BBrown: Alex Malzone Update
Michigan has offered four quarterbacks in the 2015 class and all four of them are committed elsewhere. Coach Nussmeier is taking his time to evaluate the other signal callers in the class, one of them being Alex Malzone.
Malzone visited Michigan in the early part of March to check out a spring practice and to meet Coach Nuss for the first time. At that time Coach Nuss said that he'd like to see Alex throw in person before an offer became a possibility. That session is scheduled to take place once spring practices are finished.
Malzone's offer list has grown to nearly 10 offers and he told me that things are about to really start picking up. There are about 15 schools planning to watch him throw in person, Michigan included. Alex would like to commit some time in the month of May, but says that if his recruiting really starts to blow up, he might slow down a bit, take some other visits, and wait a little longer to make a decision. Malzone named Pitt and Wake Forest as early leaders but said that Michigan would be right up there if Coach Nuss decides he's worthy of an offer.
Maybe it is time for us to offer Alex. We need to pick up a QB because they seem to have a big pull in bring in other big recruits. I just can't believe we have not offered Kevin Dillman. I believe he has a lot of upside and we need to offer him.
I don't want a lesser QB just to start a class. It's too important of a position. I want Malzone to get an offer when the coaches are confident he can be successful here.
Our coaches have seen Malzone countless times, and he's visited campus over and over and over again. Obviously, he's lacking qualities they're looking for in a quarterback. This isn't a guy where they're thinking "Okay, we'll offer if he comes to campus or shows us interest."
If Michigan wanted him, they could have him. Unfortunately for him, they're looking elsewhere. It's the same thing as Berkley Edwards (minus the family connections). Now Malzone might get offered down the road, and I think he's a potential offeree if things don't unfold their way with some other prospects, but he's clearly down the list a ways.
At this point, they should make a determination on whether or not they believe he would fit in and be able to compete and then pull the trigger either way. This slow-playing is just going to bite them in the butt.
It's kind of weird. Malzone seems to begging for an offer, but not giving the new OC much time to assess him and the program in general. The kid wouldn't see the field for at least 3-4 years. It's a high risk/reward when offering multiple quarterbacks at any time, but in this case it seems especially rushed. The stakes are high because if we pass, he could very well be lighting us up in a few years for OSU, Purdue, or God forbid MSU. I've seen him play several times and his timing and accuracy are damn good. Don't feel qualified to assess his arm strength.
There is no "flyer of an offer" when you have a 13-16 man class and he's going to be the only QB in the class.
To stop second guessing one of the most successful OCs in college football who knows a lot more about football than any of us.
Yes, but how is his pad level? /s
I admittedly haven't watched much tape on Malzone. Does he have wheels similar to Shane? It sure would be nice to continue to have a QB who can run when needed. As successful as Mccarren was at Bama, without a bunch of superstars in the skill positions, I wouldn't see someone in that mold having the same success for Michigan. At least not until the OL issues get resolved.
Thanks for the update.
Based on a limited sample size of 1 game, I'd say no. Didn't scramble and easily got caught from behind in the game vs. De La Salle in what should have been either a game ending sack or intentional grounding.