Senior Profile: Josh Malin settles in on the OL
Previous: Chris Platt | Xavier Jones | Blake Blackmar | Jamie Jacobs | Greg Roberts | Patrick Lawrence
To say Josh Malin’s journey at Baylor has been easy or typical would be a lie.
In high school, Malin was a two-time all-state defensive lineman and rated the nations 40th best defensive tackle prospect by Scout, 62nd defensive end by 247Sports, and 65th defensive end by ESPN. He redshirted his freshman year and, subsequently, spent his redshirt freshman year recovering from foot surgery. When he finally emerged, Malin was on the other side of the ball.
During the 2016 season, Malin saw play in all 13 games as a reserve tight end. He would eventually move to the offensive line full time in Spring 2017 when he also was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Last season, we saw Malin in all 12 games with 2 starts; his first career start was as left tackle in the season opener vs Liberty and he also started at right tackle at TCU.
“This season I feel very prepared and ready for anything that comes at me,” Malin said. “Gotta take it one game as a time and we don’t have to worry about anything else.”
Josh Malin is from Cibolo, Texas and has completed his undergraduate degree in Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies.
Antonia’s Thoughts: I agree with the comments Grayson Grundhoefer and Briann Ethridge said in their Fast Friday on July 13; left tackle is where Malin will have the most success. With his size at 6-5, 304 and athleticism, he is another offensive lineman I am eager to see perform this season.
The trio of Blackmar, Lawrence, and Malin are the senior members of the o-line. I believe there are ways that they can rearrange to where they are all playing at the same time. However, those scenarios might not arise. For one thing, there is some talk about Malin and Jake Fruhmorgen, the transfer from Clemson, possibly battling for a starting job. Either way, I don’t see Malin staying on the bench for long in any circumstance.
Like with the other senior linemen that I have written for, both offensive and defensive, I am a strong believer in that it’s going to be all about how well they fit into whatever situation they are going up against. Malin’s case is no different; the talent is there and it’s up to him and the coaches to find his best fit.