Malik Willis named finalist for 2021 Dudley Award

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis has been named a finalist for the Dudley Award. The award, which is presented by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, is given annually to the best college football player in Virginia. Willis was named the 2020 Dudley Award winner, becoming the first player in program history to receive the honor.

Willis is one of three finalists for this year’s award, joining Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong and James Madison quarterback Cole Johnson. This year’s award winner will be announced on Dec. 11 directly following the broadcast of the Army vs. Navy football game on CBS 6 in Richmond and online at WTVR.com.

The Dudley Award, named after former Virginia running back Bill Dudley, is presented annually by the Richmond Times-Dispatch to honor the top NCAA football player in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It had resided in the Charlottesville for three seasons after Virginia’s Micah Kiser won the award in 2017 and Bryce Perkins won it in both 2018 and 2019 before Willis claimed the honor this past spring.

On Monday, it was announced that Willis has accepted an invitation to play in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Willis accounted for 67% of Liberty’s total offensive yards in 2021 with 3,446. Willis has completed 194 of 315 passing attempts for 2,626 yards and 24 touchdowns. The redshirt-junior is also Liberty’s leading rusher, having carried the ball 189 times for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 37 career games, including his time at Auburn, Willis has thrown for 4,955 yards and 45 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 2,073 yards and 27 touchdowns.

At Virginia, Brennan Armstrong threw for 4,444 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. JMU quarterback Cole Johnson ranks fourth in school history with 49 career passing touchdowns.

While Liberty has one Dudley Award winner all-time, Virginia Tech leads the way with 12 for the award which has been presented annually since 1990. Virginia has the second most award winners with 9, followed by James Madison who has 5. Old Dominion, Richmond, and Emory & Henry each have 1.