Medlock’s Time to Shine

By Matt Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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As he now moves out of the shadow created by Malkom Parrish to become the unquestioned star of the Brooks County team, expect Exavius Medlock to make quite a name for himself in 2014.

Playing for powerhouse Brooks County High School in Quitman, Georgia, can often become both a blessing and a curse for players desiring to become collegiate prospects.

While donning the Trojans uniform virtually guarantees immense team success on the gridiron, the competition to earn your way onto the field is perhaps even more immense.

Every now and then, however, a special talent capable of being a featured player in every phase of the game emerges from the intense competition to transform into a star for the one of the top programs in the Peach State.

In 2013, Georgia signee Malkom Parrish received the vast majority of the media attention for the Trojans, starring as both a wide receiver and defensive back on Fridays during the fall. A recent participant in the US Army All-American Bowl, Parrish was the primary focus of the opposition’s game-planning, as he was capable of taking over games with his elite athleticism.

As it turns out, Parrish’s presence, which drew significant attention from the opposing teams, would allow yet another Brooks County player to thrust himself into the spotlight as a two-way standout.

Though he did not possess the name-recognition of Parrish, 2015 prospect Exavius Medlock proved to be a dynamic talent on both sides of the ball for the Trojans last fall.

As a wide receiver, Medlock registered 27 catches for 934 yards and eight touchdowns, displaying a propensity for producing explosive plays.

It was on defense where he was at his best, though. Receiving a significant amount of attention playing opposite of Parrish, Medlock displayed that he was also not a favorable matchup for quarterbacks, as he intercepted seven passes, including one which he returned for a touchdown. Medlock’s performance on the gridiron earned him recognition as a first-team all-region player at the conclusion of the regular season. 

Riding a wave of momentum into the offseason, Medlock recently attended the Explosive Southern Pigskin Camp in Waycross to see how his talents stacked up against some of the top competition in the state of Georgia.

Not unexpectedly, his talents matched up rather favorably.

“Honestly, I feel like I didn’t do my best, but it still ended up going well and it was a great experience,” said Medlock, who was recognized as one of the top defensive backs in attendance. “It was only the second camp I’ve ever been to. We play a lot of zone and off-man at my high school, so I need a little more practice in tight-man coverage.”

Given his athletic abilities, it certainly shouldn’t take very long for Medlock to improve his man-to-man coverage skills from very good to elite. At an even six-foot tall, he clocked an impressive 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the camp, making him one of the four fastest prospects in attendance. His speed and quickness were on full display during the drills, as he blanketed the wide receivers, making it difficult for them to find separation for a completed pass.

Shortly after his performance at the camp, Medlock says that he has seen an increase in traffic from college coaches coming to Brooks County to check out his transcripts and film. As a full academic qualifier who is hoping to major in physical therapy, they undoubtedly have to be impressed with what they are seeing in the classroom as well.

In return, Medlock will be a close eye on the education which a school would be able to offer to him.

“The most important thing I am looking for out of a college is their academics and the graduation rate of their football players,” Medlock commented. “I want to major in physical therapy, so I want to make sure that they have a good program for that as well.”

A former basketball, baseball and track star, Medlock recently cut down on the number of his athletic endeavors in order to focus on his career on the football field.

As he now moves out of the shadow created by Parrish to become the unquestioned star of the Brooks County team, expect Medlock to make quite a name for himself in 2014.