3-star DL Malik Blocton announces top 10 schools

Pike Road (Ala.) three-star defensive lineman Malik Blocton announced his top 10 schools on Monday. They are Alabama, Auburn, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Blocton is the No. 474 overall prospect and No. 40 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 25 player in Alabama.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound defender has visited four of his finalists in Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida. Auburn (March 3/Jan. 16), Clemson (Jan. 28) and Florida (March 24/Jan. 21) have all hosted him this year. Meanwhile, Blocton last visited Alabama on Nov. 26.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Auburn is leading for Blocton’s commitment at 52.5%. Blocton told Corey Bender of Gators Online that Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Texas are recruiting him the hardest.

Blocton breaks down a few of his finalists

According to his comments to Cole Pinkston of Auburn Live, Blocton has been very impressed by Auburn’s new staff and especially defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett. As a result, the Tigers’ coaching change “probably moved” them up in his recruitment.

“It was fun, the energy out there was high,” Blocton said to Pinkston about his March visit to the Tigers. “It was a real fun practice.”

Blocton also enjoyed his visit to Florida last month. While in Gainesville, he met with multiple staffers, such as new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong and defensive line coach Sean Spencer.

“I went and toured the academics (facilities); I went through a photoshoot, and that was pretty much it,” Blocton told Bender. “Also, I walked through the facilities. I came a little bit later than everyone, so I was really by myself.

“It’s an amazing campus. Everything is so close and right there; you don’t have to go far to get anything.”

Meanwhile, Alabama only offered Blocton in January. However, the Crimson Tide have made up some ground, since they were not one of Blocton’s top 12 schools.

Alabama’s main recruiter of Blocton is defensive line coach Freddie Roach. The three-star likes the Crimson Tide’s “winning culture” and the chance to be developed by a great program, per his comments to Joseph Hastings of BamaInsider on March 14.

“He was like, ‘If you want to win, come to Bama,'” Blocton said of Roach’s message to him. “‘If you want to go to the league, come to Bama.'”