- Name: Malik Baker
- Position: Wide Receiver
- College: West Virginia State University
- height: 5’11
- Weight: 190
- Twitter: malikbaker_
- Instagram: malikbkr0
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft?
My work ethic. It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, and everything I’ve done has been working towards this opportunity. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve gotten better every year, and I know I still have more room to grow. I am always willing to learn, teach, and put to work. I believe that mindset is what will allow me to continue to get better and compete at the highest level.
Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how did you respond?
One time I faced adversity was when I found out I was not eligible for D1. Coming out of JUCO, I had a good year and had some good FBS and FCS schools talking to me, but I found that the mistakes I made at Charlotte, including not passing the class, affected my eligibility. It’s hard to hear, but I know I have no one to blame but myself. Instead of thinking about it, I took charge and turned around. We found the best opportunity for me at the D2 level, and I found a home at West Virginia State University. I learned from my mistakes, earned a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester, graduated with my bachelor’s degree in the spring, and earned First Team All-Conference honors. That experience taught me how to take responsibility, adjust when things don’t go according to plan, and make the most of the opportunity in front of me.
What are your hobbies outside of football?
Some things I enjoy doing outside of football are playing video games. Game of Thrones, 2K, and Madden are probably the main ones I play. I also like being outside and playing other sports like pickleball and basketball. I also play golf, although I’m not very good at it. I also recently started fishing. I’ve only been once, but I really enjoyed it, so after the season I’ll definitely be back.
What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?
I see myself as a reliable slot receiver at the next level who can run good routes, create separation, and make tough catches in big moments for the team. One player I like to model parts of my game after is Amon-Ra St. Brown because of how crafty he is as a route runner, how he creates separation, and how reliable he is when the ball comes to him. I want to be that type of receiver that the quarterback and the team can count on when they need a play.
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
If I could donate to any cause in the world, it would be helping people experiencing homelessness. Having a home was something that my great-grandmother, who passed away, always made very important to me. He taught me the value of having a place where you can be comfortable, stay warm, and lay your head at night without having to worry. It was instilled in me from a young age, so I always have a heart for people who don’t have that. Whenever I can, I try to help, whether it’s giving someone money or even offering them a bottle of water that I have in my car. If I have the opportunity to make a bigger impact, I want to help people get off the streets and have a place to call home.
How do you handle teaching, especially criticism or repeated correction?
When I was young, I didn’t always take instruction the right way. Sometimes I take criticism personally instead of understanding why the coach is saying it. As I got older and older, I realized that great coaches were just trying to help me become a better player. Now, I really appreciate when a coach is straight with me. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me what I’m doing wrong and what I need to fix. I hold myself to a high standard, so if I know I can be better, I’m going to take myself about it too. I want my coaches to hold me to the same standard because at the end of the day, we both want the same thing—for me to be the best player I can be.
Who is the most underrated colleague at your school?
The most underrated player at my school was Mike Fontaine. Mike means dog. He is a natural leader, and when he speaks, everyone listens, but he also supports it on the field. He can cover, he can hit, and he’s smart enough to learn from his mistakes and not make the same mistake twice. He might not always get the recognition he deserves from people outside of our program, but everybody in that locker room knew Mike was that guy.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why would you choose them?
If I could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, I would choose three of my favorite football players of all time: Tom Brady, Odell Beckham Jr., and Ja’Marr Chase. Obviously, it would be cool to sit at a table with those three and hear some of their stories, but I also want to learn from them. I would ask about the things they do behind the scenes that people don’t see and what helped set them apart from the rest. With Brady, I want to hear what he looks for in a receiver and what makes him trust a guy in big moments. With Odell and Ja’Marr, I wanted to learn more about their approach to playing receiver and what helped them excel at the position.
If you were to be benched tomorrow, what would be the likely reason?
If I get benched tomorrow, the most likely reason is that I’m probably not executing to the standard that my coaches expect of me. I’ve been dealing with a foot injury since fall camp and haven’t been 100%, but I’m not using that as an excuse. I’m still out there giving it my all and making plays for my team. At the end of the day, if I’m healthy enough to get on the field, I expect myself to perform, do my job, and give my team my best.
Walk me through your routine before the game?
My pre-game routine starts with waking up about two hours before our team meeting. The first thing I do is shower and brush my teeth, then I cook a light breakfast, usually eggs, turkey bacon, and toast. Once I get to the facility, I take care of everything the team needs. As we get closer to the game, I keep things pretty simple. I will look at the plays again and warm up my hands by catching the ball from different angles without running too much and wasting energy. Before I go out, I often watch a few highlights to keep me going. It could be JSN, Odell, Garrett Wilson, or even some older Tavon Austin and Johnny Manziel highlights. After that, I was locked up and ready to play.
What is your favorite snack?
My favorite snack is definitely popcorn. I love watching movies and going to the theater, and popcorn has always been a part of that experience for me. I even keep it at home and eat it almost every day. If I’m watching a movie, there’s a good chance I’ll have popcorn with me.
What method do you think suits you best?
I feel like I can fit into any scheme because of my versatility. I’m comfortable running the full tree route, making tough catches, and lining up in different spots depending on what the offense needs from me. I also understand that playing receiver is more than just catching the ball. If I have to stick my nose in there and block a linebacker or do the dirty work to help the team, I’m willing to do that too. I feel like no matter where you put me, I’ll find a way to contribute.
What is your degree in?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
What’s the first thing you buy with your first NFL check?
The first thing I do is help my parents in any way I can. Whatever they need or want, I want to take care of them because they’re a big reason I had that opportunity in the first place. They have sacrificed so much for me and supported me throughout this journey, so being able to give back to them means everything to me.
Describe a time in a game where you think you made a mistake, and explain how you recovered?
My senior year at St. Frances Academy, we’re playing IMG Academy in a big game. They dropped the ball in the red zone, and I came back to return it tied at the eight yard line. I watched the ball drop, and it was a routine catch that I make every day, but I dropped it and they recovered it. At that moment, it honestly felt like the end of the world because I knew how big the game was and I felt like I had let my team down. My teammates picked me up and told me to go on to the next play. On our next offensive drive, I got the defensive back on a post, caught it, and scored from about 60 yards out to give us the lead. That moment taught me that mistakes will happen, but what matters is how quickly you can put them behind you and respond.
Give three songs, we can expect in your playlist?
- 20 min by Lil Uzi Vert
- Pray for me Shy Glizzy
- Get well Drake
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to help the underdogs who play the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past few years, and I will continue my mission. We have a number of contributors to this site, and if they contribute, their name and contact will appear in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com