Michigan Football Recruiting: Alex Malzone — 2015 Commit — Profile

Posted at 8:30am — 5/13/2014

Michigan Football Recruiting: Alex Malzone — 2015 Commit — Profile

GBMWolverine Readers: Here is an overview of recent verbal commitment Alex Malzone.

Alex Malzone becomes the 6th commit in the 2015 recruiting class.

Well, here we are again Wolverine fans, back to the past. Michigan again works out a somewhat unheralded quarterback, you know, one of those three-star guys that do not have the big national credentials. Unlike Wilton Speight, the coaching staff only had a short ride to view backyard quarterback Alex Malzone.

Right off the bat, understand this: there is much to like about Alex Malzone and a few items that spell some potential trouble. Let us get the “negatives” out of the way first. Unless everyone who has viewed Malzone is incorrect, he is not 6’ 3” in height. A pure pocket passer is sought after by arm and height. Malzone somewhat has one of the two traits listed above. His arm is not a rocket, in fact some rate it as under standard, but Malzone has a very quick release and much better than average accuracy. His second weakness is foot speed. A quarterback with his speed runs to avoid a loss as a last result. He will need strong line play to succeed.

Besides a decent arm, Malzone is off the charts on intangibles. He bleeds blue and is the type of student athlete who has been gravitating to Michigan the last few years. Coaches Nuss and Hoke pulled the trigger after strong personal workouts with an offer and Malzone smartly accepted.

Again, Michigan has reached out to a prospect from an elite private prep school. Malzone has a very high GPA and the scuttlebutt is that Alex is very high on the football smart meter. He also is one of those guys who can find a way to win. Malzone does not duck competition or fold his tent when adversity comes a calling.

Malzone is capable of rolling out and smartly pacing himself until he finds a receiver. He is also very willing to stay the course and remain in the pocket even if the big hit is fast approaching. This potential strength has to please the offensive staff of Michigan.

Alex Malzone
Height: 6’1
Weight: 205
Number: 12
Current Position: Quarterback
Future Position: Quarterback
City/State: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
High School: Brother Rice
Head Coach: Al Fracassa who retired after the season.
Future Head Coach: Dave Sofran
Recruiter: Coach Doug Nussmeier
Committed: 5/12/2014
Top 5 other Offers: Miami (OH), Pittsburgh, Toledo, Wake Forest, and Western Michigan.
40-Time: 5.13
20-yard Shuttle: 4.60
Vertical: 25″
GPA: 3.89
Class: 2015 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Verbal Commit).

Follow Alex: on Twitter

Rankings:

24/7: 3-star.
ESPN: 3-star.
Rivals: 3-star.
Scout: 4-star.

Note: Stars do matter, but are not absolute in predicting success within a football program. So, with that in mind the GBMWolverine Staff has cleverly come up with a new system of ranking. We are using footballs instead of stars, how can one argue against a system that clever? Below are the interpretations of football power predicted way too boldly long before it matters. In other words, we will give informed opinion with the crystal ball and let the players determine what will happen through years of hard work.

Criteria: Raw talent, athleticism, position of need, intangibles.

GBMWolverine Rankings: .

The staff is a little split between 6 1/2 and 7 footballs, not a big deal, only the future matters.

10 footballs: Instant impact player.
9 footballs: Three or four-year starter at a high level.
8 footballs: A starter with all league potential.
7 footballs: A meaningful starter at some time during a career.
6 footballs: A spot starter or special teams player.
5 footballs: Not in the two deep after a two years.
4 footballs: Never made it.
1-3 footballs: See the above.

Side Note:

Remember just as we did during the season with grading positions or groups we are very tough graders and expect a lot out of those positions or players so this is no different here.

Overview:

Alex quarterbacked perennial powerhouse Brother Rice to two State Championships. He threw for 2700 yards and 25 TDs as a junior. Alex threw for 2 TDs in the 2012 Championship game as a sophomore. He is a very good student with a reported 3.89 GPA.

Strengths:

Alex is well coached and a fundamentally sound high school quarterback. On film, he shows above average arm strength with a nice tight spiral (yes, others knock his arm strength). Alex possesses solid footwork that helps to make up for lack of foot speed.

However he is athletic enough to roll out of the pocket. Alex is fearless in the pocket and is willing to take a hit to complete the pass. The most impressive part of his game is his football knowledge.

Concerns/Needs Work:

Alex is not college ready, he needs plenty of work. But with two strong quarterbacks in classes ahead of him, Alex should receive this time- we can all name successful 6-foot quarterbacks. It will always be an issue. He is also not much of a threat to run. His mechanics need a bit or ironing out. Many baseball pitchers have the same issue.

Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?

GBMWolverine believes he will likely red-shirt his first year. There is no reason to even think about playing him with Shane Morris and Wilton, and Russell Bellomy on scholarship in front of him. This

Alex Malzone reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Former Wisconsin Football Player — Russell Wilson (WITHOUT good wheels) — who played quarterback.

Remember as well when we do these projections or comparison of a former Michigan or other team player it is based on when that player was at the same stage of his career as the profiles of the recruits we are doing. NOT what the player has become either at the college level or NFL level.

Video Highlights:

Final Thoughts:

We welcome Alex Malzone to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!