YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

June 3rd, 2014 at 12:35 AM ^

His skills and confidence should grow as he camps with other top QBs, especially with his smarts and competitiveness. He'll gain a lot more than a kid who relies on a big arm.

guthrie

June 3rd, 2014 at 12:38 AM ^

Here's a tweet from Malzone after getting the invite.

@AlexMalzone: Won't be the last time I'm in a good mood driving home from Columbus #GoBlue

Wolverine Devotee

June 3rd, 2014 at 12:51 AM ^

By the time this kid graduates from Michigan, he'll have a dish named after him at Pizza House. The Malzone Calzone. 

Side note: I can't believe that the players coming in next year and from here on out will be younger than me. I feel old. 

In reply to by JTrain

MaximusBlue

June 3rd, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^

He's a proven winner with already a few championships under his belt with one more year to go. When I watched his film he didn't necessarily wow me with anything, but he just produces and wins. You need as much of that mentality as possible, especially at qb, to be a winning team.

Voltron Blue

June 3rd, 2014 at 1:13 AM ^

...is it will give him that much more clout when he recruits for Michigan.  It can only help him reel in other top talent around him, which he'll be surrounded by at these events.

 

ChiBlueBoy

June 3rd, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^

Can we stop with the negativity already? I'm just tired of every thread having multiple comments that basically amount to, "We're doomed in recruiting because we don't win enough." Last I checked, our recruiting the last few years has been pretty damn good, so the comments are without empirical basis that I can see. UM has a lot to offer, and plenty of quality players will sign up based on the education, experience, and, yes, the trust that we will round into shape as our excellent athletes gain experience and years.

MichiganMan14

June 3rd, 2014 at 2:25 AM ^

If we can land Boykin, Clark and Ty we will be in phenomenal shape on the offensive side of the ball. Throw in a couple 4 star tackles and you have a stud offensive class. I'm still hoping for either Roseboro or Lucien at the end spot and Osa Masina would set this defensive class off! We are in much better position than it appears. Weber and Harris do sting quite a bit with their affinity to our rivals but if we can counter with Ty Isaac and the aforementioned we will be golden. Go Blue!

Wolfman

June 3rd, 2014 at 3:08 AM ^

That is, of course, with all measureables being almost equal.  Although we aren't one of the Big Five, I don't think I'd be exaggerating in stating roughly 95% of Michigan h.s. football players,whether they finally decide to reside in E. L. rather than AA, grow up dreaming of an offer from UM.  There is obviously the occasional kid, a rarity really, that opts to go out-of-state while holding an offer from either of the two Michigan schools..                      ^Ideally, we would fill 90 % of our offer from in-state but, of course, that's not an option.  Home grown players understand the tradition and are aware of all the greats who put on Michigan uniforms before they did. They "Get It," especially the OSU game and are able to transfer the honor of donning that uniform to fellow signees from different parts of the country along with the difference between "Michigan effort," i.e., 8 helmets to the ball, the obligations to team and teammates alike as well as the privilege of Michigan.                  ^ I began watching UM football in '69 and although not certain whether Moorehead was from Michigan, I've had the privilege of watching Leach, Henson and Devin Gardner of course.  And although probably a resident of another state in the legal sense, Jim H. spent a great deal of his youth here and definitely shared the same dream.                                               ^I'm certainly proud of the great ones who have played qb at this school and then having gone on to the NFL. I can remember when Danielson stated during a game, "The most certain way to get drafted into the NFL is to start a game at QB at UM." And that was certainly true. Although Bo recruited Elvis and his Heisman winning teammate out of Cleveland, it was Mo who recognized the need for change and even though Denard ran an entirely different offense, Danielson's statement still holds true today. For a period we enjoyed such a glut at that position that even those who had started and later lost this spot to another, we were sending backup qbs, i.e., Dreisbach and Guitterez to the league.                                                        These were all great qbs but when watching the likes of Leach, Harbaugh, Henson and Devin, even though his particular teams may have struggled, it was apparent these young men played with a higher level of intensity and that winning for the Maize and Blue was of such paramount importance that whatever, respectively, they enjoyed other than playing QB at Michigan was a far, far distant second.  Even while playing injured, DG plays with such a competitive fire one cannot help but admire this young man.  We are all aware that this type of attitude becomes contagious and makes good teams great, such as those led by the first three names in the above list.  The same intensity with which all these players displayed will be shared by Morris after DG's departure and then Malzone when he takes the reigns which at this point in time appears to be a future certainty.  Just as certain as we are that the head man repeatedly tells the team all positions are of equal importance, so too are we aware that he repeatedly takes the QB aside throughout the season and reminds him as he goes so too does the team. Yes, certainly give me the greatest players in the nation but when we have two players vying for a spot on the roster at whatever position, give me the kid who can point to his hand and tell you where he grew up. 

rob f

June 3rd, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^

Completely agree with you on why we need to identify and get top recruits in-state, including at QB.  Not enough talent within our borders to completely stock the team that way, but kids that grew up learning about Michigan Football have a leg up on others that didn't.

Unfortunately, though, we now have a battle on our hands for a lot of the top Michigan highschoolers, as Dantonio and a few other B1G coaches (and Kelly at ND) have been able to take advantage of the on-field struggles we've seen for most of the last half-dozen seasons.  When the wins come more consistantly I have no doubt it'll swing back in the other direction some (even though I don't foresee the Spartans going away easy while MD is coaching there).

