Jersey #: 9 (2024), 25 (2023)
Weight: 194 (2023-24)

2024 Media Guide: Malik is a true sophomore who lettered last season as a freshman after playing in 12 of 13 games … he played in a total of 217 snaps in 2023 with 157 on defensive at safety and an additional 60 snaps on special teams … recorded 10 tackles -five solo; five assists – and had two pass break-ups … he started in his second collegiate game – vs. Youngstown State – and made his second start later in the season vs. Michigan State … had four solo tackles against the Spartans for his career high total.

2023 Media Guide: Malik is in his first season with the program and was a member of the 2023 class of recruits … he enrolled in classes in January 2023 and took part in spring drills … Malik was a four-star recruit and the No. 4-ranked player in the state of Ohio according to the 247Sports composite.

High School: Named the Greater Miami Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 … selected by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association as the Division I Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year and co-Division I Defensive Player of the Year … the leader of a Lakota West defense that gave up just 10.0 points per game during a 13-1 season this fall … his stat line in 2022 included 43 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles-for-loss, five pass breakups … finished his junior season with 58 tackles, two INTs, a sack and six blocked kicks/punts … played in the 2023 All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 7.

Personal: Parents are Zainab and Jim Hartford.