Malik Nabers (WR)
Measurements:
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 pounds
Classification: Junior
School: Louisiana State
Testing Numbers:
Did Not Test at the Combine
Prospect Background:
This young man is a testament to the age old saying of ‘if you’re good and work hard enough then the league will find you.’
Malik Nabers didn’t have the opportunity to play organized football growing up. His playing career didn’t start until his freshman year at Comeaux High School in Lafayette, Louisiana.
He began gaining notoriety following his sophomore season, and took the state by storm in his junior year, accumulating over 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns.
In a set of unfortunate circumstances however, Nabers and his family moved which caused him to transfer 20 minutes away to Southside High School in Youngsville, Louisiana.
Yet due to a technicality, he was ineligible to play in his senior year after the Comeaux defensive coordinator took the Head Coaching job at Southside prior to the Nabers family moving (there’s a state rule that players can’t follow coaches).
Despite having to miss his entire senior season, Nabers found ways to stay active, participating in every practice and meeting, while coaching teammates up during games.
Even with this mishap, Nabers was able to garner status as a four star recruit — 19th best WR in nation — 6th player in LA. Yet even with high regard he was a bit of a forgotten man in his recruiting class, behind three top 10 players at his position.
But this is a fierce competitor that thrives off being the best and wanting to compete against the best. This is how he became the all-time leader in yards and receptions of the LSU football program. He’s been through plenty of adversity over the years, and he’s just the type of man you just don’t bet against.
Stats:
- Freshman
- Rec: 29
- Targets: 47
- Yards: 430
- TDs: 4
- Sophomore
- Rec: 72
- Targets: 100
- Yards: 1017
- TDs: 3
- Junior
- Rec: 89
- Targets: 128
- Yards: 1568
- TDs: 14
Alignments/Number of Snaps:
- Slot
- 2021: 218
- 2022: 179
- 2023: 241
- Outside
- 2021: 10
- 2022: 266
- 2023: 207
Prospect Overview:
In a program that is as historically profound as LSU is at the wide receiver position, I introduce to you the most accomplished receiver to ever line up in Death Valley: Malik Nabers.
Despite being the second to last guy in the WR room that received his scholarship, Nabers went on to become the programs all-time leader in receptions and yards.
This young man is the total package, despite his smaller stature at 6’0, he tends to play the game much bigger than guys at his size.
Nabers is highly competitive and has a desire to win at all costs. He fights for the football that he truly thinks belongs to him and while there are times where his limited catch radius hinders him — effort will never be the reason.
Despite having a limited route tree when aligned on the outside, he has proven the ability to get open, particularly from the slot.
My favorite trait about this young man is that he has a super power, but as is the problem with most young prospects, he’s still learning how to hone that power an make it A weapon instead of THE weapon.
With Nabers his ability to control his speed is next to none in this class. This is a fast young man. For perspective, he ran a 4.4 in high school His stop-start ability, his short area quickness, and his long speed crafted into one perfect package make him a handful to deal with.
Nabers is a shot creator at the position with his crafty releases and snap at the stem of route which allow him to manipulate space and leverage.
His YAC ability may be his best trait with over half over his receptions on the season going for 15+ yards. Nabers’ skillset projects seamlessly to the next level. He should be able to make a difference immediately at every level of the field.
Nabers could potentially be the next in line for the Terry McLaurin-OBJ-DJ Moore — smaller frame but bigger impact type player.
Cover Image Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
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