Thread by @TaeNToddPodcast

ULTIMATE MALIK WILLIS THREAD:

I watched back 17 full games from Willis' '20-'21 seasons along with critical plays from several other games.

This thread highlights dozens of plays that stood out both positively and negatively in order.

Here we go⬇️
#NFLDraft #NFL

Willis 2nd throw as a starter is a perfect back shoulder ball to #81. Immediately you see his ability to really drive the ball.

3rd & 7. The slot curl is open for a 1st but Willis gets antsy in the pocket.

Granted, it's his first start and he does still manage to pickup the 1st down. The first of 44 3rd downs he'll convert with his legs over the next 23 games.

You can't throw this ball more perfectly.

Willis knows pre-snap that the fade is the right throw. He places it perfectly over the CB and towards the sideline. Should be a completion.

A couple things:

1. I don't like the panicked spin in the pocket.
2. Willis turns 3rd & 17 into 4th and 1 with his legs.

This play highlights how elusive Willis is as a runner. QBs shouldn't be able to do this.

WEEK 2 vs FIU

We'll see this a lot on this thread. Willis does a good job keeping eyes downfield and arm in play while scrambling. He doesn't always look to take off and run immediately.

He can put a lot of stress on defenses in 3rd & long.

Another absolutely perfect fade ball. This time to the endzone.

Willis doesn't flinch with pressure right in his face immediately. He does a great job keeping his eyes downfield and flipping his hips to make the throw while in an awkward position.

Now here's one you just can't miss. He gets himself in good position physically to make the throw, considering he's rolling left as a right-handed QB.

I'd bet he doesn't miss this 9/10. The ball just gets away from him. He's somewhat falling away from the throw but still.

HOW. This play is one of many that makes you want to take the chance with Willis. This is incredible pocket maneuvering and awareness.

Again, keeping eyes downfield. Love to see it.

On this miss, I wonder if Willis is expecting a harder cut by his WR. He rounds out the route some and takes it upfield a bit while the throw is on a line.

Willis shows a willingness to step up in the pocket on this play. Then makes a loooong throw from the opposite hash to outside the numbers.

Another angle on the play above.

Absolutely can't miss this throw. Safety comes down on the run fake leaving nothing but field behind him.

This is week 2 of Willis starting. Fixing this type of miss should be very doable.

Defense brings 5. There's an unblocked blitzer up the A gap.

This is another play showing why you take the chance.

The speed to turn the corner. The contact balance to stay up and gain an additional 45 yards.

WEEK 4 vs UL Monroe:

PA Bootleg from Pistol.

This is a pretty throw while on the move. WR runs a post-corner and Willis puts it perfectly towards the sideline.

It's Trips Left with a Flood concept.

-Outside WR is supposed take the deep defender (gets held)
-Middle slot WR runs a whip route occupying the flat
-Inside slot runs a sail route in between the deep and the flat.

Puts this ball on the sideline right where it needs to be.

Willis was asked to go through reads pretty regularly. On 3rd downs especially. Here you can see him go from 1 to 2 then to his checkdown.

Now, I think he came off of 1 too fast because he ended up being open. But this dispels the notion that he didn't have progressions.

1st INT of Willis' college career. It's an RPO and Willis wants the glance route. The LB shows blitz but ends up staying put and makes a good play to bat and catch the ball.

Switch the middle and inside slot.

Willis juuust misses this throw. 64 air yards. 1 yard too many. Despite the miss, his downfield arm strength is on full display.

This play is a perfect example of why playing man defense vs Willis is so risky. Converting 3rd & 14 should never look this easy.

Another miss downfield for Willis. He missed more downfield in this game than maybe any other game in college.

Don't love his footwork here but I do like that he climbs the pocket and makes the throw knowing he'll take a shot.

Another RPO. Willis senses the blitz off the left immediately. Creates just a enough room to make the throw. WR is wide open because the defense brings 6.

Same concept as the play above and the INT.

Willis sails this ball. The INT may be in the back of his head. He wants to get the ball over the LB but it gets away from him.

