Prior to writing this evaluation I was familiar with Malachi Lewis Malachi Lewis 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Montclair | 2024 FL ‘ season (141 of 227 for 2220 yards 26 TDs, 6 Ints, 74/233/5 on the ground), as the junior was a top signal caller leading the Mounties on a deep playoff run. Now that I have watched his film, I am unsure how many 2025 public school quarterbacks in New Jersey are better than him.

Mobility-wise, Lewis moves in the pocket and is a dual-threat who looks to pass first. He has the savviness in the pocket to set up better throwing angles/windows and moves up in the pocket as the rush comes at him. When forced to, Lewis is an athlete who can scramble for big plays – with his feet or through the air. He keeps his eyes down field when he breaks the pocket and roams in the comfort of open, green grass holding the ball until the last possible moment before he must decide what to do with it. Blessed with prototypical size for the position, he is large enough to absorb contact when running with the ball and possesses the arm strength to hit just about any spot on the field. Moreover – and perhaps most impressively – like a veteran, Lewis puts touch on the ball where few of his throws look the same. Seeking the big play, he loves to stretch the field vertically. With many skillsets and abilities already harnessed, I can only hope to see more of what Lewis is capable of. Colleges will salivate over him should he feature highlights of him running read-option and going through his progression.

One of my favorite QBs of the state, Bubba Lewis led Montclair to a phenomenal season this fall and will look to extend that success into 2024. Leading his team to a narrow loss against Passaic Tech in the sectional finals, Bubba has the potential to take his team all the way next season.

Throwing for 2220 yards and 26 touchdowns, Bubba demonstrated qualities you don’t find often in a QB. With a good frame for the position and athleticism to go with it, Bubba is a worry for any defensive coordinator he faces. It is not easy to predict where Bubba is going with the ball; he is able to look defenders away to clear space for his receivers. A player that consistently throws dimes, give Bubba some looks this offseason.

In a much closer game than the 34-27 final would indicate, Montclair achieved a few upsets along the way to earn the right face Passaic County Tech. Unfortunately their Cinderella season would come to a halt at the hands of the North’s #1 seed. In this one, Lewis placed absolutely lights out to conclude his junior season. Lewis was an efficient 23 of 30 for 326 yards. Lewis also threw for 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. In a bit of trickery, he also hauled in a pass for 5 yards.

Malachi “Bubba” Lewis has been a gem in Montclair. The junior QB came in this year with a new tea and has not looked back. With great size and an extremely quick release, Bubba is dialed in when he is in the pocket and can pick coverages apart.  Bubba has found the end zone 21 times through the air this year and is inching towards 2000 passing yards on the season. Montclair is going up against by far the toughest opponent yet this season in Passaic Tech. Bubba and Co. will have to play a near perfect game to hand Passaic Tech their first loss of the season. Montclair trusts in Bubba, and he is a player that will gain a lot of attention over this next offseason.

Lewis led his team to a 42-27 victory on the road at East Orange last week. In an extremely efficient game, Lewis was 17 of 21 for 237 yards. Efficiency aside, he threw 4 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. In doing so Lewis surpassed 1000 yards through the air on the season and has a 14:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Montclair is now 5-1 on the year.