In a significant move for the New York Jets, rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley has officially signed his first professional contract with the team after being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. This signing marks a pivotal moment in Corley’s career, as he transitions from a successful collegiate athlete at Western Kentucky to the professional gridiron.
Corley, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 210 pounds, made headlines last year when he turned down lucrative offers exceeding $350,000 to remain at Western Kentucky for an additional season. Reflecting on his decision, Corley emphasized that his choice was rooted in a desire for personal growth and connection rather than financial gain. He stated, “I was never in it for the limelight or for the fame or for any of that. I love ball and I love communication; I love relationships. And the people of Campbellsville and Western Kentucky gave me that love, that support, that home, that heartwarming energy that you want.”
During his time at Western Kentucky, Corley established himself as a standout player. Over the course of 49 games, including 32 starts, he broke the school record with 259 receptions. His impressive statistics include 29 touchdown receptions and 3,033 receiving yards, ranking him second and third in those categories, respectively. Last season alone, he recorded 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions while accumulating 984 receiving yards.
Jets General Manager Joe Douglas expressed his excitement about Corley’s potential, stating, “We are juiced man. Malachi is a guy that you watch his tape and it is hard not to get excited, just an explosive dynamic player with the ball in his hands, just a guy we feel like can be a real weapon.” Corley has garnered the nickname “YAC King” due to his exceptional ability to gain yards after the catch, a skill that the Jets are eager to incorporate into their offensive strategy.
Head Coach Robert Saleh praised Corley’s unique skill set, saying, “He is elite with the ball in his hands, he is an angry runner. He calls himself the YAC king and he is deserving of it. But we will get him here, he has got some things to work on for sure. But at the same time, we love his mindset, we love his style of play. He is going to bring an added element that we don’t have to our team.”
Corley’s performance against top-tier competition also speaks volumes about his capabilities. In a notable game against Ohio State, he caught eight passes for 88 yards and scored one touchdown. His impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, where he was named the top wide receiver for the National team, and his recognition as the Offensive Breakout Player of the Week at the East-West Shrine Bowl further solidified his reputation as a rising star.
Douglas highlighted Corley’s consistent production over the past two seasons, noting, “His YAC speaks for itself, his production speaks for itself. He was highly productive the last two years and the centerpiece of our offense.” As the Jets look to bolster their receiving corps, Corley joins a talented group that includes standout Garrett Wilson and recent free-agent acquisition Mike Williams.
As the Jets prepare for the upcoming season, the addition of Malachi Corley is expected to provide a significant boost to their offensive capabilities. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this dynamic playmaker will integrate into the team’s strategy and contribute to their success on the field.
