SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT: Zach Malpica Is A Throwback

While so many recruiting services and fan websites are consumed with gravitating toward star-rated prospects, we have – for many decades – put the focus on those athletes who aren’t on the radar and haven’t received the attention that those “no-brainers” have been getting for years, even during the pandemic. While our objective – for 50 plus years – has been directed toward promoting, evaluating and ranking players – we also make sure that our objective is to see as many football prospect at camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, practices and games than any other source. Going to special teams showcases and attending line camps, which are not deemed “sexy” to those who follow the sport, is what has long separated us from anyone else who does it. Knowing about 4-and-5 stars football prospects is easy – because they are all over the internet. Athletes who nobody knows about need to be watched live – and that is where Shannon Jordan and . Recruiting is not hard. But getting out and seeing thousands and thousands of prospects and projecting what many could be in the near future is the toughest thing you can do. THE MALPICA FILE Zach Malpica POSITION: LB/Athlete CLASS: 2022 SCHOOL: Cape Coral Ida Baker HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 240 HEAD COACH: Chuck Faucette WHAT ARE COACHES MISSING: When young athletes of today hear the word “throwback” – they believe they understand the meaning, but they don’t. The word is thrown around too loosely – and while everyone who appears to be tough and one of those “win at all cost” kind of prospects, being a throwback player is more than how many positions you play, but how you play them. Here is someone who is indeed a football talent who could have played in an era – and not because he is a gifted talent, but he is the total package, getting it done on both sides of the ball. Because southwest Florida is not well exposed to college coaches – especially during the past 15 months – getting the talent out there, in front of the right people – in game conditions – has not been easy. But things will change as Covid continues to ease. What you get in a player like this is someone who has been around the game all of his life – with football in the family’s lineage. You learn as you go. An aggressive linebacker (56 tackles in 2020) who makes plays all over the field – while playing fullback or doing what is needed to help this program continue to turn the corner in a competitive region. This All-State standout, who gets it done on the football field, also makes it happen in the classroom – where he holds down a 3.25 GPA. Zach also is a weight-room guy, as he is one of the strongest on a team that continues to make some strides each season. Once college coaches start to watch him actually play this fall, they will be impressed. Too much talent not to be impressed! SEE FOR YOURSELF: https://www.hudl.com/profile/5406177/Zach-Malpica TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.