Rivals100 DE Malick Sylla is the first 2022 commitment for Texas A&M
A little more than 24 hours removed from a state championship, Rivals100 defensive end Malick Sylla has taken another step forward in his recruitment.
The Katy (Texas) four-star edge-defender committed to Texas A&M on Sunday night. LSU, Clemson and Texas were also in the mix for Sylla, who is currently tabbed as the nation's No. 92 overall player and the No. 3 weak-side defensive end.
The Aggies have made a habit out of scooping up blue-chip talent from the Greater Houston Area. Class 5A Division II champion Katy has a handful of junior prospects high on Texas A&M’s wish list, including Sylla.
"They have a tradition of good defensive ends and Coach (Terry) Price knows what he's doing. That might be where I need to go!" Sylla told Rivals in November on the Aggies.
"I feel like it's a good fit for my style of play and I'm trying to build a great recruiting class," he told Rivals on Sunday after becoming Texas A&M's first 2022 commitment. "Also, I like the coaching staff a lot."
After signing two of the state’s top defensive ends in Tunmise Adeleye and Shemar Turner in 2021, Texas A&M’s first commitment in 2022 is from Sylla — another highly talented prospect who plays the same position. Credit Terry Price and Elijah Robinson for their efforts recruiting Sylla.
An intriguing edge-rusher from Houston area powerhouse Katy, Sylla is especially long (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) with a background in track -- in the triple-jump -- as well as football.
Sylla had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2019 when he made 7.0 TFL and recorded 4.0 sacks. He's explosive off the line and bends extremely well. Sylla is easily able to penetrate the backfield and has a tendency for splash plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Even when Sylla isn't able to finish, he's able to effect plays with pressure. His length and motor doesn't go unnoticed. His length and wingspan (85 inches) is more than enough to cloud opposing quarterbacks' vision and swat down pass attempts at the line of scrimmage.
Before missing the final few playoff games and the championship for Katy, Sylla continued to add power to his game and improved his ability to shed blockers.
The ceiling for Sylla -- a raw, talented and long-framed defensive end -- is enormous as he gains more strength and fills out his frame.
