2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Malik Hunter, WR, Virginia State University

• Name: Malik Hunter
• Position: WR/KR/PR
• College: Virginia State University 
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 165
• Twitter: MalikHunt3r
• Instagram: lul.leekk

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I’m a crafty playmaker that can play slot, outside and return kicks. Can  stretch the field and can run the whole route tree well.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I’m willing to play anywhere where a team will need me. I’m a high IQ football player that really understands route concepts. And can dissect coverages on the fly.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

Breast cancer awareness due to seeing my grandma battle breast cancer.

Who was your role model? 

Kevin Durant

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Cowboys

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Ajenavi Byrd 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Catching a brand new football

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Mrs.Shenal

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

One of the hardest moments for me was watching the coach that poured everything into me helping me be the person and player I am now pass away on the field while coaching me. It was traumatic and just off the impact and good person he was alone damaged me for a while and gave me that extra chip on my shoulder. I go pray at the 25 yard line every game in his honor.

Also, I had to overcome last season playing the whole year with a torn labrum and getting surgery pushed back until February. Doctors telling me they don’t know if I would be back in time for my senior year had hurt me mentally, so I went hard in rehab and was able to come back close to a month early and be cleared to full return before fall camp. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Raising Canes

What is your favorite snack food? 

Honeybuns

What is your degree in? 

Management Information Systems

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

Kevin Durant, Steve Smith Sr, and Dez Bryant. Dez and KD were my idols growing up. Growing up in the DMV KD was the first legend I really got to watch throughout my whole childhood. And being a cowboy’s fan Dez’s dawg mentality always stood out to me and just would want to talk bout what goes into being a elite wide receiver every Sunday while being criticized constantly. Being a small receiver just a conversation of how he played so long in the league while during that time being a shorter receiver was frowned upon and proving everyone wrong.

What is your biggest weakness?

Lack of patience sometimes.