Focus '09: Malek Redd

River Hill High School certainly has had and will have absolutely no problem getting production out of their offensive backfield with three quality athletes in the stable at running back this season. Among those three is Malek Redd, a diminutive, but speedy ball carrier with definite Division I potential.

Upcoming junior Malek Redd rounds out an impressive running back trio alongside of Zach Martin and Michael Campanaro at River Hill High School that combined for 3249 yards and 36 touchdowns on 392 carries last year. While Redd may not possess ideal size at a mere 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, he does run a legit 4.47 40-yard dash and has the moves to make people look silly in the open field. We spoke to the Clarksville, Md., native about which schools have already been in contact and how he spent his summer months.

“The only school I camped at was Maryland although I did go to several combines including the Scout.com Combine,” Redd said. “I have already been contacted by Virginia, Pittsburgh, Illinois and Connecticut and have always liked Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia and North Carolina, so I am hoping to hear from them in recruiting.”

“Maryland camp went really well and their running backs coach said that he really likes my speed and what I can do with the ball in my hands,” Redd explained. “Coach (Dave) Sollazzo is my recruiter and I like him a lot because he just has a great personality. I grew up a fan of Maryland and they are close to home. I also like all of the sports teams there and they are a program that is on the rise again, so I definitely have a lot of interest in the Terps.”

“It is really early right now obviously, so I don’t know exactly what I am looking for, but I can say that I would like to stay close to home,” Redd stated. “My relationship with the coaching staff at a school and the academics are also very important to me.”

Redd shared carries with two other quality players as a sophomore, but managed 600 yards and four touchdowns on the 50 he did have. He played sparingly on the defensive side of the ball, but did intercept two passes.