UB Lands 4-Star Edge Rusher Malachi Ervin! Why He Chose the Bulls | BSC Ep. 07

UB Lands 4-Star Edge Rusher Malachi Ervin! Why He Chose the Bulls | BSC Ep. 07

Ladies and gentlemen and everyone else, welcome back to Buffalo Talk Center episode 7. I am Don. No kale with me today, but Malachi Irvin will be joining the podcast in a few minutes. Before I talk with Malachi, I just want to discuss a little bit about what the Buffalo Sabres have been doing, especially in the last week with regards to left shot defenseman Bowen Byum. The saga continues. There is yet to be any sort of resolution on that front and there’s been a lot of discussion about the sabers decision and his decision to elect arbitration with Bow and Byum. And this means a couple different things especially for the Sabres. Number one, the offer sheet threat is off the table. There was talks of maybe some teams using it as a negotiating tactic, threatening Kevin Adams, trying to force him into a trade. Well, the Sabers said, “No, we’re not going to do that anymore. we’re not going to tolerate that sort of talk. They took it off the table. And a little sidetrack folks, have you noticed that a lot of teams have been going through these insiders and saying, “Oh, we’re going to maybe see more offer sheets this summer.” It really seems like that’s becoming a prevalent tool now that it wasn’t really prior to the Esper Kaki move from Carolina to Montreal, then Sebastian Aaho between Montreal and Carolina again. Ever since that’s happened, we’ve seen offer sheets kind of become more prevalent, more effective. St. Louis did it quite beautifully last off season by acquiring Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, both via offer sheets. Edmonton didn’t have a good way to combat that. But the offer sheet thread was never realistic for a team like Buffalo, a team that has a ton of cap space, which meant that if any team submitted an offer sheet, the Sabres could just match it. Why? because we had the money. The Sabres currently have $13 million in cap space. They have more than enough flexibility to do whatever. And if the Sabres do feel as though the offer sheet that came across the table, say it was in the 9 to 11 million range, maybe the Sabres would just swallow their pride and accept it, not choose to match it. Let Byron walk to whatever team submitted that offer. In the end, none of this ever happened. Again, it was a lot of hot smoke. GMs were blowing up insiders ass asses. There’s multiple multiple insiders talking about all this stuff. Um, but it’s not going to happen anymore. The Sabres have elected to take Byum to arbitration. And we’ve heard this phrase a lot this weekend since this decision was made public that wow, the Sabres have just walked Bow and Byron right to the unrest unrestricted free agency market. And that’s true. Um, the way these arbitrations work is that Byum and the Savers will go to arbitration. The Byron camp will select how many years they want the arbitrator to give them money for. That can be either a one-year term or a two-year term. The important thing here is that if it’s a 2-year term that the Byron camp selects, once those two years run out, Byron plays here for another two seasons, he will become a UFA no matter what. with one year. I believe he still has one more year of being an RFA after this one. Typically, you don’t become a UFA till you turn 26 or 27. Byron is still 24. So, he’s got a few more years of being an RFA no matter what team takes him. Now, for the Sabres and for any other team, this doesn’t mean that no one outside of Buffalo can negotiate with Byron. And for the Sabres, the Sabres can continue to try to negotiate. Maybe there is a an avenue here, a path where the Sabres actually do extend Bow and Bar to a one or two-year deal before we ever see arbitration, but that seems a little unlikely. According to some certain reports, the Sabres and Bum are very far away in contract discussions, and Byum just recently got a new agent to try to help facilitate this entire process. So, this could drag on for a while. What this does ensure according to the Athletic is that Byum and the Sabres will not be taking the saga into training camp. So it’s a long ways off from now. We won’t have training camp till sometime in September. So we may not get a decision or resolution on this whole ordeal until then. But this does close off a few avenues. And now I’m going to turn it to the optimistic Sabres fan here, folks, because I view this entire situation as kind of a win-win here for Buffalo. You don’t get a lot of win-win situations when you’re the Buffalo Sabres, but there is a way in which this could be a win for the Savers no matter what happens. It’s a win if you trade Byron and you get really good assets for him. Not just futures, but players who can help you win now. Maybe a top six forward, maybe another top four forward or top four defenseman, excuse me. But you’re getting NHL ready talent and that’s what Kevin Adams has clearly been trying to hold out for. Unfortunately, the market is soft. So rather than force a trade, you could extend Byum to that one or two-year contract. And with