under the DOME
By Lou Somogyi
N
otre Dame's receiving
corps already was in
a rebuilding mode this
spring with the graduation of four of its top six
pass catchers from 2012.
Two more defections
during the first week of
spring drills added to the
reconstruction.
As first reported March
26 on BlueandGold.com,
freshmen Davonte' Neal
and Justin Ferguson left
school mid-semester to
return to their hometowns and plan their future.
The 5-9, 178-pound
Neal played in all 13
games last year, primarily as the punt returner,
bringing back 21 punts
46 yards (2.2 yards per
return). While backing
up senior Robby Toma at
slot, he caught one pass
for minus-five yards
and carried one time for
seven yards.
The 6-1, 192-pound
Ferguson made 11 game
appearances, primarily
on special teams, and
caught one pass for nine
yards.
Out Routes
Receivers Davonte' Neal, Justin
Ferguson leave Notre Dame
Neal is transferring to the University of Arizona, where he can be
closer to his young daughter.
photo by bill panzica
"Davonte' Neal and
Justin Ferguson are no
longer a part of the football program, and they
won't be in the future,"
Notre Dame head coach
Brian Kelly confirmed
after the March 27 prac-
tice. "We wish them the
very best in their future
endeavors. I'm not going
to get into the specifics
of it."
For Scottsdale, Ariz.,
native Neal, one of the
specifics included father-
