2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Malachi Jean, DL, University of South Florida

• Name: Malachi Jean
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 350
• Position: DT/NT
• College: South Florida/Prairie View A&M
• Twitter: @mj53tigers

Tell us about your university/college. What was your major/minor? How is campus life? 

I was blessed with the opportunity to play at two different universities. The first school I attended was PVAMU. PVAMU is a beautiful campus. The women are beautiful. The facility at PVAMU makes you want to be very successful. I majored in criminal justice when I was there and graduated with my bachelors in 3 years. Campus life at PVAMU is what you make it. As long as you don’t get caught up in all the partying, you should be okay.

The next university I was able to attend was the University of South Florida. I started my Masters in Teaching during my short time there. I plan to come back to school once football is all said and done. Campus life at USF is beautiful as well, campus is big. The student body is great and has some of the best professors in the business. USF as a whole was just an all-around great experience for me. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

My teammates say I have an unstoppable bull rush combined with a quick first step. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

My role would be the big man in the middle / the anchor / big general. I can play in a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. The best scheme for me would be the 4-3 defensive. I have the mindset that everything has to go through me, but it typically doesn’t get past me.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

The best player I have ever played against in college would have to be Chad Williams of the Grambling State Tigers. Dude was a monster a WR

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

A lot of teammates impressed me while I was at at PVAMU: RB D. Tucker, DT S. Scoot, DT R. Collins. A teammate that impressed me the most at USF would have to be senior tight end Mitch Wilcox. All are great players in my eyes 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

One of the biggest struggles I had was when I was coming out of high school. I wasn’t eligible to play college football because of my grades. I had to take two years’ worth of classes in one year just to quality. After taking 5 classes on Florida virtual school and Spanish 1 & 2 online on the weekends, I qualified a month before signing day. Just when I thought my dreams would be over, I found a way to get it done.  

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

If I could play any other sport, I think it would have to be soccer. Just because when I was younger I played and absolutely loved it. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

Something that I am most proud of would be my little girl that is soon to be here. My biggest achievement would be me graduating with my bachelor’s degree in three years. Another one of my accomplishments would be when I went to state in weightlifting as a junior and a senior in high school. My junior year I placed 7th in the state of Florida. My senior year, I broke Timmy Jernigan’s bench press record. He and Samson Genus both held the heavyweight records at 425 lbs. I broke it with a 435 lb bench press at state. I could have easily gone 445 lbs at state. We ended up placing 3rd as a team. Now that I’ve been college, I can bench about 485-490 and squat close to 700. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

My favorite athlete would be Jalen Ramsey. My favorite team would be the Denver Broncos. My best friend plays safety for the Broncos. I model my game after Timmy Jernigan from the Philadelphia Eagles. His dad was my position coach in high school so he taught us both the same game and it’s been stuck with me ever since.

Who is your favorite music artist? 

I enjoy a variety of music. I like country music, rap, r&b, old school music. But for my favorite artist I would say Kodak black is my favorite artist. 

What is your favorite comfort food?

My favorite comfort food would be deer meat 

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

My favorite actor would be Eddie Murphy.

My favorite movie would be Life. I’ve probably seen Life more than a hundred times. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

In my spare time, I like to play video games. I also like to go hunting and fishing. There’s something about being in nature that relaxes my mind and takes my mind off of anything that is negative.

Who or what motivates you the most? 

My little girl motivates me the most. I wanna be the best dad I can be! That’s why I work as hard as I do! Failure is not an option.