The 2024 NFL Draft will see over 250 new players drafted into the league. Former Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha will be one of them, it’s just a question of when. Here’s everything you need to know about him.
How Tall Is Malik Mustapha
After finishing his college career, Mustapha attended the NFL Combine, where he officially measured inat just a smidge over 5’10”. This would be a little below the NFL Combine average 6’0 1/4″ height for the safeties.
The tallest safety in the NFL is Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens, standing at 6’4″. The shortest, on the other hand, is Ar’Darius Washington, also of the Ravens, standing at 5’8″.
How Much Does Mustapha Weigh?
Mustapha weighed in at 209 pounds at the NFL Combine, which sits nicely above the NFL’s average of just over 200 pounds.
The heaviest safety in the NFL is Miles Killebrew, who weighs 222 pounds. Additionally, JL Skinner, Kyle Hamilton, Jeremy Chinn, and Kyle Dugger are all 220 pounds. The biggest difference, though, is that all of them stand at 6’2″ or taller.
The lightest, however, is Damontae Kazee, who weighs 174 pounds. He weighs just two pounds less than Washington at 176.
How Old Is Mustapha?
Born June 25, 2002, Mustapha is just 21 years old. He declared for the NFL Draft as a true junior, entering the draft as soon as he was allowed. As a result, he will be one of the youngest defensive backs in the NFL as a rookie.
MORE: Top Safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft
Currently, the youngest defensive backs in the NFL are Christian Gonzalez, Kelee Ringo, and Jaylon Jones, who are all 21 years old. The oldest, however, would be Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, who are both 33 years old as of April 25.
What School Did Mustapha Go To?
Born in Charlotte, N.C., Mustapha attended Weddington High School. As a senior, he had 68 tackles and five interceptions. He was not ranked by major recruiting services, such as 247Sports, ultimately committing to Richmond.
However, after just one season with Richmond, he transferred to Wake Forest, where he finished the rest of his career before entering the NFL Draft.
Revisiting Mustapha’s College Career
Starting his career at Richmond, Mustapha didn’t play much, appearing in just four games. He got onto the field quickly at Wake Forest, though, playing in 13 games in 2021 and ending the year with 400 total snaps.
In 2022, Mustapha took the starting role, starting all 10 games and leading the team to a bowl game. He had 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Finally, in 2023, Mustapha had the best year of his career, earning second-team All-ACC. He was named a team captain and finished the season with 67 tackles, five tackles for loss, half a sack, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He was later invited to play in the Senior Bowl.
Mustapha’s Potential in the NFL
According to Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings, Mustapha is a top-64 prospect and a top-five safety in the class.
“He could ultimately command early-to-mid Day 2 capital after testing and would be an incredible value addition if he were to fall to Day 3,” Cummings notes.
“In a modern NFL, where versatility and disruptive ability at the line are equally valuable traits for a safety to have, Mustapha could be one of the most underrated prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, regardless of position.
“Within the box, Mustapha is an absolute menace and homing missile with his closing speed, play strength, and physicality. But he also has the instincts to recognize plays pre-snap, stay square to gaps, and the targeted physicality to splice his way through blocks and work to tackles.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Malik Mustapha
Some of his best attributes include his frame, explosiveness, short-area athleticism, hip fluidity, and play recognition. His weaknesses, however, include his below-average length, and narrow initial pursuit angles.
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