Don't even think about calling Malachi Corley little. The Jets' wide receiver met the media after Thursday's joint practice with the Panthers ahead of Saturday's preseason game in Charlotte.
The fast-talking, fast-running, fast-learning rookie known for his after-the-catch ability to pick up yards showed off some keen insight as he's preparing to embark on his professional career. At 5-11, 209 it's easy to talk up the guy who's been called the "YAC King."
The word "physicality" is a key part of his makeup. It's a term he used several times during his time at the lectern. And that's what the Jets absolutely love about him. And in addition to his promise as a receiver, the coaching staff deployed Corley in a new role -- for him -- as a kickoff and punt returner in last week's preseason opener.
"The punt return part, the kickoff return part we're trying to figure out," HC Robert Saleh said on Thursday. "I think he can do that pretty easily. He's strong, physical. Especially with this new kickoff rule, we're trying to find just different ways to get him the ball."
Against Washington, Corley returned a kickoff 33 yards under the new experimental format -- "I'm extremely excited about the new rule," he said. He took a fair catch on the one punt he handled.
Addressing questions about his potential on special teams, Corley said: "Very comfortable for me, even though I didn't get the opportunity to put it on film in college a lot. But they gave me reps, after reps, after reps and kind of just built my confidence through reps and that's what I need. Being on kick returns, punt returns is something I'm looking forward to and I'm excited to do all season."
He added: "So just having the ball in my hands is something I've always done. As far as returns and special teams it's something new for me."
During Tuesday's practice back at One Jets Drive, QB Aaron Rodgers and Corley connected on a 2-point conversion. In college at Western Kentucky, Corley played in 49 games (32 starts) and set a school record with 259 receptions while his 29 TD receptions and 3,033 receiving yards. Last season, Corley registered 11 TDs on his 79 receptions while amassing 984 receiving yards.
Soon after being drafted last April, he initiated a FaceTime chat with Rodgers and scored an invitation to crash at the quarterback's house (he said he's now living in a townhouse with his brother near the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center). Now Corley's goal is to hone his route-running and be in the spot Rodgers expects -- and demands -- him to be in.
"I'm really focused on running the route and being in the right spot because when you have a Hall of Fame quarterback out there, as long as you're on the spot on the field that ball's going to find you every single time," Corley said. "So understand the playbook and how the plays are designed to go. Just being in the right spot for myself and working releases and things I didn't get to do at Western Kentucky. It's been really fun and perfecting my craft in that way."
For his part, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett know they have a potential gamebreaker on their hands whose baby steps in training camp could very well turn into giant steps once the regular season begins at San Francisco on Monday night, Sept. 9.
"He's been growing, still long way to go with his route running and understanding the same thing that Garrett [Wilson] went through," Saleh said. "Just being where he needs to be as fast as he can get there And just fine-tuning his routes, his stems, his leverage, understanding leverage and how to create separation.
" But love his mindset. I love the way he works. And he's going to be a really good player."
As mature as Corley is physically, he's still a rookie who has yet to play in an NFL game that counts.
"Part of it is being mindful and aware," he said. "Knowing every single day, holy crap, I'm in the NFL for the New York Jets and I'm going out on this field with Aaron Rodgers and Tyron Smith and Hall of Fame guys. I've been following Garrett on Instagram since I'm 16 years old. So I'm playing with guys I've idolized since high school so it's something to take in and be special and appreciate every single day. Not one time, but all the time."
