Named to Athlon's 1999 pre-season All-America third team ... 1999 Football News pre-season second team All-American and All-Mountain West Conference ... The Sporting News pre-season first team All-MWC and Lindy's pre-season first team All-MWC ... Ranked sixth-best center in the nation by The Sporting News.
1998: First team All-WAC Pacific Division center...Has started in 33 consecutive games for the Aztecs ... Graded out at 88.6 % the highest among offensive lineman ... Allowed no sacks and accounted for only three pressures and 22 pancake blocks ... Voted offensive lineman of the year by his teammates.
1997: Started first seven games of the season at strong guard and moved to center for the Hawai'i game and the remainder of the season ... Consistent week in and week out ... Switched from guard and stepped right into starting role at center without missing a beat.
1996: As the only new player on an experienced offensive line, he matured into the guard position vacated by the graduation of All-WAC performer Chris Finch...Protected the quarterback well.. Started in all 11 games...An important part of an offense that finished eighth in the nation in total and scoring offense... Member of an offensive line that opened up holes for SDSU backs to run for an average of 173 yards per game.
1995: Redshirted as a true freshman in 1995.
HIGH SCHOOL: Recipient of the Frank Kush Award, given to the best offensive lineman in the state of Arizona...Made Super Prep Magazine All Far West squad...A first-team All-Arizona and All-Desert Valley Region selection in 1994...Started for two years at Horizon HS...Played both offensive guard and defensive tackle...On defense, he registered 34 total tackles, two QB sacks, one fumble recovery and an interception return for a 43-yard touchdown... Team finished the 1994 season with an 11-3 record and won the Arizona 5A state championship for the first time in the history of Horizon High School.
PERSONAL: Michael James Malano was born on October 16, 1976 in Delta, Colo...Arizona prep Offensive Lineman of the Year his senior year...Enjoys hunting, fishing and lifting weights in his spare time...Lists Randy Gradishar and Karl Mecklenberg as his favorite athletes ...Majoring in social sciences at SDSU with career plans to coach football.