Malik Rucker, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior defensive back from Robbinsdale Cooper, is one of the top defensive players from the Class of 2013 in the state. Rucker attended the Minnesota Junior Day this past weekend.
Malik Rucker, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior defensive back from Robbinsdale Cooper, is one of the top defensive players from the Class of 2013 in the state. Rucker attended the Minnesota Junior Day this past weekend and filled GopherHole.com on the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: How was the Minnesota Junior Day?
Malik Rucker: It was very good. When we first came in, we got an introduction from the staff. After that, we went to position meetings, where we sat and talked about what they expect from us and who they think are scholarship players and who fits the description. After that, we went on a tour, but I didn’t really get a chance to do it because I was talking to the DB coach and I talked to Coach Kill in his office.
Gopher Hole: What did they talk to you about?
Malik Rucker: Basically, about the potential offer.
Gopher Hole: Did they offer you or do you think that you might be getting an offer?
Malik Rucker: I think that I am going to get one.
Gopher Hole: What other schools are you hearing from right now besides Minnesota?
Malik Rucker: I have offers from South Dakota State and North Dakota and I am hearing from Nebraska, who basically told me to come down there and they’ll offer me. They just want to get in contact with me in person. Iowa said the same thing. I am going to Iowa State this weekend and Iowa. I went to Wisconsin’s Junior Day. I am talking to Washington, Oklahoma State, Michigan State and Connecticut. I am talking to a lot of schools.
Gopher Hole: Did you go to many football camps last summer?
Malik Rucker: I didn’t go to any camps.
Gopher Hole: Do you know what camps you want to go to this summer?
Malik Rucker: I am going to the Five Star Showcase in April in Cincinnati. I am going to try to go to Michigan State and the U of M. I’m not really sure. I’ve been told to go to a few of them.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to you to get an offer from Minnesota?
Malik Rucker: It would mean a lot because I grew up being a Gopher fan. I’ve been in Minnesota my whole life and it would be a blessing to play for them.
Gopher Hole: If they did offer you, do you think that you might even commit or do you want to look at other schools besides Minnesota?
Malik Rucker: I’m not sure yet. I don’t think that I would commit right away, but they would be on my top list. That is for a fact
Gopher Hole: What position are most schools looking at you playing in college?
Malik Rucker: Corner.
Gopher Hole: Are you playing on the offensive side this season for Cooper?
Malik Rucker: I’m playing wide receiver.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for Cooper this upcoming season? I know that you were a young team last year.
Malik Rucker: State.
Gopher Hole: Have you been working together this winter to get ready for next fall?
Malik Rucker: We have been going at it and being competitive with each other. We just push each other, so I think that we will be pretty good. We have three DBs (myself, LeRoy Taylor and Billy Kellogg) coming back and we were all at the U of M Junior Day, so that is good.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a player?
Malik Rucker: Reading plays and getting to the ball.
Gopher Hole: What about things you want to work on to improve yourself as a player?
Malik Rucker: Make more big plays.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that playing wide receiver helps you as a defensive back because you know what receiver are going to do or try to do against you?
Malik Rucker: Yes. I am pretty sure that I know most of the route that these receivers are going to run. I can tell most of the time. I want to work on my man coverage. I need to get better at everything. The main thing is to make bigger plays.
Gopher Hole: How did the Gophers leave things when you left on Saturday?
Malik Rucker: Basically, just come to spring practice. Come around as much as I can. Keep in contact with Coach Kill. Basically, just keep in contact and make sure I come up there during spring practice and get in meetings with them and come to the camp.
Gopher Hole: They received a commitment from Keelon Brookins of Tartan over the weekend. Do you know him.
Malik Rucker: I talked to him at the Junior Day. I think that we used to run track against each other.
Gopher Hole: Are playing any other sports at Cooper?
Malik Rucker: I am running track this year. The 100 , 200 and maybe 400.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that helps you a lot that you run track since speed is very important to a defensive back?
Malik Rucker: Yes. I think it helps a lot, especially with my downhill speed and attacking the ball.
Gopher Hole: Do you come from a sports or football family?
Malik Rucker: My dad (Charles) and my brother (Xavier) played at Nebraska. My cousin played at Iowa State. His name is Alexander Robinson (a former running back from DeLaSalle). Bryce McNeal is my cousin.
Gopher Hole: Are you also working on getting stronger?
Malik Rucker: Yes. I am getting stronger. It is just the weight thing. I work out every day and I get stronger, but it is hard for me to put on the weight.