If you have not heard about University Lab School in Baton Rouge (AKA “U-Highâ€) and the athletes playing under Head Coach Chad Mahaffey, you might want to take notice. Mahaffey’s Cubs have received a ton of national attention recently. Much of the buzz is courtesy of freshman Dylan Moses’ commitment to play for LSU, but the Cubs have plenty of talent on the entire roster – particularly in the secondary. Their two deep roster was good enough to propel the Cubs to a 14-1 record last year, with their only loss coming in the Division II State Championship to John Curtis Patriots.
Horn Sports recently caught up with U-High cornerback Malik Antoine (2016). Even though there was a Nike Combine taking place in New Orleans, Antoine chose to attend the second Texas Junior Day. Antoine said he was determined to make a trip to Austin to see what UT was all about.
Horn Sports: Malik, Tell us about your visit to the Texas Junior Day and what stood out the most to you?
Malik Antoine: It was a fantastic trip. Austin is a big city and Texas is a great college football program and a great academic institution. As far as what stood out to me the most on the football side of things was definitely the coaching staff. I really enjoyed all the staff and the way they treated me and my family. It was a great trip and Coach (Chris) Vaughn has been really great.
Horn Sports: Have you heard from the Texas staff since you visited on Junior Day?
Malik Antoine: I have heard from Coach Vaughn. He says he definitely wants me back at camp for some 1-on-1 time. He has been great in maintaining communication with me.
Horn Sports: Have you taken any other visits or are you planning to this summer?
Malik Antoine: I have already visited Mississippi State and LSU but I plan on taking in a lot of camps this summer.
Horn Sports: What schools are you hearing from the most as far as recruiting interest is concerned?
Malik Antoine: It is still relatively early in the recruiting process for me and I want to see what every program interested in me has to offer. I do want to play at a big time program. That is one thing I am certain of.
Horn Sports: What are your measurables?
Malik Antoine: I am 5-10 and 178 pounds.
Horn Sports: Do you plan on attending the Spring Game in Austin?
Malik Antoine: Unfortunately, I won’t be there but I will be in Texas next at the Nike Football Training Camp in Houston in April.
Horn Sports: Dylan Moses always seems to rave about his trips to Texas. Have you two ever talked about playing together at the next level?
Malik Antoine: Dylan and I haven’t discussed it. Tre Jackson is another cornerback on my high school team and he is a close friend. Tre has committed to Florida and we have talked about what it would be like to play on the same team. Several of my friends are trying to recruit me to play with them but I need to see how my recruiting process progresses.
Horn Sports: I’m originally from Baton Rouge. What part of town are you from?
Malik Antoine: I live in the Sherwood Forest area.
Horn Sports: My dad grew up in Sherwood Forest and my grandmother was the Secretary for former Governor Jimmy Davis, way back when. Small world. Is that Piccadilly cafeteria still over there in Sherwood Forest?
Malik Antoine: Yes sir it is (laughs).
Horn Sports: Best of luck in the recruiting process, Malik.
Malik Antoine: Thank you sir.
Antoine has received interest early on from LSU, TCU and Alabama and that list is expected to grow, given Antoine’s talent. Whether or not he will play on Saturdays in his own backyard (LSU) remains to be seen, but Antoine will have plenty of options to choose from when it is all said and done.
