Miami Hurricanes Land Highly Sought after 2016 CB/WR Malek Young
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Coconut Creek High School was loaded with Class of 2016 defensive talent during the 2015 season. The back seven included 4-star Trayvon Mullen (uncommitted), 3-star Alexy Jean-Baptiste (Arkansas), and 3-star Malek Young. Young was also part of a one-two punch on offense with uncommitted 4-star wide receiver Binjimen Victor. While Mullen and Victor remain uncommitted, Miami landed one of the biggest recruits in the Mark Richt era landing Victor on Friday.
Young’s star ranking power did not do him justice after playing ironman football pulling down 35 passes for 684 yards with 10 touchdowns. He added 274 rushing yards off 52 carries with three additional scores and had 35 tackles on defense with four tackles for a loss. The more telling stat line about the Florida native’s abilities are seen in the scholarship offer column where he has over 30 offers that includes top programs like Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Temple, UCLA, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan.
The U.S. Army All-American selection had an apparent Top 4 of Ohio State, South Carolina, Clemson, and Miami. On Jan. 14, Young named Miami his leader just one day before he was supposed to officially visit Clemson. The Buckeyes hosted Young on Oct. 16, with Miami scheduled to host him on Jan. 22 and South Carolina getting that all-so important final visit on Jan. 29.
Young was a one-time cornerback commit to Georgia reuniting with new Miami head coach Mark Richt in south Florida instead of in Athens. Young committed to Canes’ cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph.
Miami’s class has a lot of room to grow with just 15 verbal commitments heading towards National Signing Day. The heaviest early attention has been at the skill positions on both sides of the ball. The biggest areas of need are up front on both sides of the ball. The Canes have two defensive end commits but no defensive tackles and no offensive linemen.
Miami 2016 Verbal Commitment List
SS James Wiggins, 5’10”, 185 lbs, South Dade HS, Miami, FL
CB Tyler Byrd, 5’11”, 160 lbs, Naples HS, Naples, FL
CB Deion Jackson, 6’1”, 170 lbs, Hallandale HS, Hallandale, FL
CB/WR Malek Young, 5’9”, 173 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, FL
DE Patrick Bethel, 6’3”, 244 lbs, Vero Beach HS, Vero Beach, FL
DE Joseph Jackson, 6’6”, 245 lbs, Gulliver Prep HS, Miami, FL
LB Zach McCloud, 6’2”, 215 lbs, Santaluces HS, Lantana, FL
LB Mike Pinckney, 6’0”, 213 lbs, Raines HS, Jacksonville, FL
LB Shaquille Quarterman, 6’0”, 235 lbs, Oakleaf HS, Orange Park, FL
QB Jack Allison, 6’5”, 180 lbs, Palmetto HS, Palmetto, FL
RB Travis Homer, 5’9”, 185 lbs, Oxbridge Academy, West Palm Beach, FL
WR Sam Bruce, 5’8”, 178 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
WR Michael Irvin, 6’2”, 200 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
WR Dionte Mullins, 5’11”, 183 lbs, Gulliver Prep, Miami, FL
ATH Cedrick Wright, 5’9”, 180 lbs, Gulliver Prep, Miami, FL
Photo credit: usatoday.com; No. 6 Malek Young tracks down a ball carrier for the Cougars.