Georgia the latest to enter the race for On3 top-50 prospect Malcolm Ziglar
Fuquay Varina (N.C.) High four-star safety Malcolm Ziglar committed to North Carolina earlier this summer, choosing the Tar Heels over South Carolina, Notre Dame, Duke and more.
“That feeling at North Carolina was just different for me,” Ziglar told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I liked South Carolina a lot too, it is in the SEC, but the conference doesn’t make the players, the coaches do. Being able to stay home, play in my home-state and be close to my family made a big difference in my decision.”
Despite his pledge to Mack Brown and Co., Ziglar is still receiving offers, including a major one on Thursday morning from the University of Georgia.
The coveted safety has now emerged as a top target for the Bulldogs, who lost out on Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden last month and also saw four-star safety commit Peyton Woodyard flip to Alabama. Georgia doesn’t currently have a safety committed in its No. 1 overall recruiting class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Malcolm Ziglar Recruiting Profile
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is the No. 164 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 11 safety and the No. 3 recruit in North Carolina.
On3 is drastically higher on him than other recruiting services though, tabbing him as the nation’s No. 39 recruit and No. 4 safety in the latest On300 rankings.
The On3 Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“One of the most physically-gifted defensive backs in the 2024 cycle, pairing high-end size, an elite frame and plus speed to manifest in a high upside prospect. Has an ideal physical build with extreme length, a big frame. Lean with significant muscle mass for this stage. Measured at 6-foot-1.5 and over 190 pounds prior to his senior season. Arm length over 33-inches and 10.5-inch hands make for unique dimensions. Pairs that size with very strong marks as a sprinter in track and field. Ran a personal best of 10.79 seconds in the 100 meters as a junior. The physical attributes transfer over to the field, where he lines up as a cornerback and safety on Friday nights. Has some of the better ball production among 2024 defensive backs, picking off six passes along with six more pass breakups in 2022.
… Makes opposing quarterbacks pay, feasting on errant throws. Returned three interceptions for scores. Becomes an offensive player on interception returns. Shows palpable play speed with a burst that stands out among his blue-chip peers. Shows an understanding for body positioning in coverage. Boxes out receivers when the ball is in the air. Also sees time on offense as a pass-catcher and ball carrier and is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Will need to continue increasing his level of physicality, particularly if he ends up as a safety long-term. The physical traits and ball production point to a high upside given continued development and progression as a tackler and physical presence.”