that, you still are keeping a really good defenseman in your system. Let me propose this top four core to you guys. Dalene, Byum, Power, Kessle Ring. That is probably the best top four defensive core the Sabres have had in the last 10 years and that’s significantly better than putting Matias Samuelson on that top pairing with Rasmus Dalene. Granted, you would be having to pay bow environment a lot of money, and in this situation, I really would only see the Sabres signing him to a one-year deal because the cap, even though it’s going to go up next year, the Jeff Skinner bio money is going to really restrict how the Savers can spend their money, and it’s going to be a very difficult challenge, especially when there’s going to be a lot of really good UFAS next summer. So, money is going to have to be well spent here. So maybe it’s a one-year extension, but either way, you keep Byum in the system, you try to win with him, and if you don’t, you can flip him closer to the trade deadline. It’s not that bad of a situation. Keeping Byum on your team doesn’t hurt the Sabres. It doesn’t. It only makes the Sabres better. So for the Sabres, for Byum, maybe it’s okay if they just stay together. And apparently Byron was a really good locker room fit last season. He’s a real bright spot for energy and passion and he’s a real guys guy. So, this could still work. Maybe it does work. I think he still gets traded by the end of this off season, but we’ll see. But anyways, folks, let’s move on now and listen to what Malachi Irvin has to say. Um, before I get to there, let me just briefly summarize who Malachi Irvin is. So, the University of Buffalo, their football program under Pete Lumbo. Had a very good season last year and as part of their new recruiting class, they actually were able to snag a fourstar defensive line prospect. That’s Malachi Irvin. He’s going to be a freshman this upcoming year. And you’ll hear what his plans are for this upcoming season and beyond. And I hope you guys enjoy. So, take it away, myself and Malachi. Ladies and gentlemen and everybody else, welcome back to Buffalo Sports Center. I am Don. With me today is fourstar recruit Malachi Irvin. Recently just committed to the University of Buffalo. So he will be on the UB football team going into next year. Malachi, how are you doing today? I’m doing good. How about you? I’m doing okay. Yeah. So I just want to first talk about where you’re from. What’s your family background? You know, just give us a sense of who UB’s next star is going to be. Yes, sir. So, I’m originally born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Okay. Right now I’m at Pickington, which is a basically a suburb of Columbus. Okay. Nice. How big you got a big family? Uh there’s only five people in my family, including me. I got uh two siblings, a brother and sister. They’re both twins, you know. And then I got my mom and dad. I live with both my mom and dad. Oh, that’s cool. Yeah. I actually have a twin myself. Both me and my brother were both twins. Um, so yeah. So, you had a good Fourth of July, too, right? Everything go. Yeah. And for anyone who’s listening right now, uh, I do have unstable internet. Apparently, that’s what happens when you live in the boonies of Western New York. So, bear with me, folks. Um, but Malachi, I just want to get into, I guess, the decision to come to Buffalo. Uh, looking through your Twitter, you had a bunch of different offers from Pittsburgh, Temple. What made you want to come to Buffalo? Well, Buffalo actually gave me a clear plan on how they were going to develop me and use me and what they’re actually doing as a program. So, my thing was I really believed in the coaching staff and them as a whole as a program. So, and I knew I was going to go in, they were going to develop me to my true potential and I was going to be able to see the field early. So, that’s the one that pulled the trigger. Abs. So, nice. Um, so what who did you mainly talk to through that entire application process? Was it the head coach? Oh, through the recruiting process? Yeah, from the recruiting process. Yeah. So, the main one that was recruiting me was coach Dunning and then Coach Bones would talk to me here and there and Coach Limbo would text me here and there, but it was mainly coach Dunning the recruiting me. Yeah. Cool. So, I mean, what was the project that they pitched to you right over the next few years? What’s the plan basically for you and for this program? So, when I had went on my junior day visit, no it wasn’t a junior day, it was a spring practice visit, you know, uh I sat down with Coach Dunning and my father and he sat down and gave me a clear plan on like how they were going to develop me drill-wise, strength and conditioning wise, how they how my body was going to change. And what’s it called? Um Coach Horton and the strength and conditioning program. They got a really good strength and conditioning program. and coach the uh strength and and conditioning coach sat down and explained to all the recruits how they were going to see their body develop and how they’re going to get faster and stronger and whatnot. And so none of these other