ESPN's Mel Kiper Thinks Falcons Could Draft QB Malik Willis No. 8 in 2022 NFL Draft
Jan 24, 2022
MOBILE, ALABAMA - DECEMBER 18: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames throws the ball during the first half of the LendingTree Bowl against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
This year's NFL draft notably does not have a front-runner for the top quarterback in the class. Longtime ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. threw out an interesting name when discussing who might emerge as the most coveted signal-caller in the next few months.
"The mock draft is about what we're hearing, not what we think, and that's why I say, when you look at Malik Willis, I think by the time we get to late-April, he may be the first quarterback taken," Kiper said.
Willis spent the last two years as the starting quarterback for Liberty and was known for his dual-threat ability. In 2021, he threw for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 878 rushing yards and 13 scores.
Kiper noted that if Willis has an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl on Feb. 5 in Mobile, Alabama, it could propel him into the top 10.
"He's got that thick upper body, he's a powerful kid, he's fast, he surprises people with that deceptive speed and that deceptive strength," Kiper said. "If he lights it up in Mobile, he's gonna really be a guy that's gonna maybe end up in that top 10."
As for where Willis might land, Kiper speculated that the Atlanta Falcons might be ready to pick up the successor to longtime quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan has spent his entire 14-year career in Atlanta and threw for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. It was Ryan's first time throwing for under 4,000 yards since his third year in the league, and it was his lowest touchdown total since 2017. Ryan has thrown double-digit interceptions in each of the past three seasons.
"Maybe Atlanta. ... They passed on quarterbacks last year, the heir-apparent to Ryan. Do they pass on the heir-apparent this year? If Willis is really strong in this draft process over the next 94 days leading up to the draft, I think Malik Willis could end up an Atlanta Falcon at pick No. 8," Kiper said.
Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell, Malik Willis Headline QBs on 2022 Senior Bowl Rosters
Jan 4, 2022
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kenny Pickett opted out of Pittsburgh's bowl game against Michigan State, but he will lace it up at the 2022 Senior Bowl.
ESPN's Jordan Reid reported Pickett, North Carolina's Sam Howell, Liberty's Malik Willis, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, Nevada's Carson Strong and Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe will all compete in the Senior Bowl as quarterbacks.
The first thing that jumps out about this year's top QB prospects—not including Ole Miss' Matt Corral, who isn't playing in the Senior Bowl—is that they all come from programs that are not considered traditional football powerhouses.
While players such as Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Alabama's Mac Jones and Ohio State's Justin Fields went from dominating headlines at major programs and competing for national titles during their collegiate careers right into the NFL spotlight as first-rounders in last year's draft, this year will be different.
Yet, this is a group that is accustomed to exceeding expectations.
All Ridder did was lead the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff as they became the first Group of Five team to reach the sport's biggest stage. Pickett directed the Panthers to the ACC title, and Zappe became the NCAA FBS single-season record holder in passing yards and touchdowns while playing for the Hilltoppers.
There will likely be more concerns that Howell and Willis will have to overcome as far as their 2021 campaigns.
Howell was seen by many as a Heisman Trophy candidate for a North Carolina team that could take home the ACC crown. Instead, the Tar Heels went 6-7 and struggled with consistency while their quarterback threw for career lows in yards (3,056) and touchdowns (24) to go with a career-high nine interceptions.
As for Willis, he didn't face the same level of competition at Liberty and struggled in a high-profile game against Ole Miss with zero touchdown passes and three interceptions.
The quarterbacks will have a chance to bolster their draft stock Feb. 5 when the Senior Bowl takes place in Mobile, Alabama, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
In B/R's latest big board, the players were ranked as follows: Ridder (17), Pickett (43), Corral (82, not playing), Willis (87), Howell (92), Strong (93), Zappe (107).
Report: Hugh Freeze, Liberty Agree to New Contract Worth More Than $4M Annually
Nov 24, 2021
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze looks towards his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Liberty Flames head coach Hugh Freeze is set to become one of the highest-paid non-Power 5 college football coaches in the nation.
Freeze and Liberty have reportedly reached a new deal that will pay him more than $4 million annually, per ESPN's Chris Low. The contract will run through the 2028 season.
The new contract is expected to be officially announced Wednesday, Low adds, and it will be comparable to what five SEC coaches are making.
