If there wasn’t a Malik Willis hype train headed towards Charlotte, N.C. before this past weekend, then there’s certainly one on its way now.
With the Carolina Panthers in desperate need of a quarterback and in possession of the upcoming draft’s sixth overall pick, the dots between the franchise and the Liberty University passer are starting to be connected. And that connection has especially picked up steam due to Willis’ performance at this year’s Senior Bowl.
Draft Wire’s Gavino Borquez named his biggest winners of the all-star event on Monday. Of them, of course, is Carolina’s potential first-round choice.
“On tape, the physical traits and arm strength of Willis always popped,” Borquez writes. “However, the things he needed to show improvement were his mechanics and throwing with anticipation. Benefiting from a more robust support cast than the one he had in college, Willis checked those boxes as he coupled his rocket-like arm with pinpoint accuracy, all while dealing with rugged weather conditions the first two days of practice. His showing helped his draft stock, and if a team wants him, they may have to trade up into the top-10.”
Willis didn’t put that arm on display much during the game itself, only completing two of his four attempts for 11 yards. But his showings at practice—and his electric runs on Saturday—were more than enough to get the buzz going.
The buzz also extended to the worldwide leader. ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid mocked Willis to the Panthers in his new set of projections on Monday.
So you might want to buy your ticket before this train passes you by.
