With the tumultuous season that Michigan football has just endured, a number of recruits from the team’s 2015 recruiting class have decommitted. But one recruit who has given no indication of looking elsewhere for a scholarship is Brother Rice quarterback, Alex Malzone, who was named Mr. Football for the state of Michigan last week. Malzone committed to Michigan last May after being recruited by Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier, whose future with the team is also in jeopardy. Other than Michigan, Malzone’s best offers were from Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, and Toledo, but was also getting buzz from several other upper-echelon Big Ten programs, and was considered a four-star prospect by most recruiting services. If Malzone were to re-open the recruiting process, he would likely be a hot commodity for other schools in the Midwest. Though only a full two-year starter, Malzone has piled up some impressive numbers in his high school career. He has thrown for 6,254 yards and 69 touchdowns versus just 14 interceptions. He’s also contributed 203 yards on the ground (minus sack yardage) and 6 touchdowns as well. Malzone has also shown a clear and steady progression during his time at Brother Rice taking a bigger role on the field in each season. The results bear out the same on film for Malzone: his junior tape showed a mid-level four-star recruit, but his senior tape suggests he is a near five-star.
Arm Strength: B+
You don’t often see a quarterback who is smaller than ideal for the position, but still possesses the quality arm of Malzone; he is listed anywhere from 6’1 to 6’3 depending on whose measurements you go by, but is most likely on the lower end of the continuum.) As a sophomore, Malzone seemed to labor to push the ball 45 yards downfield, but as a junior and senior, he was able to push his limit to about 50 yards, and make those throws with more authority. With more weight training and physical development, Malzone could raise the bar to 55 yards. What is most impressive about his arm is that he can dial up the fastball when he needs to, zipping passes to the sideline and making tough throws over the middle. What was most concerning about Malzone in his early years as a starter was his tendency to pull the ball back when throwing and to release the football at a lower, unorthodox level (reminiscent of Baylor’s Bryce Petty). As a senior, however, Malzone’s arm action looked much more orthodox and had a higher release point, which can help avoid passes being deflected at the line in college and in the pros. It is very difficult for a quarterback to rework his throwing mechanics, and the fact that Malzone appears to have done so last year is impressive.
Accuracy: A-
Malzone shows very good accuracy as a passer and is particularly impressive on downfield throws. He is able to drop the ball in a bucket on vertical routes and shows a great amount of touch and trajectory on his throws to get them over defenders and to his man. Malzone’s footwork is also impressive at this stage, as he almost always sets his feet before making throws from the pocket. Malzone does not have elite placement on his throws but does not often force his receivers to adjust to the ball and can throw the ball to where his receivers are going to be in their routes. This is certainly Malzone’s best trait as he is possibly one of the more accurate quarterbacks in this year’s national class.
Athleticism: D
Malzone is neither Denard Robinson nor Devin Gardner in terms of athleticism; he’s a definite pocket passer. While he was able to scramble and manufacture yards at high school, it’s not something he will be able to do with any regularity in college. Malzone just did not show the type of speed in high school that is needed to make a difference at the next level. He can use a weak juke move, but it will be difficult for him succeed outside of the pocket in college. However, he was used a lot on bootlegs and rollouts and has experience as a ballhandler, both from out of the gun and from under center. Malzone fared well when he was forced to throw on the run, but it would be nice for him to set his feet or at least stay balanced when making those throws. As a senior he also showed more self-preservation as a runner, using the sideline to keep himself from taking a big hit and to help avoid unnecessary injury.
Mental Makeup: B+
Malzone is a smart player on the field and has the tools between the ears to succeed. He is able to go through all of his progression when he is given time in the pocket and is able to scan both sides of the field. Malzone is a very good decision-maker and has improved during his time at Brother Rice in this department, throwing only 5 interceptions his senior year, down from 9 the year before. His internal clock and awareness in the pocket has also improved during his career. Malzone looked almost aloof in the pocket as a sophomore, but has shown he can slide around in the pocket and avoid pressure while still keeping his eyes downfield and making reads. His poise as a passer is impressive and overall he has the makings of a starter in the Big Ten.
Bottom Line:
Malzone is not a perfect prospect, but he has all of the things you like to see from a potential starting quarterback. He likely will have an opportunity to battle redshirt freshman Wilton Speight and junior Shane Morris, should he return, for the starting quarterback gig at Michigan this spring. Malzone has plenty of potential and I wouldn’t rule him out as a draft prospect in several years. Overall, I think he compares favorably to former college quarterbacks Kellen Moore of Boise State or even Drew Brees of Purdue.
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