MN’s Top WR Dorian Singer Transferring to Pinnacle HS (AZ): Hear from Him
Let me start by saying this: in my personal opinion this is without a doubt the best move for Tartan’s stud ATH, PRzMN’s #10 overall recruit and #1 rated WR Dorian Singer. While it may have seemed like it came out of left field for some, the decision actually makes quite a bit sense when you break it down. If you read my announcement article of the transfer for PrepRedzoneMN when it was still unconfirmed, you’ll remember my mention that the 6’, 175 lb, ATH (listed as a Safety now for Pinnacle) was named in a Rivals.com article naming some of the recruits in the country MOST affected by COVID-19 and how that may potentially impact their recruitment. It isn’t a stretch to say that Singer’s offer sheet - while already impressive - could have potentially been much larger if the regional and national camps/combines/workouts/etc. had happened this offseason as they normally do. Singer put it well himself, saying that a lot of coaches he was talking to from big schools needed to see him perform in person if he wanted to earn an offer. He stated to PRzMN that the lack of offseason events "affected me a lot (because) a lot of coaches were just waiting on camp season to watch me ball out." These camps bring a ton of exposure to athletes and if they are on a large enough stage it is quite common to have Power-5 coaches and recruiters at the events. Back in 2014 MPLS Washburn RB and Mr. Football winner Jeff Jones earned multiple P5 offers - including a Florida Gator scholarship - at the Under Armour AA game, just from his performance in a quarter or two. Last summer Pierz’s
Matthias Algarin
Matthias
Algarin
6'1" | WR
Pierz | 2020
State
MN
went to Nebraska’s individual camp and earned himself a B1G Cornhusker’s offer that he ultimately accepted. Singer has that same big-play ability, and these camps normally feature 1 vs. 1 WR vs. DB matchups and occasionally 7 on 7s, so I have no doubt that Singer could have shown his skill set off to a lot more coaches in-person rather than just from his Hudl. Without any chance of these events being made up, transferring to a national powerhouse high school program is the ONLY way Singer could still get exposure to college coaches that normally don’t make the trek up North to Minnesota very often.
Additionally, there is a Minnesota connection to the school. 2020 Champlin Park graduate Will Dampier has a little brother named Devon Dampier who is a future 2023 graduate of Pinnacle High School, located outside Phoenix. Devon has worked out with Singer with trainer Eric (Emoney) Harrison in the Twin Cities, so having a natural connection to someone at the school always makes a transition easier. Additionally, Minnesota is still very up in the air about potentially having a football season in the fall. No matter how you feel about how different states have handled COVID-19, it doesn’t take away the fact that Arizona - whether it’s good or not - has a much better chance of playing prep football in the fall. Also, Singer straight-up has the athletic ability to play at a nationally competitive program, something not everyone possesses. Lastly, and people really need to remember this: this is a global pandemic and something of this nature has not ever come close to happening while most of us have been alive, so it’s really hard for me to listen to people who are hating on this decision by Singer. While people may argue that it’s better for athletes from their state to stay in their state and play high school ball there in-order to represent or symbolize the state itself once they play in college, nothing can change the fact that Minnesota is objectively just not as hot of a recruiting bed than other states, and in this case: Arizona. When asked how being from Minnesota may or may not have affected getting looks from FBS and bigger schools, Singer interestingly stated that "it impacts (recruitment) but it doesn’t take away from the FCS and other programs recruiting me. I didn’t really get to visit the school’s so my family and I decided I should weigh my options until things open back up." Whether it’s fair or not, a lot of athletes here just don’t get the same type of looks from P5 schools that recruits in other states, especially warmer ones, get. With all of his options off the table to try and get national exposure while playing in MN, Singer made the only choice he really had left to try and go to a college football opportunity that he has been working for since a little kid. I shouldn’t even have to say this, but Singer does not mean any disrespect to the programs that have offered him at this point. It is simply a better opportunity for him to play high level football during this unprecedented time of a global pandemic. Whether you agree or not, it doesn’t change the fact that this is the right decision for him, and we should all be excited and happy for the former Tartan Titan as he moves onto Arizona and the next chapter in his football career.
When asked about what he will miss about Tartan and playing prep football in MN, Singer told PrepRedzoneMN that "I will forever be a Titan! I love my Tartan family forever and always that’s always in me! I just don’t think many people know how big of an opportunity this is for me. Things like this don’t happen too often. I will miss the memories I’ve made and of course the excitement on gamedays in the Fall in Minnesota." He’s right about these things not happening too often, and in a time of so much uncertainty in the world the chance to watch a kid from the 651 potentially make his dreams come true and have the best shot at getting where he wants to be, I don’t know how you couldn’t support him. Follow your dreams Dorian Singer. MN has your back, and best of luck.
