Malachi Corley of Western Kentucky in a game versus Old Dominion ? Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Hilltopper Malachi Corley Selected 65th By The Jets

Originally posted on College Football Dawgs
By Karter Longie | Last updated 4/27/24

The New York Jets have secured themselves a new weapon for Aaron Rodgers in Western Kentucky wide receiver, Malachi Corley.

Corley Makes WKU History

Corley was selected by the Jets with the 1st pick of the 3rd round (65th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, following a trade-up with the Carolina Panthers. He now becomes the 39th Hilltopper ever to be drafted into the NFL. Corley also earns the title of second-highest drafted Hilltopper ever, behind Forrest Lamp (38th overall in 2017). Corley will bring a level of post-catch explosiveness that will have an immediate impact on next year’s offense for New York, as told best by Jets Head Coach, Robert Saleh.

"He's elite with the ball in his hands. He's an angry runner."

Robert Saleh on what Malachi Corley will bring to the Jets: pic.twitter.com/l4ibGLjY1N
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 27, 2024

Malachi Corley as a Prospect

The “YAC King” will go down as one of the best players in WKU history, finishing as the program’s career leader in receptions, 2nd in TD receptions, and 3rd in receiving yards. Not only did he impress in his college career, but Corley also showed out in the draft process picking up both a Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week nod, along with the East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive Breakout Player of the Week.

Malachi Corley Alberto Silva Fernandez/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Impact on the Jets

The Jets clearly saw their issues last season, and they addressed them. Aaron Rodgers went down on his 1st drive of the season, causing poor quarterback play all season. They took a step in fixing this problem by drafting Olu Fashanu, the offensive tackle from Penn State at 11th overall. The Jets also had an issue finding reliable production from pass-catchers outside of Garrett Wilson, which they have now addressed with the free agency addition of Mike Williams, and now the drafting of Malachi Corley.

This article first appeared on College Football Dawgs and was syndicated with permission.

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