The NFL has invited 324 prospects to the NFL Scouting Combine, it announced on Wednesday, and Liberty quarterback Malik Willis is one of them. The combine will take place in Indianapolis from March 1 through March 7.
Willis is one of 15 quarterbacks that will showcase their abilities in front of top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams. The other quarterback’s invited are Brown’s EJ Perry, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy, Kansas State’s Sklylar Thompson, Kent State’s Dustin Crum, Miami’s D’Eriq King, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, Nevada’s Carson Strong, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Notre Dame’s Jack Coan, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley, Wester nKentucky’s Bailey Zappe, and Western Michigan’s Kaleb Eleby.
Willis becomes the most recent Liberty player to compete in the Scouting Combine, joining most recent invitees Antonio Gandy-Golden, who attended the event in 2020, and Josh Woodrum and John Lunsford who attended the event in 2016. Willis is coming off an impressive performance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl where most analysts continue to project him as a first round draft pick.
After a strong week of practice at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Willis was named the top quarterback on the American team in a vote from defensive teammates. Getting the start at quarterback for the American team, Willis would play the entire first quarter. The last play of the quarter was his biggest highlight, as he was able to reel off a 27 yard run he nearly broke into the end zone before being stopped inside the ten yard line. In the first quarter, Willis completed 2 of 4 passes for 11 yards while carrying the ball five times for 48 yards.
His time at the Senior Bowl did nothing but help his draft prospects as we continue inching towards the 2022 NFL Draft which begins on Thursday, April 28. Willis’ next opportunity to impress scouts following the Combine will be at Liberty’s Pro Day on March 24.
The 6’1″, 225 pound athlete and native of Atlanta, Georgia, finished his time at Liberty with a 17-6 record as a starting quarterback. This past season, Willis completed 207 of 339 passes for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also led the Flames in rushing with 878 yards and 13 touchdowns on 197 carries.