It's a well-earned deal for Freeze, who has been at Liberty since 2019. The Flames went 8-5 during his first season at the helm and 10-1 last season. Liberty also won the Cure Bowl during Freeze's first two seasons as head coach.
The 52-year-old has led the Flames to a 7-4 record this season. Liberty's final game of the 2021 regular season is against Army on Nov. 27.
Freeze's new deal is also an important one for Liberty as the program is set to transition from a FBS independent program to Conference USA beginning with the 2023 season.
Freeze has also coached at Arkansas State and Ole Miss. He went 10-3 at Arkansas State in 2011 and 39-25 in five seasons at Ole Miss from 2012-16. He also led the Rebels to wins in the BBVA Compass Bowl, Music City Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Freeze is 5-2 overall in Bowl games, losing just the GoDaddy.com Bowl in 2011 and the Peach Bowl in 2014.
Freeze resigned as head coach of the Rebels in July 2017 after a "pattern of inappropriate conduct" that included a "one-minute call made from Freeze's University-issued phone to a number associated with a female escort service," according to USA Today'sDan Wolken.
Before joining Liberty, Low adds that Freeze talked to Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee about coordinator and assistant positions.
Liberty Stuns No. 12 Coastal Carolina in Cure Bowl Despite Late Goal-Line Gaffe
Dec 26, 2020
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Coastal Carolina during the first half of the Cure Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
A dream season for the Liberty Flames ended with their biggest win of the season Saturday as they knocked off previously undefeated No. 12 Coastal Carolina 37-34 in overtime at the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Liberty nearly won the game in regulation, but while trying to run the clock down to kick a potential winning field goal, CCU forced and recovered a fumble at the goal line to push the game to overtime. The Flames then blocked a field goal from Coastal that would've forced double overtime to seal the win.
In his second year at Liberty (10-1), head coach Hugh Freeze got his team to 10 wins, a second-consecutive Cure Bowl victory and the program's first win over a ranked opponent.
Coastal had been a darling of college football after making it through the regular season without a loss but found itself on the outside of a New Year's Six bowl regardless. On Saturday, the Chanticleers' dream campaign ended in stunning fashion as Liberty grabbed an early 14-0 lead and forced an epic CCU comeback that fell short.
Notable Performers
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty Flames: 19-of-29 passing, 220 yards, 2 interceptions, 21 carries, 137 yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Joshua Mack, RB, Liberty Flames: 14 carries, 105 yards
It took until late in the third quarter before Coastal Carolina could overcome its own errors and put the Flames on their heels. It was also worth the wait.
After Liberty took a 31-19 lead to begin the fourth quarter, the Chanticleers answered with a score of their own to make it a one-possession game. That set up a fierce six-play, 72-yard drive with five minutes left in the game to knot things up at 34 all. A touchdown pass from CCU freshman quarterback Grayson McCall to Greg Latushko gave way to a two-point conversion that McCall ran in with ease. By the time the drive ended, three minutes remained, though it only took Liberty 1:20 to march right back down to the goal line.
That's where tailback Joshua Mack committed what was almost an unredeemable error by dropping the ball before reaching the end zone after CCU practically begged him to score.
Instead it's just another footnote in what's likely the most memorable bowl game of the season this side of the New Year's Six.
Consider McCall had been virtually flawless all season. On Saturday he tossed his third interception of the year. That he also helped wideout Jaivon Heiligh set a schoolrecordwith 13 receptions against Liberty showed just how difficult it was for him to make any mistakes.
Even before the Flames' goal-line blunder, Liberty was the mistake prone team, not Coastal. The Flames turned the ball over three times and still led the contest with 475 total yards. After both teams traded interceptions to begin the second half, the two went back-and-forth with points on six consecutive drives—the first four coming by way of touchdown.
That led to an overtime where the Chanticleers had an opportunity to take its first lead of the day and instead wound up watching their season end on a blocked field goal as Liberty finally exhaled.
Are The Chanticleers Here To Stay?
The good news for Coastal Carolina is that it appears the majority of their key players are likely to return next year.
The bad news is they'll no longer have the element of surprise.
No college football team will be caught off-guard by the Chanticleers' skill and poise. If they thought earning respect this year was tough, next year may be even more difficult as they attempt to rail against a CFP committee that didn't believe in them. This is, after all, the same program that argued loudly about being overlooked.
