MALIK WILLIS

(AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — The Latest on the NFL draft. ___The second day of the NFL draft ended appropriately with another wide receiver being selected. ___Breece Hall got his moment — and hug from Roger Goodell — on stage at the NFL draft. ___Houston defensive tackle Logan Hall is the first selection of the second round of the NFL draft, by the Buccaneers. Former Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker was the first overall pick by Jacksonville and ex-Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis was the 13th overall pick.

NFL Draft Football Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon points after being selected by the Chicago Bears during the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Jae C. Hong)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken in the NFL draft. This is the first draft since 2000 that only one quarterback went in the first two rounds: Pickett this year, Chad Pennington to the Jets back then. But they used the second slot in the second round to grab North Dakota State's Christian Watson, who averaged 20.4 yards per reception in his career. Through three rounds, nine players from the national champion Bulldogs were taken, with six from runner-up Alabama.

It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken in the NFL draft.

Malik Willis of Liberty became the third quarterback taken in the NFL draft when the Tennessee Titans took him in the third round with the 86th overall pick.

Very little is certain heading into an NFL draft.

A dearth of premier passers in the upcoming NFL draft meant the quarterback carousel spun faster than ever this spring. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah noted he was 32 minutes into a media conference call before he was even asked about this QB class. “We're all overachievers and we all feel like there's a chip on our shoulders just because they're saying this draft class isn't as good as others,” Ridder said. So, why is this quarterback class so wobbly? “It's not easy to evaluate these guys, and the majority of us feel like this isn't the best year for quarterbacks," Jeremiah said.

This year's quarterback class isn't as heralded as last year's or even next year's.

Liberty Pro Day Football Liberty quarterback Malik Willis prepares the school's pro football day for NFL scouts and coaches, Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Kendall Warner) (Kendall Warner)NEW YORK — (AP) — Quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral are among 21 prospects who will attend the NFL draft in Las Vegas this month. Ohio State wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will be there along with two more wideouts. Alabama is also sending two players: wide receiver Jameson Williams and offensive lineman Evan Neal. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who is projected as the potential No. Willis had a dazzling NFL combine after starring at Liberty.

Quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral are among 21 prospects who will attend the NFL Draft in Las Vegas later this month.

Senior Bowl Football American Team quarterback Malik Willis, of Liberty, throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)MOBILE, Ala. — (AP) — The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. Winfrey wore a jersey signed by teammates and got to follow in the Senior Bowl footsteps of Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a 2014 alum of the game. “I've been dreaming about being in the Senior Bowl since I was a little kid,” Winfrey said. “I saw Aaron Donald dominate the Senior Bowl and I wanted to be the next to do that.”Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked.

Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked. He led Cincinatti to 44 wins in his career and to the College Football Playoffs this season, ending with a semifinal loss to Alabama. He collected a wide snap and ran left for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Then Ridder rolled right and hit Colorado State tight end Trey McBride for a 6-yard touchdown late in the second. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team’ had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. “We didn't come out here to lollygag through it," Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe said.

MOBILE, Ala. — (AP) — Malik Willis passed for 231 yards and accounted for five touchdowns and Liberty rolled over Eastern Michigan 56-20 on Saturday night in the LendingTree Bowl. Liberty also got a defensive touchdown in the first quarter on Skyler Thomas' 27-yard interception return. T.J. Green also ran for a 34-yard score in the second quarter, in addition to those touchdowns in Willis had a hand. THE TAKEAWAY:Eastern Michigan simply had no answer for Willis and the Liberty offense, which clearly possessed more speed on the perimeter. Willis will return to Mobile in February for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the annual NFL draft showcase, which also takes place at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

15 Mississippi past Liberty and the former Rebels coach 27-14 on Saturday. Ole Miss was also hit with NCAA sanctions for recruiting and academic violations that happened under Freeze. Dannis Jackson had six receptions for a game-high 126 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown catch. John Rhys Plumlee added seven receptions for 110 yards for an Ole Miss receiver corp that has been banged up. The Flames played better in the second half, but it was too late to really challenge their SEC opponent.

Matt Corral threw for 324 yards and a touchdown to lead No. 15 Mississippi past Liberty and former Rebels coach Hugh Freeze 27-14.

UMass Liberty Football Liberty quarterback Malik Willis throws a pass against Massachusetts during an NCAA college football game in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. All four schools have accepted invitations to C-USA, according to a person familiar with the conference and the schools' decisions. Including MTSU and WKU, Conference USA has only five members that have not announced plans to leave in the next few years. New Mexico State is also an FBS independent and member of Western Athletic Conference for basketball and other sports. Sam Houston State, which is coming off an FCS national championship, is part of the newly restarted WAC football league, which is competing in FCS this year.

Liberty players celebrate after defeating Coastal Carolina in overtime with a blocked field goal in the Cure Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)ORLANDO, Fla. – Elijah James blocked Massimo Biscardi's 42-yard field goal attempt in overtime to give No. 9 Coastal Carolina on Saturday night in a wild finish in the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl. Liberty (10-1) took the lead on Alex Barbir’s 44-yard field goal on the first extra possession. Coastal Carolina (11-1) got a huge break in regulation when Liberty's Joshua Mack fumbled inside the 1 with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Biscardi added a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the half after Barbir kicked a 37-yarder for Liberty.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn listens to an official's call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)Auburn fired football coach Gus Malzahn, ending an eight-year run that began with a trip to the national championship game. The Tigers also were upset by a struggling South Carolina, which wound up firing coach Will Muschamp during the season. “After evaluating the state of the Auburn football program, we’ve decided that it was time to make a change in leadership," Greene said in a statement. Auburn will owe Malzahn a $21.45 million buyout for the remaining four years of a seven-year, $49 million deal.

25 Liberty to a 38-35 victory over Virginia Tech. But officials ruled that Virginia Tech had called a timeout before the kick. “I’ve always done this,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. Hendon Hooker paced Virginia Tech, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown. Virginia Tech: The Hokies play Miami at home on Saturday.