What Could Have Been - 2002 QB Recruit Billy Don Malone

2002:
Rivals.com (2002) - Billy Don Malone, QB, 6-2/185 (North Lamar HS, Paris, TX)

2008:
New York Times: Quarterback’s Re-emergence a Matter of Heart (11/28/08)
Relevant Excerpts:
- "As a young quarterback at Tulane in 2002, Billy Don Malone developed a reputation as a first-round N.F.L. talent."

- "Malone verbally committed to the University of Texas the summer before his senior season. He rescinded his pledge in December 2001, less than a month before another talented quarterback from Texas, Vince Young, announced he would sign with the Longhorns."

- "Malone said he withdrew his commitment because Texas Coach Mack Brown had discouraged him from visiting Tulane, which was recruiting his brother, Gary."

- "During his freshman season, he redshirted behind quarterback J. P. Losman, who went on to become a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2004 draft. Yet he immediately made his presence known."

- "But a heart problem ended Malone’s career at Tulane before it ever really got off the ground, sending him into a downward spiral. He left the university with a grade point average below 1.5 and with what he later acknowledged was a marijuana habit."

- "Six years later, Malone — the quarterback with the cannon arm and a 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame — has re-emerged as a pro prospect."

- "He is 25, married with two children..."

- "Dr. Eric Eichhorn, a cardiologist in Dallas, cleared Malone to play football again in March 2005."

- "...he opened the 2005 season as Abilene Christian’s starting quarterback."

- "Malone has led the Wildcats to an 11-0 record and a final regular-season ranking of No. 2 in N.C.A.A. Division II."

- "Malone is projected as a second-day pick for the N.F.L. draft in April, but he is ascending on teams’ draft boards in what could be a weak quarterback class, said Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys executive and an analyst for NFL.com."