3 MHS football players invited to national combine

Geovanni Walker, Elisha Donaldson, and Isaac Pickett, of the Maricopa High School football team have been invited to a national super combine in July for the chance to play in one of two Blue-Grey National All-American games.

The combine will be held at San Mateo College in San Mateo, California on July 13 for the chance to play at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Dec. 14, or at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on Jan. 15.

All three players had to first compete in the Desert Showcase regional combine before being selected for the national combine.

The Desert Showcase was held May 10 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Walker will be attending the combine for the chance to play on a national stage.

“I’m very excited,” Walker said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.”

They were all nominated for the regional combine by varsity football coach Chris McDonald, who said Donaldson and Pickett have not yet decided whether they will attend.

“We felt they would represent the school and community well,” McDonald said. “I want to try and make things happen for my players to get more exposure at the collegiate level.”

McDonald said he and his coaching staff nominated 10 seniors to participate in the regional combine. “I think all of these guys, Geovanni, Elisha and Isaac especially, can easily play at the next level with their athletic abilities,” McDonald said.

He said the team has had a great summer and performed really well in passing league competitions at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, catching the eyes of college coaches.

“ASU coaches and coaches from Arizona Christian have been inquiring about some of our players,” McDonald said.

Walker’s mother Chandra Smith is excited for the opportunity Geovanni has been given.

“We are so proud of his drive,” Smith said. “He never complains about the hard football practices and working at Copper Sky. The excitement in his eyes about the combine brings tears to ours. The combine is a great stepping stone for his future.”

“I’m proud of Geovanni,” McDonald said. “He’s saying and doing all the right things and hopefully that translates to the field this season.”

“For something like this to happen before my senior season even begins is amazing,” Walker said. “Playing in the game would be a great memory that I could look back on and tell my future kids about.” ***ADVERTISEMENT***