Name: Malik Grove
School: Notre Dame College
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
Some of my goals were to win a conference championship and take my school to the playoffs for the first time in school history.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
Cool, Calm, and Collective. As a Quarterback, you have to stay even keel and not get too emotional because your teammates are following you and looking at you. How you respond to certain situations sets the tone of how everyone else responds.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
Overall get stronger, to be able to take on the physicality at the next level. Working on accuracy is the main thing however. To be able to excel at the next level you need to be able to make accurate throws even if you’re throwing awkwardly to give your Wide Receivers the best opportunities to make plays.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
My coach filters the opponents defense into every formation we have. So, I watch every formation to get tendencies. So, for example, Monday I’ll watch all two by two formations we have. Tuesday I’d watch all three by one formations. Etc. When studying film, I look at the boundary Safety to start. Majority of the time they tell you what type of coverage they’re going to be in whether it’s one high or two high. Then it’s all about dedication of watching it. It’s sort of like when you watch your favorite movie, it’s easy to pick up on certain things. Then after watching it, so many times you pick up on a thing or two different that you didn’t see the previous time. So, it’s all about taking pride in the small minute details. Then we have QB tests to make sure we studied film.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
What separates me from others is that I don’t turn the ball over. Statistically I was the best at the D2 level. As a Quarterback, not turning the ball over gives your team more of a chance to win the game.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I don’t turn the ball over frequently. I take great pride in that. I believe not turning the ball over gives my team the best opportunity to win the game. I am also pocket savy. I have the ability the avoid sacks and still make smart decisions. I’m not your average hard worker, I got above and beyond, and I think my results show that. I have been a leader on the field as well on my campus. I don’t just give 150% in football and 30% in relationships, school and other things. I give 150% in all aspects of life, because I believe the world deserves the best version of me no matter what I am doing. So, that correlates to me being a great player, teammate, friend, and allows me to be very coachable.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
My final pitch is that I only need the smallest opportunity. I’m confident that I will capitalize on any opportunity given to me. Giving me an opportunity to improve your organization would be the best decision an organization could make. I’d give the organization the best version of myself, and that entails being the most consistent hard worker day in and day out.