Now it has everyone's attention.
Unless the college coaching carousel presents Jamey Chadwell with an opportunity he can't refuse, the Chanticleer's head coach is set to return. So too is McCall, who finished the 2020 campaign with 2,498 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Heiligh is a junior and would return for a final go. So could junior tight end Isaiah Likely and safety Brayden Matts.
They all have earned the opportunity to show the sport this year was no fluke. But it's not always that simple, as the UCF Knights showed following their undefeated season in 2017.
The road will only get tougher. Coastal will at least have the chance to face it with many of the same players that put them on the map in 2020.
What's Next
Both programs will look to prove this year was no fluke and improve the perception of their teams around the country. Coastal will do so with the No. 2 recruiting class in the Sun Belt, per 247Sports composite, which ranks No. 87 in the nation thanks to commitments from 13 3-star prospects.
Liberty, meanwhile, has 10 3-star recruits in a class ranked No. 103 in the nation.
Liberty Head Football Coach Hugh Freeze Tests Positive for COVID-19
Dec 11, 2020
Liberty Head Coach Hugh Freeze celebrates after they defeated the Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Liberty University announced Friday that Flames head football coach Hugh Freeze tested positive for COVID-19 and is dealing with "mild symptoms."
Here's a look at the full statement from the Lynchburg, Virginia, school:
After guiding the Flames to an 8-5 record in his first year, they started the current campaign 8-0 before their first and only loss to NC State on Nov. 21. They rebounded with a 45-0 blowout of UMass to close out the regular season as a matchup with Coastal Carolina last week was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.
The 51-year-old Mississippi native signed a contract extension with the program through 2026 in November.
"All aspects of our program are on the rise under Hugh's leadership, and we are putting the infrastructure in place to make this one of the top Group of 5 programs in the country," Liberty athletic director Ian McCaw told ESPN'sChris Lowat the time.
Freeze previously served as head coach at Ole Miss (2012-16), Arkansas State (2011) and NAIA program Lambuth (2008-09) as part of a three-decade coaching career.
The Flames, an independent FBS member, are bowl-eligible, but their lack of a conference and games being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic could hurt their chances of being selected.
Liberty CFB's Tayvion Land, Tre Clark to Transfer, Citing 'Racial Insensitivity'
Jun 22, 2020
Liberty University's football stadium is empty as students were welcomed back to the university's campus, Tuesday March 24 , 2020, in Lynchburg, Va. Officials in Lynchburg, said Tuesday they were fielding complaints and concerns about the hundreds of students that have returned from their spring break to Liberty University, where President Jerry Falwell Jr. has welcomed them back amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Defensive players Tayvion Land and Tre Clark each announced Monday they are planning on transferring from Liberty University because of racism by the school's leadership.
"My short time spent with the athletic department and most professors at Liberty University was much appreciated as it helped me improve my skills, gain new experiences, and meet a diverse group of friends. Unfortunately, due to the racial insensitivity displayed by leadership at Liberty University, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal and no longer be a student-athlete at Liberty University. I pray that I am able to be provided with an opportunity at a new school that respects my culture and provides a comfortable environment."
As Liz Roscher of Yahoo Sports noted, Clark announced his own decision a mere 10 minutes later:
"I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal and I will no longer be attending Liberty University. This decision has been well thought out and prayed on. This decision is simply bigger than football or the program. The program, staff, and teammates were a complete blessing to my live. Over this year I have developed relationships that I will forever cherish and bonds that will not be broken. However, due to the cultural incompetence within multiple levels of leadership, it does not line up with my code of ethics. So therefore I had to do what I felt like was right in my heart and I pray that you support me and pray for me as I find a new home to further my education and football career. Thank you!"
*Announcement* I have entered my name into the transfer portal I will no longer be attending Liberty University please respect my decision ✊🏿. pic.twitter.com/HmsHD7DeRJ
The reasons for the transfers echoes what basketball player Asia Todd said when she announced she was entering the transfer program. While she stressed her coaching staff and teammates on the women's basketball team were "amazing," she pointed to the "racial insensitivities shown within the leadership and culture" as reasoning for her decision:
Announcement: I have entered my name into the Transfer Portal and will no longer be attending Liberty University 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/LwESGkjwNs
Todd, Land and Clark did not mention specific instances but instead highlighted an overall leadership problem.
