Philip Nelson is known for passing the football and Maxx Williams for catching it. Here's one more Big Ten-level talent that duo possesses, too: recruiting.

Nelson and Williams, the Mankato West quarterback and Waconia tight end already committed to playing at Minnesota next year, joined Hopkins receiver Andre McDonald at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix earlier this month and took the opportunity to lobby their fellow Minnesotan to join them as Gophers.

On Thursday, McDonald agreed, informing Gophers coach Jerry Kill and his staff that he will sign a letter of intent with Minnesota next Wednesday, the first day prep athletes can formally accept scholarship offers.

McDonald, who had 1,253 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Royals during his senior year, is considered the No. 1 recruit in the state by rivals.com.

The 6-3, 200-pound receiver said in an interview on KARE-TV that Kill and his assistant coaches "just kept such a firm relationship with me, kept talking to me, showed me that they're always there, no matter what," even after he withdrew his original commitment to the Gophers last summer.

McDonald chose the Gophers last February, then changed his mind in favor of Vanderbilt over the summer. But when the assistant coach who recruited him left the school, McDonald reconsidered again, visiting Minnesota and UCLA this month before making up his mind.

McDonald joins at least six other Minnesota high school players who are expected to sign with the Gophers next week, including Nelson and Williams.

Edina safety Nick Rallis, Blue Earth offensive lineman Jonah Pirsig, Lakeville quarterback Mitch Leidner and St. Thomas Academy lineman Isaac Hayes also have committed to be part of Kill's class of 2012.