Name: Malik Forrester
School: Fresno State
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 295
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
My goals were to be able to go to both a bowl game as well as the Mountain West Championship, and to win both of them.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
I would describe my style of play as quick, smart, and physical.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
This offseason training, I will be working speed, technique, and flexibility. At the pro level, everyone’s technique is clean along with having the speed. So if I train for that, the only things that can possibly separate myself would be physicality and the ability to learn the playbook. When it comes to flexibility, it’s something that is much needed. The more flexible I am, the faster I could be able to recover from injuries, since you can’t miss one day at that level of play.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When studying film, I check to see if an offensive linemen’s splits remain the same on run and pass. I check to see if he is a finesse or physical type of player. From there, I check their stances and start to see if on run are they heavy (leaning), on pass are they light (sitting back), or being good at making it unnoticeable. I look for hand signals for plays and cadences, also I check the backfield to look for any tendencies in that formation.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
What separates me from others in my position is my versatility. I can be a 1 gap nose, defensive tackle, and also can play as a 3-4 defensive end, as shown in film. My eyes are good, I have the abilities to see alignments of offensive linemen to call out when a person is pulling or about to block down to give a heads up on pass or run. I’m also quick on my feet with a quick twitch and I can play sideline to sideline and line up for another play like it was my first. I’m also a team player. I’m willing to put my body on the line to get any stop or have my teammates make a play that I can not.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Strengths I would bring on the field are my quickness, toughness, and my physicality. I feel like a player with those types of attributes and is able to learn on the fly, can be someone used on any level. Strengths I would bring off the field is, I’m a really likable person and I would give back and help out communities that need it most.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
My final pitch would be that I might not be the tallest, biggest, or fastest person, but I’m a work horse and a dependable player if you need the job done, I will make it happen.