and found his athletic potential when he moved into the house of Jenny Blomgren, whom he met through a family friend. 

McDonald caught 19 touchdown passes his junior season and became one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the state. He initially committed to Minnesota but flipped his commitment to Vanderbilt early in his senior season. He recommitted to Minnesota late in the recruiting process.

McDonald said he carried a 3.6 GPA during the 2012 summer session at the University and planned to major in elementary education.

He played eight games for the Gophers last season but missed the team’s Dec. 28 bowl game after violating team rules.