4-star LB Malik Morris down to six schools

Six schools have made the cut for Lakeland (Fla.) four-star linebacker Malik Morris, one of the top prospects at his position in the 2026 cycle.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder told On3 on Tuesday that Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Missouri and Texas A&M are his top schools.

Morris is the No. 180 overall prospect and No. 10 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 24 player in Florida.

The two-time state champion has seen contenders emerge in his recruitment and he’s now moving into the next phase as he prepares for his senior campaign. Morris took multiple spring visits and is now whittling things down further between a quintet of SEC schools and the Hurricanes.

Florida is currently trending to keep Morris close to home, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Three predictions have been logged this year in favor of head coach Billy Napier and the Gators landing the blue-chipper.

“Florida fits right in my heart, man,” Morris previously told Gators Online. “I like a lot of places, but Florida fits in my heart. It’s just something special. I’m taking these trips and getting the experiences.”

Morris has official visits locked in with both in-state schools. He’ll get back to Coral Gables on the weekend of May 30, while his return trip to Gainesville is set for the weekend of June 13. Texas A&M is another program that’s been heavily in the mix and is expected to get him back to College Station for an OV.

“Miami’s doing good,” Morris told CaneSport last month. “I wouldn’t leave Miami out of the picture. That’s all I can say. I wouldn’t leave them out.”

Morris plays for one of the top high school football programs in Florida. In 2024, Lakeland won 13 games a season ago and nearly won its third state title in a row, falling in the 5A championship game against St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Dreadnaughts finished as a top-100 program nationally and were also the No. 7 team in the Sunshine State, per the On3 Composite Rankings. Morris racked up nearly 100 total tackles as a junior and will play a key role on the Lakeland defense again this fall. He continues to work towards his college decision and will now look for more separation among his top six schools.