Former Auburn football QB Malik Willis lays egg against Ole Miss
Former Auburn football QB Malik Willis did not have his best showing in front of NFL scouts at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Far from it actually.
The Liberty QB, who was originally recruited by former Auburn football head coach Gus Malzahn before finding a new home in Lynchburg, Virginia after losing the QB battle to Bo Nix, threw three interceptions–including a game-sealing INT in the end zone in the final two minutes–in the 27-14 loss to Ole Miss.
Willis’ offensive line wasn’t keeping him protected, but he still didn’t make the best throws throughout the lopsided whooping. The Flames were down 24-0 to the Rebels before Willis’ legs were the catalyst in coming back.
But the comeback didn’t go very far, and Willis was killed for his performance by analysts after the game:
Malik Willis will answer the question “How far can one bad performance drop a player in the draft?” One of the worst QB performances… with SIXTEEN NFL teams in attendance
— Yanni Tragellis (@yannitragellis) November 6, 2021
I know Malik Willis has improved since Auburn, but I haven't gotten on board with the projections of him as some top-ranked NFL prospect. Good athlete, but if he's one of the top QB prospects in the draft, hmm.
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) November 6, 2021
Ya...so we gonna stop talking about Malik Willis as a first round QB today? He has a lot of work to do as a passer. Seems like some are trying to talk him into being the next Lamar while forgetting that there's only one Lamar.
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) November 6, 2021
Even with a banged up roster, Lane Kiffin and co. avoided catastrophe by not losing to a future Conference-USA school.
Things don’t exactly get much easier for Willis, who finishes his NFL Draft showcase season against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Army, who both grade out as top 30 defenses.