Malik Willis

Former Liberty Flames standout quarterback Malik Willis became the ninth player in program history to be selected in the NFL Draft when the Tennessee Titans picked him in the third round in 2022. Willis was the 86th overall pick. He is the first Flame selected in the draft since wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden was taken in the fourth round in 2020 (142nd overall pick). Willis became the second-highest NFL Draft pick in program history. The Flames’ top NFL Draft pick was Eric Green, who was selected in the first round (21st pick) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1990. Willis had an award-winning season in 2021. The quarterback was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award and a top 10 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Willis was Liberty’s top offensive threat in 2021, accounting for 65.9 percent of the Flames’ total offensive yards in 2021 (Team Yards: 5,671/Willis: 3,736 – Rush 878, Pass 2,857). Willis’ total offensive yards rank No. 2 in single-season program history. In his final season at liberty, Willis completed 207-of-339 passing attempts for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns. The redshirt junior was also Liberty’s leading rusher, having carried the ball 197 times for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns. In recognition of his stellar play on the field and outstanding character off the gridiron, Liberty’s Malik Willis was named the 2021 Bobby Bowden Trophy winner. The Bobby Bowden Trophy recognizes the college football playoff player who epitomizes a student-athlete of faith. The award winner must conduct himself as an exemplary model in the classroom, on the field, on campus, and in the community. The native of Atlanta, Ga., was also on numerous national award watch lists: CFPA National Performer of the Year Award, Manning Award, Reese’s Senior Bowl, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2021-22 Preseason Big Board.

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