After a day plagued by inaccuracy, Willis finished the game with this dime that should've been a TD.

He finished the game 11-29. The lowest completion % of his career (37.9).

This is just the first 3 games. I have A LOT more clips to post. I'll pick it back up tomorrow!

These plays won't come so easy in the NFL. But that's perfect ball placement over the DB.

I think he takes an extra step on his dropback. He definitely needs to perfect his dropbacks. Not a major issue but it needs to be more precise in the NFL.

It looks like this play is designed to go to the WR in the flat who comes across the formation.

In the future, Willis should probably just make the throw. It appears to be there. But the elusiveness is on full display here.

One thing: he HAS to start sliding.

This play stands out because Willis wasn't asked to throw over the middle a whole lot.

The LB gets lost in coverage and Willis delivers the ball right on time. He has good eyes on this play.

Again, the dropback isn't super clean.

This play highlights one of the main questions I have with Willis.

Can he throw with anticipation?

He holds this ball a half second longer than necessary. It works out here but at the next level that half second could be the difference.

2 things stand out in this play:

1. He looks off the safety.

2. He can throw with touch. That's critical.

This play is incredible. Check out the all-22 angle in the tweet below.

It's 4th & 3. Liberty is running a pick play. The outside WR is supposed to pick the CB covering the inside WR. VT plays it perfectly AND gets pressure.

The WR who got the ball downfield is just a decoy.

This is exactly the kind of special play that makes Willis so enticing.

There are about 4 teams in the NFL who can have "QB Draw" as a regular part of their playbook. The team that drafts Willis will make 5.

Also, he needs to slide!

Willis shows good vision on this play. He forced the bail the pocket by the LDE. You're not supposed to throw the ball back across the middle of the field, unless you get away with it 🤷🏽‍♂️

And again, I like that he doesn't look to run immediately.

On the TV angle this looks like a miss by Willis. Maybe it is. But it may also be a bad route by the WR.

Willis puts the ball at the sideline as if he's expecting an out route.

The WR runs more of a comeback route.

Poor route or poor throw?

This ball needs to be thrown with more anticipation. The ball should be leaving his hand in concert with his first hitch.

The second hitch is unnecessary and almost allows the CB to make a play on the ball.

This is an all around clean play. Good protection. Slide up in the pocket. And this is a more NFL-like pocket.

The good protection gives times for the post route to beat the safety.

He could easily take off and run here but doesn't.

I would've loved to see Willis make an anticipatory throw to the curl or the dig here.

Pressure arrives up the middle but the ball could've been out of his hands before the pressure got there.

He goes from right to left and the throws are there to be made right on time.

Yes, it's Western Kentucky. But confidence and accuracy in the face of pressure matters regardless of the competition.

He doesn't look to evade the free rusher and it doesn't affect the accuracy. Good play.

This is a bad miss.

Something is off with the timing of this play and the dropback. He's headed for a 5-step but cuts it short to hit the out and the sped up footwork may be what leads to this miss.

This type of throw is what he struggled with the most in terms of accuracy. Seam routes and over routes. He also doesn't see the wide open over route on this play.

Bad dropback. Too much air under the ball. Overthrown. Willis struggled against NC State all day.

Even during a bad game, Willis makes plays that make you go WOW. This is impressive. Even moreso from the endzone angle.

And it could've been a walk-in TD for him.

Can't even try to explain this one. Just an off game for him.

This ball is way too far inside. It might be a little late too. Tough to tell. Easy INT. Struggles continue.

Watch the footwork at the top of his drop. It resembles the first miss earlier in this game.

This ball needs to be on the sideline.

Again it's way too far inside and an easy INT.

He's missing throws we've seen him make plenty of times.

Even with as terrible a game he had, he helped get them in position to win with throws like this. Good back shoulder throw knowing it's a free play.

LU lost on a blocked 39yd FG.

Willis had his second worst game with accuracy finishing 13-32 (40.6%).

Willis ability to make special plays also has potential to get him in trouble.

This ball should go to the flat. A completely avoidable INT.

