In the ever-evolving world of professional football, only few stories capture the essence of perseverance and adaptability quite like that of Malik Willis. Born on May 25, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, Willis has quickly become a name to watch in the National Football League (NFL). As of September 22, 2024, Willis finds himself in a pivotal role with the Green Bay Packers, stepping in as the starting quarterback due to an injury to Jordan Love. Let’s explore Willis’s journey so far, from his college days to his current position in the NFL.
Table Of Content
- Early Life and College Career
- Liberty University Standout
- NFL Draft and Early Professional Career
- Trade to Green Bay and Current Role
- Playing Style and Strengths
- Challenges and Areas for Growth
- Off the Field
- Social Media Presence
- Looking Ahead
Early Life and College Career
Malik Willis’s football journey began in the heart of Georgia. He attended Westlake High School before transferring to Roswell High School for his senior year. It was at Roswell where Willis truly began to shine, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities by passing for 2,562 yards and rushing for 1,033 yards, accumulating a total of 27 touchdowns in his final high school season.
Willis’s talent caught the eye of college recruiters, leading him to Auburn University in 2017. During his two-year stint with the Auburn Tigers, Willis played in 12 games, though primarily in a backup role. His statistics during this period were modest but promising: 11 completions on 14 attempts for 69 yards and a touchdown, along with 309 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Seeking more playing time and an opportunity to showcase his skills as a starter, Willis made the decision to transfer to Liberty University in 2019. After sitting out the 2019 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Willis burst onto the scene in 2020 as Liberty’s starting quarterback. His impact was immediate and significant.
Liberty University Standout
At Liberty, Willis’s talent flourished under the guidance of head coach Hugh Freeze. Over two seasons, he amassed impressive numbers:
- Passing: 5,176 yards and 47 touchdowns
- Rushing: 2,131 yards and 29 touchdowns
Willis’s dual-threat capabilities were on full display during his time with the Flames. A standout performance came against Southern Mississippi, where he threw for six touchdowns and ran for another. This exceptional play earned him the 2020 Dudley Award, recognizing him as Virginia’s top college football player.
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NFL Draft and Early Professional Career
Willis’s college performances put him firmly on the NFL radar. Leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, there was considerable buzz around Willis, with some projections placing him as high as the 2nd overall pick. The Tennessee Titans ultimately selected Willis in the third round, 86th overall.
During his rookie season with the Titans, Willis saw limited action and a passer rating of 39.67 in three starts. Despite a rocky start in the NFL platform, he gained valuable experience at the professional level. His raw talent and potential for growth were evident, even as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
Trade to Green Bay and Current Role
The Titans traded Willis to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick on August 27, 2024. This trade would prove fortuitous for both Willis and the Packers. With starting quarterback Jordan Love sidelined due to a sprained MCL, Willis has been thrust into the spotlight.
On September 22, 2024, Willis is set to make his first start for the Packers against his former team, the Tennessee Titans. This “revenge game” scenario adds an extra layer of intrigue to Willis’s current situation. In this game he led the Packers to a 30-14 victory against the Titans, with a stellar performance of passing 202 yards and rushing 73 yards. In his previous outing against the Indianapolis Colts, Willis demonstrated his capabilities, completing 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 41 rushing yards on six attempts.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 1 inch tall, Willis possesses a robust build that allows him to withstand the physical demands of the quarterback position. His playing style is characterized by:
- Strong arm: Ability to make all the throws required in an NFL offense
- Mobility: Exceptional skills as a runner, adding an extra dimension to the offense
- Quick decision-making: Improving ability to read defenses and make rapid choices
Challenges and Areas for Growth
As with any young quarterback, Willis faces several challenges as he continues to develop his NFL career:
- Consistency: Maintaining high-level performance week to week
- Pocket presence: Continuing to improve awareness and decision-making under pressure
- Reading complex NFL defenses: Adapting to the sophisticated schemes employed at the professional level
Off the Field
While Willis tends to keep his personal life private, his family background offers insights into his character. His parents, Harold Willis and Shastca Grier, have been supportive of his football career from an early age. Willis also has two siblings: a brother, Marquis, who plays as a wide receiver, and a sister, Destini, who is a student and cheerleader.
Interestingly, athletics runs in the Willis family. Malik’s uncle, James Anderson, had a successful NFL career, playing 123 games over 11 seasons. This family connection to professional football likely provided Willis with valuable insights and motivation as he pursued his own NFL dreams.
Social Media Presence
In today’s digital age, Willis maintains an active presence on social media. As of 2024, he has amassed over 192,000 followers on Instagram and more than 66,900 followers on X. These platforms offer fans a glimpse into Willis’s life both on and off the field.
Looking Ahead
As Willis prepares for his start against the Titans, all eyes will be on his performance. The Packers’ offensive strategy is likely to leverage Willis’s dual-threat capabilities, although they’ll be facing a formidable Titans defense.
Jeffery Simmons, a key player on the Titans’ defensive front, emphasized their focus on stopping the run: “No one runs the ball on the Tennessee Titans defense,” Simmons stated. “We have to swarm to the ball and make sure everybody gets to the ball. And, quite frankly, we need to get the ball off ’em.”
This matchup will be a crucial test for Willis, potentially shaping his future role with the Packers and his overall NFL trajectory. As Jordan Love continues to recover from his knee injury, Willis has a unique opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially cement his place as a starting quarterback in the league.
In conclusion, Malik Willis’s journey from a promising college player to an NFL starter is a testament to his talent, work ethic, and adaptability. As he faces this pivotal moment in his career, football fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this young quarterback performs under the bright lights of an NFL Sunday. Whether this opportunity leads to a long-term starting role or serves as a stepping stone in his development, Willis’s story continues to be one of the most intriguing narratives in the current NFL season.
