2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Isaiah Malcome, RB, Saginaw Valley State University

• Name: Isaiah Malcome
• Position: RB
• College: Saginaw Valley State University
• Height: 5’5″
• Weight: 180 lbs
• Twitter: @zaymalcome

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Since I was 4 years old, I’m the youngest in my family and I grew up around my older brother playing sports. Football was the first sport my dad let me play and the coach liked me alot and I just really wanted to be am athlete.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I have 2 moments. My junior year of high school we won the state championship, I really liked seeing championship banners up in the school and blessed that we won that game and something I’ll never forget. My senior year of high school getting all state and there’s a touchdown club in Atlanta that I got recognized on and I’m glad that it shows hard work pays off.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My dad, just because of his work ethic and approach towards things. And shows that sacrifices and the way you carry yourself is big and seeing him do that is pretty huge and plays a big part in my life.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I’m a spark plug I feel like when people look for a play and a spark I’m that type of guy and the way my versatility is big to helping me add the spark in different ways and whatever I can do to win is what I care about.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Ernie Davis, I don’t know if you heard about the Express but it shows how he kept his focus and play at a high level when he was at Syracuse and when he got leukemia in the NFL I would really like to pick his brain but I think it would be cool to talk to him.

What is a moment that improved you the most as a football player?

My first game my junior year in college, my first 2 years I didn’t play as much and I was still trying to get better and improve myself and I got 150 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game and I didn’t really care about the statistics but it showed that I belong and the moments leading up to that season made me the football player I am and nothing comes easy you have to put in the hard work and have the confidence I am here to stay.

What should we know about Isaiah Malcome the person?

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Being a small guy you have to defy odds to get where you are and you can misunderstand people and if you don’t understand you have to know to ask questions because everyone in life is different you have to be comfortable with who they are and you never know what people are and I’m a down to earth person and I want to hear what makes you, you. And building relationships and having connections is important. I want people to know that you are never alone.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

Multiple offense, I feel when you have alot of talent there’s alot of ways you can get people involved in different ways like 2 back personnel or on the outside or run smashmouth it’s hard to prepare for and it’s the most versatile and you can get the most people involved.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I attack it head on, I’m a firm believer in God and I believe everyone has a plan and purpose and the only way to progress is to move forward and there’s a lesson in everything and it shows you what you need to improve on and just not being timid about the approach and conflict and we are in this life. Those challenges and tests find you a purpose in that plan.

What would a NFL team get in a player like you?

I would give them my work ethic and passion for the game and the way I carry myself, and the main thing I would give the team is hope when people see me I give belief and confidence goes a long way. And that you can overcome anything in your way and keep you head down and everyone has their time.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Saginaw Valley State?

The team and the players. Everytime you come into a new environment it’s hard to find players you trust and the players here want to help everyone and everyone wants to get better and the coaching staff shows that belief in me and that you can be the player you want to be and I have alot of thanks for Saginaw for welcoming me with open arms.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Ryan Cragun from my time at Penn now at UCLA, the first day I saw him, he was one of those players that’s different and seeing him play receiver the toughness and grind he was playing the best even in a position he wasn’t the best at. I think he’s going to show the world he can play football the way I know he can.