Liberty doesn't call for a lot of throws that require Willis to hit WRs in stride while running horizontally. He makes this throw perfectly on a rollout left.

This ball absolutely needs to be thrown towards the sideline. Underthrown = INT. He's lucky this wasn't a pick-6.

"Smooth" is the word I'd use to describe this play.

QB draw to get the ball into FG range for what should've been the game-winning drive. This is a situation where I'm ok with him not sliding.

That's a wrap on Willis' 2020 season. The goal of these threads is not to post highlights. Willis just happens to mostly have highlights from 2020. He was very good.

I'll get started on 2021 tomorrow and then the next QB after that.

Continuing the Malik Willis thread with the 2021 season.

Here we go 👇🏽

Wherever Willis gets drafted, PA bootleg should be used regularly. Especially considering he has the speed the turn the corner like this.

Downfield accuracy on display. This isn't an NFL pocket so the scenario isn't NFL-like. But the accuracy is still good to see.

Willis can throw from the far hash to the opposite sideline with ease.

Nice footwork here. His feet move in sync with his upper body well to deliver an accurate throw.

Love the placement on this throw. DB plays it well but the ball is put in a good spot.

Willis + Good Protection = Perfect Downfield Accuracy.

High/low read and the CB baits Willis into the near INT. If Willis could lead the CB to the flat route with his eyes, he can then hit the deep out. Instead, he leads the CB straight to the deep out.

The play is a fake WR screen. Campbell defends it well. Further down this thread you'll see Willis throw 2 INTs from this same play design. Not this time.

Also, he continues to show his ability to make throws from multiple platforms.

I'll add: he could've thrown it earlier.

Great ball placement on this one. Last season, we saw Willis put some of these throws too far inside and it let to a couple INTs/breakups. This time it's really well thrown and should be a completion.

Again, man defense against Willis can be deadly for defenses. ODU takes away the slant so Willis runs for 55 yards.

And again, sliding needs to become a natural end to runs for Willis.

Willis + Good Protection = Perfect Downfield Accuracy x2

Because Willis has so much mobility, he needs to be able to make throws like this in the redzone. He delivers here.

Willis needs to learn how to balance knowing when the play is over with trying to make special plays. This near INT was completely avoidable.

Willis' arm strength is on full display here. It looks like he could let this ball go a half second earlier but his arm strength will let him get away with it sometimes.

It's a shame this was incomplete.

I imagine Willis' NFL career will be full of plays where he could've stayed in the pocket and made a throw but it won't matter. Plays like this.

Then there will be plays like this. This play shouldn't end in a sack.

Willis almost throws the stick route but hesitates. From there he could easily keep his feet under him, work back to the middle and throw the crossing route.

Instead he bails and holds the ball too long.

Again, he needs to speed his mental clock up. He takes two easily avoidable sacks on the same drive.

Granted, they're winning 42-17.

A play that should be a 7 yard loss ends as a 25 yard gain. Willis has eyes in the back of his head. He's looking left at the speed out and somehow manages to avoid the free rusher from the right.

Now this ball is thrown with good anticipation. Love the placement of this throw.

Really good downfield ball placement to his big-bodied WR Frith.

QB Power. An entirely new element added to the playbook. Willis runs with the power and elusive of some of the best RBs.

I actually like the timing and placement on this throw. The CB just plays with good technique and makes a good play.

Malik Willis the WR!

One way the teams will defend Willis is by spying him. It can be an effective strategy. Especially if you're getting good pressure like on this play. It's works here.

Without using all-22 it's tough to comment much on this play but I would've liked to see Willis display more composure in the pocket. It's only a 3 man rush and I think the protection held up well. He gave himself up to the spy by bailing left too soon.

Willis helps Liberty get back in the game with this perfect throw to the endzone. Despite being under constant pressure in this one, Willis regularly made accurate throws down the field.

See the tweet above. Liberty ties the game on this, again, perfect downfield throw.

This is a laser right in the face of pressure from the right hash to the opposite numbers.

