New Kansas Head Coach Charlie Weis continues to bolster the talent of the Jayhawks roster with fierce recruiting by a staff known for their abilities to lure in top notch talent. One of the players near the top of Kansas’ wish list is New Hope, Minnesota defensive back Malik Rucker .
Standing at 6-foot and weighing in at 170-pounds, Malik is a lean player who runs a 4.48 40-yard dash and uses his superior athleticism to pester would-be receivers in the secondary. Though many consider him an “athlete”, Rucker says Kansas coaches have a good idea of where they want to plug him in.
Though Rucker’s main recruitment has been done by Wide Receivers Coach Rob Ianello, Kansas coaches see Rucker as a defensive back. Rucker has played several positions for Robbinsdale Cooper High School but despite spending most of his time at the safety position says he’s open to whatever the coaching staff asks of him.
“I don’t have a preference”, Rucker tells TheShiver.com. “If I come {to Kansas} and fit in better at corner than I’ll play corner. If I fit better at safety I’ll play safety.”
But what Rucker does best is utilize his speed and instincts which is something that Jayhawks Defensive Coordinator Dave Campo stressed a lot during spring practice. Campo is looking for players that can play in space which could be Rucker’s best skill.
“I get to roam around more”, Rucker says about playing the safety position. “That’s why I think I’m back there—to get sideline to sideline.”
Rucker attended Kansas’ Spring Game in April and says he enjoyed meeting with Coach Campo.
“It’s fun to talk to {Coach Campo}”, says Rucker. “He’s got a lot of energy, like he’s thirty {years old} or something. We just talked about Kansas and he thinks I’ll fit in good.”
Just one of 14 schools to make a scholarship offer to Rucker, Kansas could have a long wait before knowing if their recruitment efforts have paid off. Rucker says he has not narrowed down his choices yet but has a good idea of what he is looking for.
“I would like to see how the coaches coach and also talk to some of the players that have signed already to see how they get treated after they have signed. I would just like to see the atmosphere and academic support.”
Though Rucker continues to entertain and sift through his offers, he says Kansas showed him plenty to be excited about.
“I’ve got a good feeling about {Kansas}”, says Rucker. “I liked their facilities and liked how they ran their spring game and how coach Campo runs his defense”.
Rucker has been competing in multiple events with his high school track team since football season ended and will travel to Texas in July to compete with U-19 Team USA Football. Though he has no timetable for when his decision will be made Rucker says it won’t turn into a Lebron style “Decision”.
“I don’t think I’ll wait that long but I’m really not sure when it will be”, says Rucker. “I know it won’t be on signing day or anything”.