BTW, Don Moorhead is from South Haven and stayed in the SW Michigan area after his playing days were over, teaching and coaching.  I remember reading somewhere that he's now retired, but he had some success as Head Coach at Paw Paw HS for most of about 2 decades, as I recall.  He was one of the original "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions" that transitioned Michigan Football from Bump to Bo, leading that great '69 team to the Rose Bowl after the famous upset of "unbeatable" OSU.

rob f

June 3rd, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^

After posting the above ^^^ earlier about Don Moorhead, I decided to do a search, and found this 2011 "Where are they now" interview and update on MGoBlue.com regarding Moorhead.  Very good read on one of Michigan's great QB's:

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102611aad.html&sa=U&ei=5dONU_zIDdCWyASqn4LQBw&ved=0CAYQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGzCJuZnlVF1UZBYeiiFcNLNLuZcQ 

michchi85

June 3rd, 2014 at 10:14 AM ^

What will be huge with recruiting in general will be the fact that he can be the "leader" of this 2015 class.  He can make the quick trip to Ann Arbor when other high profile recruits are visiting to forge that relationship (which is he doing this weekend for Grant Newsome).  With an "all things being equal" aspect that you talk about, I completely agree that you would want a local kid.

Quailman

June 3rd, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^

I was thinking about that last night. With Shane, it was great having him so close to UM because he could seemingly always make it to campus for big events and visits by big recruits. It already sounds like Malzone is willing and able to do the same thing. Hopefully that leads to some good news regarding the targets Malzone mentioned like Boykin, Clark, et al.

Everyone Murders

June 3rd, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^

Funny how the guy to the left of Dilfer realizes he has a glass of red wine on the table, and tries to subtly pull it out of view of the camera.  It's at the very beginning of the video.

At least it wasn't a bong.

Space Coyote

June 3rd, 2014 at 8:07 AM ^

The more reps Malzone gets with improved technique, the better his chances of translating that to a game situation. Many kids show improved technique in a camp type setting, but they never really become comfortable with it completely and often revert to old techniques under pressure. Every chance Malzone gets these types of opportunities, where he'll have eyes on him to keep his technique consistently in check, the more likely he'll be able to translate it to the field.

So this, plus the opening, is quite a good sign for Malzone.

Champeen

June 3rd, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^

Couple questions for those in the know since i haven't followed football recruiting as much as in the distant past.

First, Malzone.  Why did we offer a bunch of QB's before him, when this guy basically got down on his hands and knees, bleeding blue for how long, and was indeed very good?  Did he just recently get that good, or do we lack qb evaluation skills on our staff?

Second, Ty Isaac (sp?).  So to add how frustrating it is to lose Campbell (IMO, not a big loss), probably Damien Harris to our friggin Rival (HUGE loss, HUGE, HUGE HUGE) and Crawford (potential big loss), we are now going after a RB that cant sniff near the top of USCs RB depth chart?  What happened when Michigan would land a top 5 RB every other year?  Is depth chart in fact the reason Ty is leaving USC, and does anyone know the real reason Harris dumped his lifetime beloved program UM for our rival?

IMO, Damien Harris and Crawford are extremely frustrating because they BOTH grew up HUGE MIchigan fans.  How the hell do we have them both committed at one time, then they both decommit and commit to ONE OF THEIR BELOVED SCHOOL's RIVALS!!!!  Campbell?  HUGE potential but HUGELY overrated.  No loss there IMO.

Something is just not right though on the recruiting front. Its not like Michigan has gone 4-9 and 6-7 under Hoke.

Space Coyote

June 3rd, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^

1. Michigan went after recruits that many have considered better prospects than Malzone. Particularly early. They swung for the fences, missed on some guys, and came back around and picked up a kid they like. Malzone isn't without flaws. It's not like he's a 5-star no-brainer QB that has no business not receiving an offer from everyone. He's a good QB Michigan was confident would commit, but they wanted to try their hand at a few prospects they had higher on their list. That's how this recruiting thing tends to work.

2. Isaac was 2nd on USC's depth chart, despite being injured to start the spring. He was likely going to be used as a short yardage back as well. But, and you admitted, you clearly don't pay attention to recruiting. Because USC's backfield is stacked. Along with Isaac (a high 4-star by the end), they picked up Justin Davis (four-star) in his class to go with kids already on the roster such as Tre Madden (4 star 2011), DJ Morgan (4 star 2010), and J Allen (4 star, 2011). On top of that, they had Silas Redd, a former All-B1G RB, who was a SR. The team was loaded at RB and Isaac came from a system that was very un-pro-style. He had a lot of feel and technique to learn, even for the RB position, and had plenty of talent around him. He was going to play this upcoming year as well. Isaac is leaving USC because his mom is sick. And Michigan just picked up the top RB in the class last year (making the every other year complaint odd). And Harris had close connections with Borges, and committed early. The kid was a Michigan fan, I would say they were his "beloved program" though, don't confuse the two.

Which you do again in the next line. For not following recruiting, you tend to get plenty of misinformation. Both were fans of Michigan. Crawford's dad was a big fan of Michigan. Crawford was also a fan of ND.

Lastly, look at the recent success of our rivals. MSU just won a Rose Bowl. OSU just went undefeated the last two regular seasons. ND just appeared in the MNC game two years ago. That's what these kids see. Them picking our rivals over Michigan shouldn't exactly be shocking or causing huge outrage. It has less to do with Hoke's record (though the hot seat talk isn't helping him, but that too is beyond just a one year record issue) and more to do with the success of the programs Michigan is directly recruiting against.

This post feels like a troll attempt in many ways though. Because it is filled with misinformation, slights against Michigan, and basically doom and gloom based on a few recruits going elsewhere (which happens at most schools, often times to an even more drastic degree).