Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley lit the nation on fire this season. Corley is thriving in the Hilltoppers’ high-tempo offense. The Orange City, Florida native has already accumulated 49 receptions for 647 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through eight contests. A big-play threat waiting to happen, Corley is averaging an explosive 13.2 yards per reception, and is well en route to a second straight 1,000-yard season.
A physically impressive receiver, Corley is a dynamic athlete with the acceleration necessary to stretch opposing defenses. Corley is a menace in the open field that creates extra yardage for himself after the catch. He is simply one of the most impressive prospects in college football.
Corley recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about what he offers as a pass-catcher, how he approaches route-running, the threat he poses in the open field, and why playing in WKU’s offense has prepared him for the next level.
JM: When combing through your tape, it’s impossible to ignore the 207-yard, three-touchdown performance against Louisiana Tech earlier this season. What was it like being in the zone for that game?
Malachi Corley: I knew it was going to be a special night from the jump. When I caught that screen [pass] and broke that first tackle, I knew I was going to the house. It was going to be an even bigger night from there.
I had a great feeling going into that game. I had a great week of preparation. We had a great game plan. I was schemed to get the ball. I knew it was going to be the week I finally took off. In my opinion, I was having a mundane season up to that point. It was great for me to break out of my shell.
JM: It sure was. When we turn the tape on, we see a dynamic receiver prospect with the long speed necessary to make explosive plays. How did you craft such explosive abilities?
Malachi Corley: Honestly, I’ve worked for every ounce of what I have. I didn’t start off as the biggest, strongest, or fastest guy. I’ve worked myself into that position. It’s been a long time coming. Thus far, I’ve put in about 12 years of work into this process.
I started lifting weights and strength training during my junior year of high school. Ever since I’ve been at Western Kentucky, this strength staff has done a terrific job getting me stronger and more explosive. I’ve proven that year in, year out on tape. Credit to my strength staff for getting me a lot stronger and faster. I’ve stayed in the weight room. I think it helps separate me from other receivers.
JM: You’re dynamic in the open field as a run-after-catch threat. You’re extremely elusive in the open field. How did you develop those aspects of your game?
Malachi Corley: It goes back to my training and having a great overall feel for the game. Getting so many in-game reps throughout my career has been invaluable. Dating back to middle school and high school, I’ve always been a high-volume player. I’m used to having the ball in my hands. Whether that’s through the air, handoffs, or even jet sweeps, I’ve been used in a variety of ways. I’ve gained such a great feel for that as the years have gone by.
When I work out and practice, I’m sure to practice making moves after the catch and visualizing myself in the open field. I try to put myself in advantageous positions to make something happen after the catch. I know where defenders are diving in from, I know what angles they’re trying to take. The more in-game reps you get, the easier it becomes.
JM: How do you approach route-running? What are some of the ways you create the separation?
Malachi Corley: You have to feel the defender out. I love checking his temperature. You have to realize when you need to run a route at full sleep. At other times, you have to slow down. Sometimes you have to stack a guy. Other times, you need to alter your tempo in order to set something up.
It’s honestly all about having a great feel. It’s about knowing when to get out of your breaks and when to set a guy up. It’s about knowing when you have to rely on your speed. There’s so much that goes into it.
It’s all about getting open at the end of the day. It’s about reacting to how the defender is trying to cover you. Whatever leverage they’re playing you with, you have to use that to win.
JM: We love that confidence and approach. Do you have a favorite route to run?
Malachi Corley: I love running a good comeback route. That’s one of my favorite routes. You get to set it up for a good 10-15 yards before sitting it down. The comeback route allows you to show off your speed in the beginning, and then show off how you can get out of a break in three steps.
I don’t get to run that route very often in our offense. Whenever I get to the NFL Scouting Combine and my Pro Day, I plan to put some comeback routes on tape.
JM: I’ll put you in a little scenario. Would you rather score a 75-yard touchdown, or make four-plus catches on a long drive that still ends with a touchdown?
Malachi Corley: I’ll take the four catches that still end with a touchdown catch. For me, that’s going to look a lot better on the stat sheet. If you have four catches on one drive that ended with a touchdown, you probably had multiple 15-20 yard catches. You’re putting some good stuff on film. If you have a drive like that, you’re probably ending the game with 10 catches and multiple touchdowns.