Liberty's president is Jerry Falwell Jr., who is the son of pastor and Liberty founder Jerry Falwell. In early June, Falwell Jr.tweeteda photo of a mask printed with an image of a person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe. After black alumni and religious leaders denounced the tweet, Falwell deleted it and issued an apology.
Scott GleesonofUSA Todaynoted Land was the highest-rated recruit to sign with Liberty. The 3-star prospect, per247Sports'composite rankings, was part of the class of 2019 and wasexpectedto attend Maryland by a number of 247Sports' experts.
According to Gleeson, both Land and Clark were expected to start during the 2020 campaign.
The Flames went 8-5 last season as an independent program without a conference affiliation.
Michael Oher's Brother, Sean 'SJ' Tuohy Jr., Named to Liberty's Football Staff
Feb 4, 2020
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Hugh Freeze of the Liberty Flames calls a timeout in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
Sean "SJ" Tuohy Jr., the younger brother of former NFL offensive lineman Michael Oher, has joined the Liberty football coaching staff.
Tuohy will serve as assistant athletic director of football operations. Head coach Hugh Freeze said his duties will include "helping out with logistics such as travel and budgets" and on-campus recruiting, per ESPN's Dave Wilson.
Tuohy was played by actor Jae Head in The Blind Side, a 2009 biopic that showcased Oher and his journey to Ole Miss. Freeze was Oher's high school coach at Briarcrest Christian School in Tennessee and has a close relationship with the Tuohy family. Wilson noted that Freeze baptized Tuohy.
Freeze is entering his second year at Liberty. He guided the Flames to an 8-5 record and a victory over Georgia Southern in the Cure Bowl in 2019.
Tuohy was a special teams coach at SMU and assistant director of football operations at Arkansas prior to joining Liberty.
Stephen Calvert, Liberty Top Georgia Southern 23-16 to Win 2019 Cure Bowl
Dec 21, 2019
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames warms up before the start of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
The Liberty Flames won a postseason game just two years after their move to the FBS, defeating the Georgia Southern Eagles in the 2019 Cure Bowl at Orlando's Exploria Stadium on Saturday.
Quarterback Stephen Calvert led the way for Liberty. The senior wasn't perfect, as he had two turnovers, but he had 270 yards passing in the win.
The defense did a terrific job of stifling Georgia Southern's potent rushing attack. The Eagles had 154 yards, but they needed 46 carries to get there.
Georgia Southern put together a valiant effort after it fell behind 23-7, but the offense couldn't put the ball in the end zone. Only one of its four trips to the red zone resulted in a touchdown; kicker Tyler Bass did go 3-of-3 on field goals—none longer than 35 yards.
Notable Game Stats
Stephen Calvert (Liberty): 16-of-35, 270 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Frankie Hickson (Liberty): 22 carries, 120 yards
Johnny Huntley (Liberty): 2 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
Mark Michaud (Georgia Southern): 2 receptions, 53 yards
Big Plays, Defense Carry Liberty to First Bowl Win
The hallmark for Liberty's success in 2019 was its explosive offense, which ranked34th in the FBS with 442.5 yards per game. That group scored at least 35 points in five of its seven regular-season wins.
It wasn't a surprise, then, to see the Flames open up the playbook Saturday. Calvert didn't have a great game by completion percentage, but he still managed two touchdown passes.
Liberty's first score of the game came on a perfect play call when the Eagles were caught off guard on a play-action fake that left Johnny Huntley wide open in the middle of the field for a 57-yard touchdown.
Georgia Southern's offense is the antithesis of Liberty's. Head coach Chad Lunsford utilizes a run-heavy scheme that has produced tremendous success in his two full seasons with the program.
The Eagles entered the Cure Bowl ranked eighth in the nation with 261.5 rushing yards per game. They certainly didn't abandon their ground attack Saturday, especially early on in keeping pace with Liberty.
After Georgia Southern tied the score at seven, the Flames settled in on both sides of the ball to take control. Calvert had consecutive completions of 18 and 30 yards on the next drive, and the defense committed a pass interference penalty for 15 yards.
