DETROIT – On Friday, WKU’s Malachi Corley became the Hilltopper’s fourth wide receiver drafted to the NFL when the New York Jets selected the 22-year-old with the first pick in the 3rd round of the 2024 Draft.
Corley was the 65th overall pick in the Draft, marking him as the 39th Hilltopper to secure a spot in the NFL via the draft. WKU’s breakout receiver is the second-highest drafted player from the Hill, only behind Forrest Lamp who was selected 38th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. Notably, Corley’s selection makes him the fourth Hilltopper to be drafted by the Jets.
The Hilltoppers have made noise in the NFL recently as they’ve now had a player selected in the first three rounds of the previous three drafts. Defensive End DeAngelo Malone was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 82nd pick in the 2022 Draft and DT Broderick Martin was picked up by the Detroit Lions with the 96th overall pick in the 2023 Draft. Quarterback Bailey Zappe, who broke the FBS record for passing touchdowns in a single-season with 62, was also selected in the fourth round of the 2022 Draft by the New England Patriots.
Corley started in 32 games for Western Kentucky over his four seasons at the Hill. He totaled 3,033 yards and 29 touchdowns on 259 receptions during that period, averaging 61.9 yards/game over 49 games. Corley broke the program’s career receptions record in 2023, and finished second in program history in touchdown receptions, and third in receiving yards.
Malachi was apart of the Hilltopper’s 59-38 Boca Raton Bowl win over Appalachian St in 2021, the 44-23 win over South Alabama in the 2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, and the historical 38-35 overtime victory over Old Dominion in the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl.
Corley had an impressive array of achievements during his time as a Hilltopper. These include being named Top WR for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl National Team, earning a spot on the 2023 All-Conference USA First Team, and being recognized as the Offensive Breakout Player of the Week at the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl. He also received accolades such as the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week in November 2023, and co-Offensive Player of the Week at the 2023 Senior Bowl. Additionally, Corley was listed on prestigious watch lists including the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the Biletnikoff Award, the Wuerffel Trophy, and the Maxwell Award in 2023. He was also featured on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List and the Phil Steele Preseason All-American list in the same year. Earlier in his career, Corley earned spots on the 2022 All-Conference USA First Team and the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