JM: As you’re known to do (laughs). Even when you’re not as involved, you’re drawing penalties and causing issues for the defense, creating spacing for your teammates. How do you stay involved in the offense when you’re not seeing as many targets as you usually do?
Malachi Corley: Especially this year, I’m seeing a lot of double teams, bracket coverage. They’re trying to take me out of the game. I’ve gotten really involved as a run blocker this season. Being a bigger-bodied guy, I can get out there and crack a linebacker or safety. I want to help our offensive line, help our run game out.That’s one way I’ve been getting involved. Because I’m facing so much bracket coverage, we’ve had some success using me as a decoy to create opportunities for my teammates as you said. I can run this route in order to open up another window for a teammate.
Those are just some of the ways I can help the offense out when I’m not getting the ball. I’m a selfless player. Whatever it takes to win the game. I’m happy to be used as a decoy, or as somebody that can block in the run game.
JM: You’ve showcased terrific chemistry with quarterback Austin Reed. How did you two develop that natural feel?
Malachi Corley: Honestly, I was already established when he got here. When he came in, we immediately had a great feel for each other. We began to run routes with one another after practice. We were putting extra work in during that Spring. We got our timing down.
It showed when the 2022 season came around. We have great chemistry. We’re on the same page. We always know what the other guy is doing. We’ve had so many reps with each other. It helped us enjoy the season we had last year, and that success has carried over to 2023.
JM: Why is Malachi Corley the next great player from Western Kentucky?
Malachi Corley: I’m the next great player from Western Kentucky because I have a terrific work ethic. I’ve been a humble guy throughout this process. I stayed extremely loyal to my program and teammates.
I’ve been a staple in this community. I’ve loved doing all of the outreach stuff with the kids of this community and families in need. Coming where I come from in Campbellsville, Kentucky, we have a humble mentality. I grew up closeby to the program. I’ve inspired a lot of kids from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the rest of this area, to do better things with their lives.
On top of that, I work as hard as I can. The more accolades that have come my way, the harder I’ve worked. That’s a testament to how I carry myself, and where I’m going as a football player.
My body of work on the football field also speaks for itself. It showcases how I approach the game, and what kind of impact I’m capable of making. You’ve watched the film and checked the numbers. I lead from the front, and that’s also true in the community, classroom, in the weight room, and on the practice field as well. I’ve always tried to set the standard.
JM: We love that. Which receivers do enjoy studying? Do you model your game after anybody in particular?
Malachi Corley: I love Steffon Diggs and Davante Adams. They’re not the fastest players, but they’re very deceptive and tricky with how they run their routes. Especially Diggs. He’s not a big-frame guy. He’s around my height at 5-foot-11. He creates a lot of separation by being shifty and deceptive.
Adams and Diggs are very reactionary. I consider myself to also be very reactionary. Nothing is premeditated or planned. They take what the defense gives them. They’re two very patient route runners. They get out of their breaks very well.
I also love Ja’Marr Chase and Deebo Samuel. They both create a ton of yards after the catch. They have two different styles, though. Chase is a speed guy and he can use his burst to get away from you.
Samuel can run over you, or run away from you. That’s my style of play. I call Deebo grab-and-smash (laughs). He just catches the ball and runs over people. Those are the types of plays I love to make. I identify myself with that play style.
I look up to those four receivers. I definitely model my game after them.
JM: Four excellent choices. The offense has a reputation for being friendly to play in. How do you address those concerns in relation to making a transition to the pro game?
Malachi Corley: I call a spade a spade. Our offense is friendly. I think that learning it was the hardest part when I first got here. The transition that I made to this offense, the knowledge I have now, I think I’ll make a smooth transition to the NFL.
Everything is the same, but the terminology is different. In the NFL, they’re still going to tell you what you have as a receiver. They’re going to tell you what routes you’re running, where you're blocking, and where the ball is going.
All of that stuff is the same. The terminology will change. I’m a smart guy on and off the field. I’m both book and street-smart. I think I’ll make a great adjustment to the next level.
I’m going to sit down and apply my focus when the time comes. I’m going to get in there with the quarterbacks, coaching staff, and everybody and really master the playbook. I’m always going to talk it out. I’m going to ensure I reach my goals.
