DJuan ODonald has transferred from Duke to Illinois State and has joined the Redbird football team. The 5-11, 192-pound sophomore cornerback is immediately eligible under NCAA rules.
ODonald, who redshirted in 1999, will have three years of eligibility once he dons a Redbird jersey.
ODonald is a welcome sight to ISU head coach Denver Johnson, who lost virtually his entire starting secondary to graduation after last season.
We have a lot of questions in our defensive backfield and we hope that DJuan (ODonald) is one of the answers, Johnson said. Hes a talented athlete with some good tools and we hope that he can compete for a starting spot.
A native of Detroit, Mich., ODonald registered 13 tackles and broke up one pass in 10 games for the Blue Devils in 2000.
ODonald earned three letters in football and four in track at Renaissance High School. He was a two-time all-city selection on the gridiron and was named to the Detroit News and Free Press Blue Chip list.
The speedy defensive back holds several records at Renaissance, including the longest interception return (80 yards), and most interceptions in a season (five).
In addition to achievements in the athletic realm, ODonald was standout in the classroom as well, as he was earned both the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarship and the Operation Friendship and U.S. Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete Award.
