Malik Zaire
Introducing, the Lefty, QB Malik Zaire
Vitals———-Lifts——–Runs/Jumps
6’1″ 185-190—————-Shuttle 4.4
3.0 GPA——————–40yrd 4.9
Kettering, OH—————Vertical 28.5 inches
Rankings:
ESPNU 176th epsn 300 #5 POS #23 Regional #9 State
Rivals 4 star #7 QB #136 Overall
Scout 4 star #13 QB
247Sports 4 star #6 OH #4 Dual-threat QB #117 Overall
Accolades
Elite 11
GCL North Athlete of the Year
Division-III Second-Team All-Southwest District selection in 2011.
Recruited by : Mike Elston, Chuck Martin
Other Offers:Arizona, Northwestern, Indiana, Boston College, Nebraska, Miami(oh), Ohio State, Pitt, Wisconsin, Alabama, Illinois, Akron, Cincinnati
Favorite Quote: “I know this is going to be a challenge, as I’ll be going into college and competing against three or four guys.” Zaire said. “However, at the same time I didn’t look at anything and feel I couldn’t beat it. I know it’s early, but it didn’t look like anything that was too special or something I would have to wait a year for.”
Seer’s Vision: Another nice pickup at QB. Kelly said he would recruit a QB every year, and he’s doing well. I believe picking up all those lineman has to help. I think that having a line and a QB early in this class will help immensely toward recruiting other skill positions this year, which is always a need. One of the top dual threat QBs of this class, taken directly from Urban Liar. From what I’ve read this young man may have the patience to wait, but is confident he won’t have to wait for his shot. When he becomes Irish he may transfer if he has to wait behind Kiel, Golson, Hendrix or all of them. He might wait for his shot. Or, maybe he will switch positions. Watching his film he’s got great patience not normally attributed to a running QB. He will keep his eyes down field until the last moment, even taking some shots to deliver the ball. He’s got what’s look like happy feet, but given he keeps his eyes down field it may just be his style. So footwork potentially a question, but Peyton Manning sometimes looks like he has happy feet and he’s done pretty well. The films show he’s got all the throws at the high school level. Escapability is a word that’s been used to describe this kid before. He’s going to need to bulk up or learn to avoid hits sliding/going out of bounds if he’s going to be able to take the shots he’ll get at the next level. He’s got the tools to compete at a deep QB position. He’s a great fit for the mobile QB version of Kelly’s offense. Given his beaming talk about the opportunity being special, and the fact that Aaron Lynch has already told him everything negative there is about South Bend, and he is still ready to be Irish; I think that we’ve got an excellent chance of holding this one down as well. 90%.
