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College football rankings: Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler and the top 20 quarterbacks of 2021

By Cody Williams

Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Malik Willis, Liberty Flames
Malik Willis, Liberty Flames. (Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports) /

7. Malik Willis, Liberty

Malik Willis began his college career at Auburn but, after barely seeing the field, he elected to transfer. Following sitting out the 2019 season, he took over Hugh Freeze’s offense at Liberty in the 2020 season and the result was by far the best season in the history of Flames football. And the ultra-gifted signal-caller was at the forefront of that success.

In his first season under Freeze, Willis was exceptionally prolific and showcased how he ended up at Auburn in the first place. He threw for 2,250 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions over 10 games but also added an eye-popping 944 rushing yards with 14 trips to the end zone using his legs. It’s safe to say he’s a premier dual-threat quarterback in college football.

There’s so much to like about what Willis brings to the table, especially considering it was his first season starting last year. He is obviously supremely athletic with how he can make plays in the rushing attack, either designed or out of structure, but he also has an absolute missile launcher attached at the shoulder, thus allowing him to take the top off defenses with big throws.

Where Willis falls short a bit is in his consistent short and intermediate accuracy in addition to simply not being the uncanny playmaker every time he takes the field. But with a year of experience under his belt and with the tools he possesses, he has a legitimate chance to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.