2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Malik Baker, WR, West Virginia State University

• 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. This is something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, and everything I’ve done has been working toward this opportunity. I take pride in the fact that I’ve gotten better every year, and I know I still have more room to grow. I’m always willing to learn, be coached, and put in the work. I believe that mindset is what will allow me to continue getting better and compete at the highest level.

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

A time I faced adversity was when I found out I wasn’t D1 eligible. Coming out of JUCO, I had a great year and had some good FBS and FCS schools talking to me, but I found out that mistakes I made at Charlotte, including not passing a class, affected my eligibility. It was hard to hear, but I knew I had nobody to blame but myself. Instead of dwelling on it, I took accountability and pivoted. 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 accountability, adjust when things don’t go as planned, 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. Call of Duty, 2K, and Madden are probably the main ones I play. I also like being outside and playing other sports like pickleball and basketball. I play golf too, even though I’m not very good at it yet. I’ve also recently started getting into fishing. I’ve only been once, but I really enjoyed it, so after the season I’m definitely going to get back into it more.

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level? 

I see myself being 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. A 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 his way. I want to be that type of receiver that the quarterback and the team can depend 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 my great-grandmother, who passed away, always made very important to me. She taught me the value of having a place where you can feel comfortable, stay warm, and lay your head at night without having to worry. That was instilled in me from a young age, so I’ve always had 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 I have in my car. If I had the opportunity to make a bigger impact, I would want to help people get off the streets and have a place they can call home.

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

When I was younger, I didn’t always take coaching the right way. Sometimes I would take criticism personally instead of understanding why the coach was saying it. As I’ve gotten older and matured, I’ve realized that good coaches are only trying to help me become a better player. Now, I actually appreciate when a coach is straightforward with me. If I’m doing something wrong, tell me exactly 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 get on myself about it too. I want my coaches to hold me to that same standard because at the end of the day, we both want the same thing—for me to become the best player I can be.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

The most underrated player at my school is Mike Fontaine. Mike is the definition of a dog. He’s a natural leader, and when he speaks, everybody listens, but he also backs it up on the field. He can cover, he can hit, and he’s smart enough to learn from his mistakes and not make the same one twice. He might not always get the recognition he deserves from people outside of our program, but everybody in that locker room knows Mike is that guy.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why did you choose them? 

If I could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, I’d choose three of my favorite football players of all time: Tom Brady, Odell Beckham Jr., and Ja’Marr Chase. Obviously, it would just be cool to sit at a table with those three and hear some of their stories, but I’d also want to learn from them. I’d ask about the things they do behind the scenes that people don’t see and what helped separate them from everyone else. With Brady, I’d 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’d want to learn more about their approach to playing receiver and what has helped them become great at the position.

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason? 

If I were benched tomorrow, the most likely reason would probably be that I wasn’t executing at the standard my coaches expect from me. I’ve been dealing with a foot injury since fall camp and haven’t been 100%, but I don’t use that as an excuse. I’ve still been out there giving everything I have and making plays for my team. At the end of the day, if I’m healthy enough to be on the field, I expect myself to execute, do my job, and give my team my best.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

My pre-game routine starts with waking up about two hours before our team meeting. The first thing I do is take a shower and brush my teeth, then I’ll make a light breakfast, usually eggs, turkey bacon, and toast. Once I get to the facility, I take care of everything required with the team. As we get closer to the game, I keep things pretty simple. I’ll look over the plays one more time and warm up my hands by catching the ball from different angles without doing too much running and wasting energy. Before I walk out, I usually watch some highlights to get myself going. It could be JSN, Odell, Garrett Wilson, or even some older Tavon Austin and Johnny Manziel highlights. After that, I’m locked in and ready to play.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack would definitely be 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 probably eat it almost every day. If I’m watching a movie, there’s a pretty good chance I have some popcorn with me.

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in? 

I feel like I can fit into any scheme because of my versatility. I’m comfortable running the full route tree, 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 need 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 wherever you put me, I’m going to find a way to contribute.

What is your degree in? 

I have my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check? 

The first thing I would do is help my parents out in any way I could. Whatever they needed or wanted, I would want to take care of them because they’re a big reason I would even have that opportunity in the first place. They’ve sacrificed a lot for me and supported me throughout this journey, so being able to give back to them would mean everything to me. 

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

My senior year at St. Frances Academy, we were playing IMG Academy in a big game. They punted the ball down into the red zone, and I was back to return it with my heels around the eight-yard line. I watched the ball come down, and it was a routine catch that I make every day, but I dropped it and they recovered it. In 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 move on to the next play. On our next offensive drive, I got behind the defense on a post, caught it, and scored from about 60 yards out to put us ahead. That moment taught me that mistakes are going to happen, but what matters is how quickly you can put them behind you and respond.

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

1. 20 min by Lil Uzi Vert
2. Pray for me Shy Glizzy 
3. Well be fine Drake