Wide Receiver Malick Mbodj Verbally Commits to Cincinnati

With National Signing Day fast approaching, the Bearcats have added another quality recruit to their 2016 class with the addition of wide receiver Malick Mbodj. Mbodj, a native of Lithonia, Georgia (Arabia Mountain), made the announcement on Twitter yesterday. Not only is Mbodj a nice addition to the class, but is also the first offensive recruit to commit since the departure of former offensive coordinator Eddie Gran (who took the same role with the University of Kentucky).

Officially Committed To The University of Cincinnati❗️#goBearcats♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/ajF4W1Y3NP

— #⃣1⃣ (@1__spotlight) January 25, 2016

The 6-foot-4, 188-pound receiver is a three-star recruit from Lithonia, Georgia (Arabia Mountain) and is the 17th player to join the 2016 class to this point. Mbodj has a composite score of 84, according to 247Sports, which is gathered by compiling grades from a variety of recruiting databases. 247Sports actually has him rated as an 87 though with their own grade and he ranks much higher in their eyes. 247Sports has Mbodj 103rd amongst wide receivers in the 2016 class and the 53rd best player in the state of Georgia. Rivals has him graded out at a 5.5, according to their scoring.

Blake Rolan spearheaded the recruiting efforts for Mbodj, with Gran now at the University of Kentucky, and won out over a number of schools who were courting Mbodj. UCF, Colorado State, Georgia Southern, Indiana, Miami (OH), Navy and Syracuse were just some of the schools to offer scholarships to the Georgia native. Georgia Tech, Georgia and Maryland are also sniffing around without offering scholarships.

When you consult the highlights, you can see what many recruiting outlets have become fascinated with. His size is the first thing that jumps off the video, but a close second is how he uses his size. He is an athletic player who demonstrates the ability to high-point 50-50 throws, often times winning jump balls easily over defenders. While Mbodj isn't as shifty as smaller receivers, even in Cincinnati's current 2016 class, he does have solid straight-line speed (ran a 4.57 second 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports) and should only add on some size with a college training program. He catches the ball with his hands and does many of the little things or high-effort things that you hope to see from your receivers.

At the end of the day, Mbodj is a great addition to the 2016 class for Cincinnati. His size and physicality is reminiscent of Mekale McKay, which can only be a good thing for Cincinnati fans. Not to mention, he evidently isn't half bad at kicking onside kicks, according to his highlight video.