Interview: 4-Star 2022 DE Mathias Malaki-Donaldson Updates Workouts and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There may not be another person as ready to showcase their skills during the 2020 season than defensive end Mathias Malaki-Donaldson. Malaki was limited to three games during the 2019 season with Narbonne High School, but did enough to intrigue college football scouts earning six offers thus far. When the 6-5, 220-pound, defender takes the field this season, the four-star recruit will be doing so with California powerhouse Oaks Christian colliding against very tough competition in the Marmonte League.
In an RNG first-look interview, Malaki sat down for a quick one-on-one covering his offseason workouts with an update on his growing recruiting options.
Interview
Mathias, when the 2019 season ended with Narbonne what did you feel were the overall strengths to your game as a defensive end?
My speed and my football IQ.
What front were you playing in last season?
A four-man front.
On January 28 you announced that you were transferring to Oaks Christian, what scheme will you execute with the Lions?
They also run a four-man front.
When the 2020 season kicks off, what roles will you be taking on with the Lions?
I will be playing defensive end switching over from a standup to a hand in the ground end. It all depends on the play.
Since the season ended, what have you been doing to add more power and strength to your game?
This offseason I have been working out with different trainers for skills and hand-eye coordination. I have also been lifting weights to help with my burst off the line and I have been working on my hand movement.
What have you been doing to increase your speed and agility?
I have been doing footwork drills and getting on one leg bursting off to help with my get off on the line.
Which areas of your game have you concentrated on improving with your technique and skill?
For that I have been working with different coaches. They are teaching me different hand moves to use for getting off the ball and on down and distance. I have been working on my football IQ as well. We do this drill where you are running around in a circle, you have to do a certain hand move at different points. We call it the gauntlet; it teaches me what moves to do at different points.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
My parents and coaches handle all that.
How many offers do you have now?
Six.
Malaki-Donaldson’s Offer Sheet: Colorado, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Kansas, LSU, and Tennessee
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Tennessee was the latest; that was a few days ago.
Did you take any unofficial visits before the campuses were shut down?
Yes, I took an unofficial to USC
How did the visit to USC go for you? What all did you do?
I talked to the coaches and got to feel the program out. I got to see how they run their program as a whole.
When the opportunity presents itself again, are there any visits you’d like to take?
After the pandemic is over, I would like to visit schools that have offered me and many others as well.
Mathias, thanks for your time today and good luck the rest of the summer preparing for the upcoming season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Malaki-Donaldson family; Mathias Malaki-Donaldson