Daphne’s offense struggled mightily the first two weeks of the season, managing just 26 total points.

It’s been a different story in the last two games.

The Trojans combined to score 105 points in Class 7A, Region 1 wins over Alma Bryant and Davidson.

The improvement coincides directly with the arrival of transfer quarterback Jamar Malone.

“He’s a generational talent,” Daphne coach Kenny King said. “And he’s not just talented. He’s very smart. That is what is going to take him to the next level and beyond. His knowledge of the game and understanding is remarkable at this point.”

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Malone already has 14 college offers, including Arizona, California, Tennessee, Louisville, Miami and Virginia Tech. He’s rated a 3-star prospect, according to 247 Sports.

“He has all the arm talent in the world,” King said. “And, of course, being big and being able to run doesn’t hurt either.”

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Malone will lead the Trojans (3-1) against Mississippi State quarterback commit Josh Flowers and No. 9-ranked Baker (4-0) in another key Region 1 game on Friday.

But how did Malone – a California native – end up in South Alabama in the first place? It’s a journey that included several stops along the way.

The first move was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In California, everything was shut down in 2020,” he said. “You couldn’t even leave your house unless you were going to the grocery store. Definitely going into my freshman year, I wanted to start my career right and actually be able to play football.”

Malone made the move from Carson, Calif., to Gilbert, Arizona, and enrolled at Higley High School. As a sophomore last year, he led his team to its first 5A state title. In a 41-21 win over Glendale Cactus, Malone passed for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns and ran for 79 yards, including a 60-yard TD for the game’s first score.

For the season, Malone passed for more than 4,000 yards and 44 touchdowns and ran for 927 yards and 12 scores. Following the season, the family looked for another avenue to help continue to develop Malone’s skills.

That led him initially to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

“It was definitely tough to leave (Higley),” Malone said. “But I was proud of my team and what we accomplished. I think any person wants to leave a situation better than when you came in. I take pride in that. We, as a family, knew IMG would be good training for college.”

Malone spent the summer and the early part of the fall at IMG but had limited playing time while there.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I went through spring and did summer ball. It definitely gets you prepared for college. It was amazing.

“But I wasn’t playing that much, had a senior (Liberty commit Jayden Bradford) in front of me who had been there a couple of years. I just felt like I wanted to get on the field and play football.”

Enter Daphne High School.

“Coach Kenny has been a longtime friend of my dad,” Malone said. “I’ve known him since I was literally a toddler. My dad always wanted me to play for him.”

The timing worked out well for both Daphne and Malone.

Malone needed a new start.

Daphne needed a new starter after Landen Snow transferred to Citronelle following the first game of the year.

“It was kind of perfect timing,” King said. “Landen left the program and transferred, and Jamar came in. We wish Landen nothing but the best. It was literally like a two-day difference in the timing of it all.”

Malone didn’t start for Daphne in a Week 2 loss to Carver-Montgomery after having limited practice time that week. He took over the role in Week 3 before the region opener against Alma Bryant.

The results have been impressive.

He has completed 48-of-65 pass attempts for 637 yards and five touchdowns. He’s been intercepted once. He’s also rushed for 137 yards and three scores on 14 carries.

“The team has welcomed him in,” King said. “We have quality leaders like Nick Clark and Tyler Durant and John Davis. Those guys welcomed in Jamar, and it’s been a great thing to see.”

Malone said it’s been a great experience so far.

“Everybody has been really welcoming,” he said. “The Friday night atmosphere is really great. People definitely come out and support the teams here. That’s been awesome to see.”

Malone’s long-term goal remains to play in college, and he already has offers from coast-to-coast. He attended his first SEC game three weeks ago when Auburn hosted UMass in its opener.

“I thought it was amazing,” he said. “It was sold out, fans were everywhere. They were hyped. The only other place I’ve been to that even came close to replicating something like that was Notre Dame.”

Malone said he would like to commit prior to his senior year but said right now his focus is on continuing to learn the offense and his Region 1 opponents and help the Trojans to the playoffs.

After three moves in three years, he plans on unpacking his boxes.

“I’m definitely home for the next two years,” he said.