December 4, 2024
South Sumter High Football Player Malakhi Boone Signs Commitment To UCF
By Kyle Coppola
South Sumter High Football Player Malakhi Boone Signs Commitment To UCF
BUSHNELL, Fla. — South Sumter High School standout Malakhi Boone, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker, has officially signed with the University of Central Florida (UCF), capping off a stellar high school career. Boone, who boasts a 4.0 GPA and an impressive athletic resume. Boone also plays basketball and baseball.
The decision wasn’t just about football for Boone. UCF’s combination of athletic opportunity and academic resources proved to be the perfect fit for the multi-talented student-athlete. “UCF offers me everything I need to grow as a player and as a person,” Boone said at his signing ceremony. “Being part of the Big 12 Conference is a dream come true. I’m excited to compete at the highest level.”
Boone’s impact on the gridiron has been undeniable. Under the guidance of South Sumter head coach Ty Lawrence, he led Class 2S District 9 in tackles last season with 108 and finished his high school career with 414 total tackles and 28 sacks. He is the first player in school history to lead the team in four straight seasons in tackles. His versatility extends beyond football; Boone is also a standout baseball player and basketball star. He truly is among one of the best all-around athletes that Sumter county has to offer.
Coach Lawrence praised Boone’s work ethic and leadership. “Mali is a game-changer on and off the field,” said Lawrence. “He’s a relentless competitor, but he’s also a humble, hardworking student who sets an example for everyone around him.”
As he prepares to join the UCF Knights, Boone is eager to take on the challenges of playing in the Big 12 Conference while pursuing his academic aspirations. For Boone, the move to Orlando is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
