Desmond Malpress, a rising star among edge rushers nationwide, has become a significant admirer of Florida State University's new Edge coach, Nick Williams. Hailing from Jacksonville (Florida) Atlantic, Malpress is currently one of the top-rated prospects in his position. Recently, he visited the FSU campus for their second of three Junior Days scheduled this month, and the experience seems to have left a lasting impression on him.
But here's where it gets interesting: Williams, who joined FSU's coaching staff not long ago, appears to be making quite an impact in his recruiting efforts. "It’s been a fantastic experience ever since they brought my coach from Syracuse, Coach Nick [Williams]. I really admire him; he’s an incredible coach and I appreciate him immensely," Malpress shared, highlighting the strong rapport they’ve developed. "He’s a wonderful person who I believe will challenge me to reach my aspirations of playing in the NFL. That's exactly what I want from a coach like him."
Malpress first connected with Williams during the latter's tenure at Syracuse University, and their relationship has only strengthened since then. Furthermore, this past week, Florida State's head coach Mike Norvell made an impressive entrance by arriving at Malpress' school via helicopter. This gesture clearly resonated with the 6-foot-3, 205-pound athlete. After spending additional time with Norvell during his visit, Malpress expressed his admiration for the coach: "It meant everything to me that he took the time to come by. He embodies the qualities you look for in a coach: motivation, energy, and commitment. I would love to play under him. FSU is definitely a leading contender for me right now."
Malpress is also excited about the defensive role that the coaches at FSU have outlined for him within their system. "They're employing a multiple defense strategy, which means I’ll have the flexibility to play wherever I feel most comfortable. Whether that’s at the 3-technique, on the edge, or even covering a tight end, I enjoy being versatile in my position,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Malpress plans to visit South Carolina next weekend for another Junior Day event and recently attended Georgia's event the weekend before. Currently, he has an official visit lined up with Syracuse, marking the only confirmed visit he has at this stage.
According to 247Sports, Desmond Malpress is ranked as the No. 83 overall player in the nation and is recognized as a top edge rusher. During his junior season last fall, he recorded an impressive 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, showcasing his defensive prowess.