Those big plays set up Joshua Mack's go-ahead touchdown run from three yards out. The Flames added a field goal at the end of the second quarter to go up 16-7 at the intermission.
Coming out for the third quarter, Hugh Freeze's offense kept its foot on the gas pedal. Antonio Gandy-Golden used his 6'4" size to beat Liberty cornerback Monquavion Brinson in one-on-one coverage for an easy touchdown catch.
The Eagles responded with a field goal soon after. Calvert was picked off three plays after that, but his defense came up with a stop on 3rd-and-8 to force a field goal on fourth down.
Neither team could get anything going against the opposing defense over the final 18 minutes of game time. Four consecutive drives ended in punts, including a run of three straight three-and-outs between both offenses until Georgia Southern went 55 yards in 13 plays late in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles had an opportunity to get the ball back with an onside kick in the final two minutes of regulation. It initially appeared like they recovered the ball, but officials called an illegal touch because it didn't travel 10 yards.
Liberty was able to run out the clock and seal the program's biggest win in its short FBS history. Freeze and his staff have this team trending in the right direction as it builds toward 2020.
Photo: Liberty HC Hugh Freeze to Coach from 'Medical Chair' vs. Louisiana
Sep 6, 2019
Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze arrives to coach from a wheelchair in the coaches' box against Syracuse in an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Bell)
A week after coaching from a hospital bed, Liberty football coach Hugh Freeze has a more manageable setup for this week's game against Louisiana.
Freeze will coach from a "medical chair" Liberty sent to Louisiana to be installed in the press box for the game, per Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports.
The coach is recovering from surgery for a staph infection that was considered life-threatening. He had complained of back problems during training camp before his diagnosis.
"The doctors told me if it had been another 24 hours, that strand of bacteria could have gotten to my heart and that I would have been fighting for my life," Freeze told ESPN's Chris Low. "It's the way God works because there's no doubt that bacteria would have killed me if [Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr.] wasn't so quick to make sure we got the right people involved."
Liberty had Freeze coach from the press box in a hospital bed for last week's 24-0 loss to Syracuse. Heeven spoketo the team at halftime and provided adjustments via FaceTime.
Louisiana's press box does not have enough room for a hospital bed, so an alternative plan had to be made.
Freeze is in his first season as Liberty's head coach. He coached at Ole Miss from 2012-16 before resigning amid a recruitment scandal.
Liberty HC Hugh Freeze to Coach from Hospital Bed Because of Staph Infection
Aug 31, 2019
Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze arrives to coach from a wheelchair in the coaches' box against Syracuse in an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Bell)
A health issue will keep Liberty Flames head coach Hugh Freeze from being on the sidelines as his team takes on the 22nd-ranked Syracuse Orange on Saturday, but it won't stop him from coaching during the game.
According to Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com, Freeze will work from a hospital bed in the coaches' booth.
Yahoo Sports tweeted out a picture of Freeze coaching from the booth:
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) August 31, 2019
The 49-year-old underwent surgery on Aug. 16 after a "potentially life-threatening strand of staph infection entered his bloodstream" and worsened the pain in his back caused by a herniated disk. Bailey noted Freeze is most comfortable when reclined.
According to Hank Kurz Jr. of the Associated Press, Freeze plans to address his team by video before the game, during halftime and after the game.
The first-year Liberty coach revealed to ESPN's Chris Low earlier this month that he had been dealing with back pain for years but it reached a new level during a scrimmage. At that point, his back had tightened up to the point where it was difficult for him to climb up the stairs at his house and, ultimately, to walk in general.
Freeze was transported to the hospital by an ambulance the next day and doctors later discovered a staph infection. Freeze explained to Low how doctors caught the infection just in time to prevent it from potentially threatening his life:
"The doctors told me if it had been another 24 hours, that strand of bacteria could have gotten to my heart and that I would have been fighting for my life. It's the way God works because there's no doubt that bacteria would have killed me if President Falwell wasn't so quick to make sure we got the right people involved."
Since then, he has had to get creative in how he has coached:
Freeze has been away from college football the past two seasons following his five-year run at Ole Miss coming to an end amid an NCAA investigation for recruiting and academic violations. He resigned in July 2017 after it was discovered during the investigation that he made phone calls to a number associated with a female escort service.
Ole Miss received, among other punishments, three years of probation and a two-year postseason ban as a result of the scandal.
