Max Melton wouldn’t mind being his brother’s teammate in Green Bay
BY GERY WOELFEL
Malachi “Max’’ Melton is a connoisseur of cars.
The former Rutgers University star cornerback is seemingly obsessed with cars. He incessantly goes on the internet and reads about cars and it doesn’t matter the make or model, just-off-the-assembly line or vintage ones.
If they were to stage a trivia contest on cars, Max Melton is your man.
“I’m a car guy,’’ Melton said with a wide grin. “You can put any car in front of me and I can name it for you.’’
Melton said his interest in cars was piqued by his father, Gary, who played also football at Rutgers and harbors a fondness for cars himself.
In fact, while at Rutgers, Gary, drove around the campus in a sweet 1993 Chevrolet Camaro, fully loaded.
When Max heard about his father boasting a nice car in college, he decided to do the same. In his junior year, Max purchased a Dodge Charger Scat Pack and, yes, it was also fully loaded.
“Dad has a nice car in college, so I said I got to get a nice car, too,’’ Max said.
If things go his way, Max intends on purchasing several cars down the road. Depending on his financial status, he wouldn’t object to having a fleet of them.
Melton already has his eyes on his prized car.
“My dream car is a 2000 Lamborghini Huracan, all yellow,’’ Melton said at the recent Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. “It’s just a beautiful car. Obviously, it’s a 2000 car, so you won’t see them now days. And it’s a very expensive car at this time.
“That’s definitely my dream car. I hope I can get it one day.’’
That day may be coming sooner than later. That’s because Melton is a virtual lock to be selected in the NFL draft, which will be held from April 25-27 in Detroit.
Melton is projected as a potential third-round selection after coming off an impressive junior year at Rutgers where, in 12 games, he had three interceptions and 32 tackles.
He then performed well before a slew of NFL officials at the Senior Bowl and will now have a golden opportunity to enhance his draft stock even more at the NFL Scouting Combine next week in Indianapolis.
Rest assured, the NFL evaluators attending the Combine will be extremely interested in Melton’s 40-yard time. They know he’s fast, but to hear the 6-foot, 190-pound Melton tell it, they don’t really know how fast.
“The fastest I’ve ever been clocked was 4.37 in my sophomore year (at Rutgers),’’ Melton said. “I’d like to think I’ve gotten faster since then.’’
It wouldn’t be the first time NFL officials have seen a blistering 40-yard time recorded by a Melton.
Two years at the Combine, Max’s brother, Bo, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, opened eyes with a 4.34 showing. It was the fifth-fastest time of any player who was selected in the 2022 draft.
Max would love to eclipse the time posted by his brother, whom he admittedly looks up to with fondness.
Max and Bo always have each other’s back and communicate with each other on a daily basis.
“We are very close,’’ Max said of his relationship with his older brother. “He texted me yesterday, he texted me today. He’s always texting me. And we talk three, four times a week.
“I’ve watched how he moves on and off the field. He’s been really inspiring to me. For sure, I look up to him.’’
Melton said he’s be happy to be drafted by any of the NFL’s 32 teams, but conceded it would be special to play with his brother in Green Bay, where Bo’s pro career blossomed last season.
After being selected in the seventh round by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 draft, Bo Melton was signed by the Packers off the Seahawks practice squad late in the 2022 season.
Bo Melton’s time in Green Bay figured to be a short one as he joined a talented and deep Packers’ receiving corps.
But Melton persevered, first earning a spot on the 53-player roster before making several huge plays late in the season in helping the Packers advance to the playoffs.
In six games last season, Bo Melton caught 16 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown. He had six catches in a key late-season Packers’ victory over Minnesota.
While Melton’s amazing ascension shocked many observers, Max wasn’t one of them.
“I know Bo; I know my brother,’’ Max said. “I knew he wouldn’t quit. I knew he was going to keep working and make his way on to the 53-man roster.’’
Max then paused before adding, “And I know there’s more to come from him. He hasn’t even reached his max potential yet. I can’t wait to see him in open space, juking out people. I know what kind of player he is.’’
Not only would Max relish being a teammate of his brother’s in Green Bay, he wouldn’t mind being a part of the Packers’ secondary.
One of his two favorite cornerbacks is Jaire Alexander, the Packers gifted and enigmatic cornerback. The other is Marshon Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection for the New Orleans Saints.
“A little bit of my game is modeled after Marshon Lattimore and Jaire Alexander,’’ Melton said. “More technique-wise and playing football, it’s Marshon Lattimore.
“But from a personality side, I’d like to think I’m kind of like Jaire. Not as crazy. I’m told he’s a joyful guy and fun to be around.’’
And there’s one other aspect to being a Packer than appeals to Melton: their rabid fan base, regarded as one of the best in sports.
“Green Bay fans … they are really the best,’’ Melton said. “I see how they support my brother and how they support their team. They have fan pages left and right.
“I really hope they see me as a fit as I see them as a fit.’’
