A Look at Rocket Commit Malcolm Riley

Just before Christmas Rocket Digest added Snider High School defensive tackle Malcolm Riley to the Rocket 2008 football commitment list. Riley is just what Rocket fans have been waiting to hear about: a defensive tackle that can step in right away and make a difference on the Rocket defense.

Shortly before Christmas the Toledo Rockets received a verbal commitment from defensive tackle Malcolm Riley. The 6-3, 240 pounder from Snider High School in Fort Wayne, IN is just what the Rockets need in this recruiting class. Last season injuries to a couple of starting defensive lineman exposed a lack of quality depth on the line, and Riley is just what the doctor ordered.

Riley had 74 tackles with 6 sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior at Snider High School in 2007. He was named All Conference for the 2nd straight year, and named to several different All State teams including IFCA, AP, and Herald Telephone Top 33.

"Malcolm is the best player on our defense," said Snider High School Defensive Coordinator Kurt Tippmann. He added, "he was dominant on the line of scrimmage in every game and against the best players."

Malcolm did not have any other offers when he committed to Toledo, but he had already visited both Toledo and Central Michigan as both schools were really interested in the defensive tackle. Tippmann said, "Toledo was the first to offer and he accepted immediately."

University of Toledo recruiting coordinator Doug Downing had been recruiting Riley for two years, and finally extended an offer to Riley shortly before Christmas.

Kurt Tippmann coached Riley as the defensive coordinator at Snider High School, and said that Malcolm is a very coachable player who is a good student. "He places tremendous value in acquiring knowledge," said Tippmann. "He is unique in that he plays with high intensity and with great technique," concluded Tippmann.