2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Maliek Cote-Azore, DB, Wilfrid Laurier University

• Name: Maliek Cote-Azore
• Position: DB
• College: Wilfrid Laurier University
• Height: 5′ 11″
• Weight: 182 lbs
• Instagram: @maliek_cote

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

My little brother, he started playing before me and got me interested and into it. Seeing how he enjoyed it and played and ever since then I just fell in love with the sport.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Winning the Yates Cup with my team this season. The amount of hard work and dedication we put in to beat a good program like Western was a great moment with the guys.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Be one of the best defensive backs I can be at the professional level and have a huge influence on my teammates and team and be one of the best players I can be.

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

Ray Lewis, seeing his energy and passion he brought along with his physicality was above a lot of players and I would love to hang out with him.

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

My mother, she has always been hardworking and given me everything I asked for and helped me play football at a college and inspires me every day.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

Man coverage, just being able to deal with the pressure of one on one and showing the confidence of how you can compete with other athletes and who is better overall and I definitely love that.

What should we know about Maliek Cote-Azore the person?

I’m someone that loves a challenge and proving myself day after day. And being able to grow and be the best version of myself.

What stands out about your film the most?

My physicality especially as a corner and being able to come down and make a tackle and cover as well shows my versatility and my physicality is what stands out the most.

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

You attack it head on, accept it, believe you are going to overcome it and be victorious at the end of the day.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A competitor, brings energy every day, loves to compete, hold himself accountable and looking to improve himself each and every day.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

The brotherhood and bond you create with your teammates, with so many athletes you can call your teammates and that’s my favorite part about the game of football.

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

Jayden Griffiths a linebacker from my school, just overall the hard work and mentality he has on the team just stands out from others and on the field he’s just so versatile which is why I think he’s so underrated and he also doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for sure.