Western Kentucky went into the 2016 offseason knowing it would need to replace four graduating tight ends, including Tyler Higbee, widely considered one of the top prospects at the position in the upcoming NFL draft. Thanks in part to an addition from outside the program, the team has taken at least a small step toward helping to potentially replace the lost production.
In a conversation with the Bowling Green Daily News, Steve Donatell confirmed that he had decided to leave Wake Forest and transfer to WKU. Donatell is coming to the Hilltoppers as a graduate transfer, which means he’ll b eligible to play right away for what will be his final season of eligibility.
Donatell’s father, Chicago Bears defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, was a defensive assistant at Pacific in the mid-eighties and one of the players on that side of the ball was Nick Holt, WKU’s defensive coordinator. It was a couple of offensive-minded coaches, however, that sealed player’s transfer decision.
“Right away, talking to [tight ends] coach [Tony] Levine, he seemed like a good guy and a good coach,” Donatell told the Daily News. “Obviously with his past coaching experience, and then getting to know [head] coach [Jeff] Brohm, he was very impressive as well.”
Donatell began his career at Wake as a linebacker, starting the first three games of his redshirt freshman season at the position before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of 2013. The 6-6, 230-pound senior moved to tight end in spring practice last year and caught three passes for 31 yards.