11:43 p.m. ET
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Conclude
- Covered Eagles for USA Today
- Covered the Ravens for the Baltimore Times
- Played college football at Cheyney University
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The wait is finally over for Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, who was picked by the Tennessee Titans with the second of their two third-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft.
The Titans rose Friday night, picking Willis 86th overall after sending a third-round pick (No. 90) and a fifth-round pick (No. 169) to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Widely projected as a first-round pick, Willis was invited to Las Vegas by the NFL to be in the draft. This honor is usually reserved for a player likely to be selected in the first round.
Despite the wait, Willis stayed in Las Vegas until he was selected and was elated to hear his name called as he celebrated with his family. Willis said he didn’t pack a second suit, so he and his group of 100 friends and family decided to go to a bowling alley to celebrate when he was selected.
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“I’m just blessed to have a place to call home and grateful for the opportunity to play at the next level,” Willis said. “It wasn’t really difficult. At the end of the day, if you don’t have control over something, it’s not something to really get angry about. I’m just grateful to be here and to be a Tennessee titan.”
Willis said he held no grudges for the teams that passed him.
“I always have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I don’t think the draft can put another chip on my shoulder. It’s cool. God brought me here for a reason. I’m not going to be mad because I’m where I am because a lot of people wish they could be here.”
Titans general manager Jon Robinson said he could hear Willis’ excitement while they were on the phone when news that he’d been drafted broke in.
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback picked in the first round when the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him 20th. Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder was the second quarterback pick, 12 picks ahead of Willis at number 74.
Willis finished last season at Liberty with 2,857 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was also a standout during practice week at the Senior Bowl.
“Good arm, athletic and moves well,” Robinson said of Willis. “He’s got really good skills and throws a good ball. He’s tough to fight but he’s busy like all rookies.”