ESPN piece on Malachi Dupre*****

quote:

---

Making The Decision

Dupre has gone from a relative unknown as an underclassman to the top of the rankings at his position.

It’s even more impressive considering his high school, John Curtis Christian, is primarily a running team in a day and age when high school receivers are putting up monster statistics in spread offenses.

The sure-handed wide receiver, who runs a 4.58-laser-timed 40-yard dash, takes another route when looking at his rise.

Though his stat sheet pales in comparison to others, he understands the program he been a part of has helped shape him.

“The offseason preparation and mental toughness that we have to go through at Curtis definitely helps prepare me,” Dupre said. “College coaches, when they come through and talk to me, say Curtis practices are the closest thing to a college-level practice they have seen. ... I knew the talent I had, and it’s more than stats and catches.”

Dupre has also seen, as teammates got recruiting, just how to deal with the pressure-packed process.

“Seeing how their process went, and how they handled it has helped me," he said. “Friends that have done this before and friends that are already in college that I can trust in is the probably the best advice you can get. Somebody that has gone through it recently, and can tell me what to look at and look forward too is big.”

While LSU, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA are still in the running for Dupre’s services, there is pressure to stay in state.

And while Dupre has received advice from family and former teammates, the final decision will be his alone.

“Wherever Malachi goes, he will face adversity,” Mike Dupre said. “It’s very important for him to make that decision of where he wants to be, so when that adversity hits, he doesn’t want to immediately transfer or have a sense of negativity. If it’s the place he truly wants to be, then that will help him respond to the adversity that he will face.”

The words of wisdom from his parents will be a big part of Dupre being comfortable with his decision, which will be announced live on ESPNU during on national signing day on Feb. 5.

“When I sit down to make that decision, it will be my mom, dad and my brothers, Vernon and Matthew. It will come down to where I’m the most comfortable,” Dupre said.

---