Unfortunately, the game ended on this strip sack.

Liberty runs a 3-man route concept and they all appear to be longer developing routes.

Pressure arrives at the top of Willis' drop and the the spy is there waiting when he steps up.

Only a few QBs in the league could make this throw. It's a truly special play/throw.

But here are my thoughts on it:

He starts left with the flat route but it's covered. He then works back to the middle where the crossing route is coming open
(1/3)

He opts against the crosser and then bails right from the pocket. Then the an equally reckless and spectacular throw which gains more yards than the designed play.

The question for me is... (2/3)

In the NFL can he learn to just throw the crossing route on time and execute within the design of the play. But still make the special plays when the opportunity presents itself.

If he can find that balance, I think he can be truly special. (3/3)

Now this is just special. He breaks 8(!!) tackles on this play. The play was disrupted immediately and Willis still managed to make it a positive play for LU. Eyes in the back of his head again.

This play should be over. It's well covered by UAB (they defended well) and yet Willis gets them to the 2-yard line.

I love to see this. He works through his progressions, stays in the pocket, and delivers a strike with pressure in his face.

What. A. Throw.

We've seen him be very accurate with this type of throw before but he misses by a lot this time.

Check out the mechanical difference between this miss and the throw below.

He makes up for it on the very next drive with this beautiful ball.

Key difference: he hits his top step, slight hitch and throws off his front foot this time.

This is just impressive stuff.

QB Power, again. Willis has great vision while running the ball.

Willis + Good Protection = Perfect Downfield Accuracy x3

First INT of the season for Willis.

Fake WR Screen again. I mentioned before that he threw a couple INTs off this concept.

He either doesn't see the safety or thinks he can fit the ball in before the safety gets there. Either way, it's a costly mistake.

I mean, this is just crazy! THIS is why you get excited about Malik Willis. This can't be taught. Everything he needs to learn to QB in the NFL can be.

This is just pure, natural ability.

How often will Willis have this much room to slide left in an NFL pocket? Probably not often. But man is this throw on the money.

2 INT of the season and this game. IMO, this is more of a good play by the LB than bad play by Willis.

Ideally, he'd see the LB get back under the route but LB timed it up well and made a really athletic play to go up and get the ball.

3rd INT. Just a horribly underthrown ball. He doesn't seem to step up into this throw as much as he could.

This play is just silly. Again, you gotta accept Willis' is going to play his reckless, hero-ball because it can result in such spectacular plays. With some very negative plays sprinkled in.

There's a throw to be made to the back pylon route but Willis doesn't pull the trigger.

This is very simple but I like that Willis doesn't rip this ball in there and decides to throws it with touch. It shows an ability to regulate the velocity of his throws.

Remember earlier when Willis could've worked the crossing route over the middle? He does here. Also, this is goot pocket presence and movement to create room for himself.

This is an inexplicable miss by Willis.

There wasn't much tape available on the Liberty-UL Monroe game but here are a few clips below.

Close game. Midway through the 4th quarter. QB Power strikes again. This time for a critical 50-yard game-tying TD.

I think Willis loses his cool in this pocket too fast. The sails route to the left *appears* to be breaking open as Willis is looking that way.

This is the type of throw Willis struggled with most through his college career. Seam routes over the 2nd level but under the safety.

I think he gets a little too greedy on this play. His checkdown is wide open for a large gain.

Fake the RB Swing. Get the defense moving laterally. Hit the slant right as he clears the 2nd level defender. Beautiful stuff.

Willis had no time in the pocket all game. This is a good escape but he's gotta live for the next down and throw this ball away. Making a bad situation worse.

RPO. Glance is well covered. At that point the play is over so just make something happen. Willis turns a well-defended play into 11 yards.

Willis starts to the left, works back middle and delivers a strike.

Ole Miss is using some of the 3-man rush + spy/delayed rush that worked for Syracuse.

Fake WR Screen again. Well covered again. Willis throws it again. INT again.