programs, they weren’t offering that. What What’s the biggest difference then between Buffalo and say someone like I’m just throwing out Pittsburgh for example. Not saying that Pittsburgh did not offer you a great package or whatever, but you know what’s the biggest thing? Was it that plan? The biggest difference was between those schools was like Buffalo, they actually sat down and gave me like they sat down with me and gave me these plans while Pit, they weren’t really pitching to me how I was going to be used in their program, if you know what I mean. Yeah, I get. And I guess at the beginning of this whole recruiting process, you know, you’re coming out of high school, did you envision coming all the way to Buffalo or were you looking to stay closer to home maybe? Uh, honestly, I thought it was going to be a little bit closer to home, but you know, I was open to going wherever. Well, you know, the drive’s not too bad. Columbus to Buffalo. I I go to school in Louisville, so I have to drive through Columbus each time I go there. Um, so it’s not too bad. It’s very flat. Pretty boring to be honest. Um, but I guess when when will you get into Buffalo? Have you come to Buffalo yet? Are you in Buffalo right now? Like what’s the timetable for that? So, I’m actually early enrolling. So, I’mma be on campus sometime in January, I’m pretty sure. Oh, wow. Okay. Wow. Um, so are you going to be playing then this upcoming season or will you be a red shirt freshman? What’s the idea for that? I don’t plan on red shirting. Uh, I plan on playing my freshman year. Yeah. And are you aware, you know, some of the old alumni that have come through UB? Is there a reputation maybe for UB outside of Buffalo? you know that they develop guys like Khalil Mack. Do you envision yourself maybe trying to follow in Mac’s footsteps basically? Oh, definitely. Yeah, I’m trying to make it to the league. You know what I’m saying? Going through Buffalo. Cool. Yeah. And uh the defense was fantastic last year. I mean, you want to play for the Bills, right? When you get to the league, right? Play for the Bills. I’m not sure. I really don’t have an NFL team, but Well, we’re we’re a great team. Josh Allen’s fantastic. All right. You’re gonna love it here in Buffalo. Are you I don’t know how much they immersed you in Buffalo culture thus far. Are you a blue cheese or a ranch guy? Like I’m a I’m a blue cheese guy. I’m definitely guy. Every time me and my family went down to Buffalo, we had to get some of the chicken wings. That’s a good answer. It’s a good answer. You just made a lot of people happy here. Um so you’ll get in here in a little while. Um have you picked out a major or minor yet? What’s the academic plan? UB also talk about that side of the game, too. Yeah. So, I’m not sure what I like quite sure. I’m not not really decided yet, but I think I want to do something in business because when I uh after football said and done, I want to own some training facilities and major in business that’ll help me, you know, get that going. Wow, that’s a Yeah, very ambitious. And do you plan ever like, you know, is that something that you envision happening after college, the league? Do you go back to Ohio then? Is that what you’re thinking? Yeah, started down in Ohio. Nice. Nice. And uh so I mean why didn’t it then right you got I saw on your online that you had got an offer from what Ohio northern I believe right and did they give you an offer one of those Ohio no sir I don’t think and use gave me an offer northern so yeah what was what was the the one with the green they’re like the Bobcats I think they’re also Ohio University Bobcats. Yeah. Yeah. So they gave you an offer. Why didn’t you stay closer to home then? Was it also coming down to the whole plan and whatnot? Well, oh, I picked up Ohio late, like later on in the recruiting process, and they weren’t recruiting me as hard. They got a couple coaching changes, so Okay. It was kind of everything was kind of different, you know. Yeah, everything was in flux over there. I guess my next question is then like walk us through that application or that recruiting process. How stressful was it on you? Did you think like was it as stressful as I we can all imagine? Yeah, it was it was pretty stressful. I can I remember in my room on my desk doing my homework like where am I going to end up? You know what I’m saying? It was it was definitely a lot going into summer, but you know what I’m saying? As the recruiting process went on, things just starting to teams just naturally weeding themselves out and I as I went on junior day visits, I just naturally knew where I wanted to be. And uh by the time summer had started, I already had a top four schools. I already knew these were the full schools if I ended up these were the full schools I wanted to go to. Understood. Yeah. So when does that recruitment process start? Is that back last fall maybe? Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. And so what so you’d have scouts come out to your games? Would you guys realize that the scouts were there or would they tell you guys? No, they they definitely would not tell us, but they didn’t want to give you that extra fire, huh? Yeah. Yeah. So, um, at what point did UB first make contact with you and your family then? So, let me think. It had to have been sometime during the winter. It was coach Bowens. He actually went to one of our winter workouts and that’s where I got offered. And then after that, um, Coach Dunning, Coach Bowens, they would consistently text me and then that’s when I wanted to go on the junior day visit. And ever since then, you know, I’ve been in close contact with coaches. Yeah. And what was a part of that visit? Did you come to campus, tour the stadium and whatnot? Uh, it was it was a spring practice visit. So, I just came sat down in the position meeting rooms, watched practice. So, that was pretty much it. Okay. Nice. Yeah. So, over the course, how long were they texting you, reaching out to you? They made contact in the winter. How many months afterwards? When when did you make your actual like official commitment? How many months after that? So I made my So after I went to workout, basically coach um Bowens and Coach Dunny, they were reaching out to me here and there, but then as it went on, we started building relationship. They started reaching out to me a lot more and that just it just really built a relationship that made me even want to even come on the junior day. And then summer came along, then I went on the OV, and I knew it was time to commit. And when you were considering all these different schools, did you ever take into account maybe the different conferences that they play in, the matchups, the amount of eyeballs that it’ll be on you? Uh, not necessarily. I knew if I wasn’t going to a power four program, then I would want to be in the MAC. It was a matter of picking which math school was. Why did you want to stay in the MAC? What’s the draw about the MAC? I don’t know. It’s because it’s up here in the east, the area, the teams they play, you know, this is closer to home. Relatively familiar with the area. I get it. Yeah. Are you excited to come up to Buffalo? Are you excited for the season? I can’t wait to get on campus and start working. I I can only imagine. I So, I my freshman year back in a few years ago, I roommed with a walk-on because I went to Slippery Rock not too far away from Pittsburgh. That’s why I’m so curious about Pit. Wasn’t too far away from them. Um, and uh, do you know your dorm situation? Are you guys going to be dorming with the other football guys? Are you going to be mixed in with General Pop? We actually first year we get to stay in the apartments. I forgot what the apartments complex was called, but yeah, I think we get uh, four other roommates and we all stay in the apartments. Well, you know, god damn, I wish I had uh, I wish I had apartments first year. Gez, you don’t get to go through the old the communal bathrooms or anything. Yeah, definitely. That’s definitely nice. H Yeah, I guess the perks of being a fourstar recruit. Um I I guess that’s another area. I mean, fourstar recruit, that comes with a lot of pressure. How How do you How have you been dealing with that? I guess honestly, I It’s not a fact I’ve been dealing with it. I just kind of been going through my everyday life normal. keep on keeping the same mentality, same work ethic even before I was a fourstar because I’ll be honest, I got ranked pretty fairly late and um I was a three star at first and then the um the Under Armour camp hit and then they went ahead and made me a fourstar, but I just really been keeping the same mentality, the same work ethic as when I was not even ranked. So, you know, I mean, how special was it for you though that day where you finally got did they call you? Did they let you know? Like no. My uh I was I’m pretty sure I was taking a nap and my dad had looked at my 2.7 account and he had seen it. He was excited. Yeah, we were all excited. Can only imagine. Yeah. I mean, how many years? First off, when did you start playing football? I started playing football my freshman year. Freshman year of co or high school. Yes, sir. That was my first year playing football. Wow. Okay. So, you’re a late bloomer, huh? Um, I guess then how good was the program then at Pickerington at that? Oh, extremely good. Yeah, we have an extremely good football program over here. Okay. Is it one of the larger ones in the area? Uh, yeah. I say so. We have one of the best I say one of the best programs is central Ohio. Wow. Okay. And so you go through all the like what were the first things that you did? You start you decide you want to play football and you want to get good. Like what do you do you watch tape? Did you just practice a whole lot? What was your process at the beginning? My my main thing was the mental side of it. Like I’d be at home watching nothing but football, watching nothing but Dline breakdowns, watching film on college players, NFL players. So I say in the process of getting better, that was a huge part, the mental part and obviously physical part, putting in all the work, the hours outside my backyard with different trainers in the weight room, trying to get bigger, eating a lot more. that played a huge part, but the mental part then that was