Reaction To Malik Willis’ Thursday at the Senior Bowl

Thursday concluded the practice session for the week in Mobile, Alabama at the Senior Bowl, and, by nearly everyone in Mobile this week, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis impressed and saw his draft stock increase. The players at the Senior Bowl will take a break from the practice field on Friday before playing in the Senior Bowl on Saturday afternoon. It will be televised on the NFL Network at 2:30.

Here’s a further look at Malik’s day on Thursday and what people were saying about him:

Wednesday @seniorbowl practice recap: pic.twitter.com/yxv0saYGfL

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 3, 2022

Before he could hit the practice field, Jim Nagy, the Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, recapped Wednesday in Mobile with a simple tweet of Willis and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. There have been a lot of ties this week between the Steelers and Willis.

Malik Willis with some strong throws today. Just about every scout in the building moved to his side of practice to watch his 7on7 redzone reps. Definitely alot of interest

— CrowfootSports (@CrowfootSports) February 3, 2022

Due to the weather, practice on Thursday moved under the roof at South Alabama’s practice field that is open air but protects from the elements. The scouts on hand made sure to pay special attention to the Liberty quarterback. Willis got a chance to get familiar with the facilities at South Alabama in Mobile just a few weeks ago when the Flames took on Eastern Michigan in the Lending Tree Bowl. Willis and his Liberty teammates practiced at this facility, adjacent to Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus at USA.

Malik Willis throwing lasers ⚡️ @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/XFlwGEgmvw

— Dannie (@dannierogers___) February 3, 2022

At Liberty the past two years, we’ve all gotten used to his rocket arm, now the rest of the football world is beginning to take notice.

An NFL source told me yesterday that the #Steelers clearly prefer Liberty QB Malik Willis to Pitt QB Kenny Pickett.

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 3, 2022

More scuttle-butt on the Steelers and Willis.

Just how good has Malik Willis’ arm shown in Mobile this week?

Dating back to the 2018 Senior Bowl, Malik Willis is ranked first in:

Highest Initial Air Speed: 75.7 mph
Average Initial Air Speed: 48.5 mph

Kid has a hose no doubt

— Nick Kendell 🏔 (@NickKendellMHH) February 3, 2022

.⁦@LibertyFootball⁩ QB Malik Willis in post-practice accuracy contest, only QB to hit the back-corner trash can fade route on about a 30-yard toss. Couldn’t drop it in but banged it twice in a row.#seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/YujnajD9I4

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) February 3, 2022

Liberty had similar drills at the Indoor Practice Facility over the past few years.

Malik Willis…the amount of velocity and power on his throws…gracious man. #Liberty #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/p6sYErRr7h

— Jared Feinberg (Burrow stan) (@JRodNFLDraft) February 4, 2022

If the NFL has learned anything over the last few years it’s to bet on coachable kids that can run and have howitzers for an arm.

They don’t care what Malik Willis looked like in 2021. They care what they can turn him into for 2023.

That’s why he’s going really, really high.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) February 3, 2022