Willis actually has good protection on this play. Looks right, doesn't like it. Works middle, doesn't like it. Remains calm and composed in the pocket. Hits the checkdown for 5 yards on 1st down. That's good quarterbacking.

Very next play. The protection doesn't hold up at all. This time they want to work the ball down the field but the LT is beat immediately. Sack.

This is an absolute laser.

My goodness. Watch how far #4 stumbles. This should be an easy sack. Instead, it's a 13-yard gain. Malik Willis is a menace.

And look! A slide! (sort of)

This should've been intercepted. He has to be very careful about sailing the ball on screen plays.

This is why you have to be so careful about pressuring Willis. If you don't get home, he'll make you pay. 23 yards on 2nd & 20.

Willis really doesn't look panicked in these situations. He almost looks comfortable.

Now THAT'S a slide. This play had no chance. Liberty's LT is completely over matched.

We didn't see Willis make this type of throw over the middle very often. Good stuff here.

Another good throw over the middle.

This play is well covered. If Willis sees #12 earlier, there's a throw to be made. He throws it late and doesn't see the CB peel off of 81. Either way, this throw would've ended terribly. Willis got away with this one.

Another good throw over the middle while climbing the pocket.

Louisiana brings 6. Willis buys himself just enough time with a slide to the left. The accuracy of the this under that level of pressure is highly impressive.

I don't think this is a pump fake. I think Willis wanted to throw this ball but saw the WR stumble. He recovers and Willis is still able to make the throw. Unfortunately, the play is called back by penalty.

Nice feet reset by Willis after holding onto the ball.

This is an ugly INT. Willis doesn't see the defender in the flat. Too easy.

This was not a good game overall for Willis.

Willis has to cut his drop short because of the pressure off the right edge. That may have thrown off his rhythm just enough to cause him to miss this throw.

The pocket starts to collapse but he doesn't panic. I like this play from Willis. He displays good poise and vision.

Good throw on top of the CBs helmet. Giving the WR a chance.

99% of the time, Willis is making the first man miss. This throw is reckless but the RB had a chance to catch it.

This is a really, really bad play by Willis. He doesn't throw to his #1. Then takes a terrible loss on 4th & 7.

This appears to be a full-field read for Willis. Good execution.

OK, remember the really bad play on 4th & 7? Complete opposite this time by Willis. Pressure is there again but this time he makes the throw. 1st down.

Impressive off-schedule throw that was dropped.

Again, vertical routes down the middle are the main throws that need improvement.

His eyes led the safety right to the throw that was way to far inside.

Willis misses over the middle for the second time this game.

This is now his third miss over the middle in this game.

Liberty is battling back after being down 31-3. Willis creates more time for himself and doesn't just take off running.

This is a good throw that absolutely should've been caught.

This is a special play. After the 3rd down drop, Willis needs to make something happen.

Bottom of the screen they bring a corner blitz. The safety shades over the outside WR so Willis doesn't throw it. Good decision.

The play extension, the throw with ease, the accuracy. Wow.

Not sure what happens here. Dropback is too far so he can't get enough on the throw.

This drop is completely inexcusable. Willis is helping Liberty battle back from this blowout. It should've been an 8 point game with 5:35 left.

Now on 4th & 10, this ball is completely uncatchable.

Sure, the game is over. Sure, it gets called back due to penalty. But the accuracy on this throw is still worth getting excited about.

Lower body doesn't look great on this underthrown ball.

Willis takes a couple steps fading back in the pocket which you don't love to see but it doesn't matter. The throw is still perfect. 50 air yards on a rope while fading back.

The accuracy on this throw is absolutely INSANE. 55 air yards with the flick of a wrist.

This one gets away from Willis. Can't hit them all.

This throw sails on Willis.

An accurate throw down the seam! Not being sarcastic. This is encouraging to see.

Willis shows some real burst on this run. The he's going to be a lot of fun to watch on Sundays.

The last play of this thread is maybe Willis most impressive throw.

This throw is ill-advised. But the placement is crazy. Needs to be caught.

He has so much potential to be special. I'm hoping it can all come together for him wherever he ends up.