huge. Yeah. And you mentioned that you watched a lot of tape of NFL players. What player I guess then in the NFL would you equate your playing style most similar to? That’s a good question. Um, that’s a good question. I really couldn’t give you a player, but I say my favorite player is probably Max Crosby. I don’t know who to really compare my playing style to. Max Crosby. That’s a good pickup. If you can become anything close to Max Crosby, I mean, I wish I were Max Crosby, too. Geez. Send setting the goals high. Um, I guess then I mean, you so you start playing football, you getting through that process. You get through towards your junior senior year. Did you really notice anything change, I guess, during that time about your playing style? Were you getting quicker, faster? What did you notice? So basically my main thing was was getting bigger, faster, and stronger. I knew the weight would come along as I got older and my frame started to fill out, but my main thing was staying in the weight room, staying out on the field, getting extra work, and trying to get bigger, faster, and stronger. And I’m not going to lie, my sophomore year I was playing I was playing at um 195, I think, around the 195 200 range. And then that offseason I gained like 20 pounds. I ended that summer around 220 and I was playing at around 215. Wow. Okay. Yeah. I gotta say the something similar happened to me when I started my first year in law school. I gained 15 pounds. Wouldn’t say that I was doing anything good. Uh just a lot of eating, a lot of sitting around. But um yeah, for sure. Um so I guess what’s the next steps then moving forward for you for your mind mindset, your body? Like what just continuing to eat better? What do you what do you what they tell you? just keep on continuing to get better, keep on continuing to do what I’ve been doing, getting a lot of mental reps, keep on watching film, keep on stay in the weight room, stay hungry. That’s pretty much it. Were you Now, were you staying in the weight room on Fourth of July or were you eating like the rest of us, huh? Like going definitely I was definitely at cookouts eating. It’s okay. You can have a day. You can have a relaxation day. Um, have you talked at all to your any of your future teammates, any other recruits thus far? What’s the communication been there? Um, so the all the 26 recruits, we have a players only group chat. Um, the coaches and recruiting personnel, they made a um group chat with all of us and then we just went off and made a uh our own separate players group chat. I see. I see. And so you guys are already forming tight bonds there, huh? Yes, sir. Nice. Good for you. Communication. Good for you guys. Yeah. Well, um I don’t know what what’s the next uh what what’s what are your plans, I guess, for the next what month, month and a half before things really get rolling, you know? We got uh we got practice. I think we’re in pads actually two weeks from now. Okay. So, um just continue to keep on putting that work, keep on pushing my teammates to get better because we’re pushing for a state championship. Oh, that’s right. We’re getting better every day. Well, we are all rooting for you guys. We uh everyone here in Buffalo were excited that UB got a fourstar recruit. That’s pretty it’s pretty legendary. Um not not going to put too much pressure on your shoulders, you know, keep working on the mindset. We’re very excited though here in Buffalo. We’re happy to have you here as well. So, we appreciate you. Yeah. Um anything else you’d like to tell this audience here before we head on out? Uh nothing much. I’m just glad to be a part of the program. I’m glad to be a part of the fan base. Yeah. And don’t worry, we’ll make you a Bills fan. You’re going to have a Bills team or an NFL team after the next few years. All right. You’re going to be a Bills fan. You’re going to love Josh Allen. You guys are going to These are a lot of demands, but you’re going to go to a playoff game. All right. It’s going to happen. You guys are going to love it. And uh I there’s also like a Bills UB program. I don’t know what the spring training is next year, right? So, you never know if it goes well. Hey, could be seeing you in that one, too. But again, Malachi, thank you so much for coming on. I am Don Lefay, folks. With me today was Malachi Irvin. Check him out. Watch UB this fall. He’ll be lighting up. Malachi, thank you so much for coming on. I appreciate you. No problem. Thanks for having me.

In this episode of Buffalo TalkCenter, Don breaks down the latest on the Bowen Byram–Buffalo Sabres saga — is a trade on the horizon, and how would he fit into the Sabres’ blue line? Plus, we sit down with incoming UB 4-star edge rusher Malachi Ervin for an exclusive interview! He shares what the college football recruiting process was like, why he ultimately chose the University at Buffalo, and what Bulls fans can expect from him on the field. Whether you’re a Sabres fan or follow UB football, this episode is packed with insider insight and future-focused discussion.

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00:00 Intro/Byram Update
07:27 Malachi Ervin Interview