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5 Shocking Reasons Maliq Carr’s NFL Draft Journey Ended In UDFA Status

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As of today, December 23, 2025, the journey of former Houston Cougars tight end Maliq Carr represents one of the most intriguing and frustrating prospect evaluations from the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. Despite possessing an elite physical profile, a two-sport pedigree, and productive stints at two Power Five programs, Carr ultimately went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, signing with a team as an Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA). This deep dive explores the five critical factors that prevented the massive, athletic tight end from hearing his name called on draft weekend, a development that shocked many analysts who saw his ceiling as an early-round pick. The road to the NFL for a player like Carr is never straightforward, marked by high-profile transfers and a complex transition from basketball to football. His unique blend of size and speed made him a tantalizing prospect, yet the scouting community ultimately prioritized polish and consistent production, leaving him to begin his professional career via the challenging rookie minicamp route, most notably receiving an invite from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Maliq Carr: Full Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Maliq Carr's path to the NFL was defined by his versatility and a college career that saw him play for three different universities. Originally a highly-rated two-sport athlete, his size and athleticism made him a fascinating evaluation for NFL scouts.

  • Full Name: Maliq Carr
  • Position: Tight End (TE)
  • Height: 6’5” – 6’6”
  • Weight: 245 lbs – 265 lbs
  • Hometown: Inkster, Michigan (also listed as Southfield, MI)
  • High School: Oak Park High School (Oak Park, MI)
  • College Career:
    • Purdue Boilermakers (2020): Played his freshman season as a wide receiver.
    • Michigan State Spartans (2021–2023): Spent three years as a tight end, earning three letters. Recorded 54 catches for 696 yards in 34 games, including seven starts.
    • Houston Cougars (2024): Transferred for his senior season, playing a key role in the team's offense. Recorded 19 receptions for 186 yards.
  • Academic Achievement: Earned a Master of Science in Management & Leadership in December 2024 from the University of Houston.
  • 2025 NFL Draft Status: Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA)

1. The Lingering Two-Sport Transition and Lack of Positional Polish

Carr was a genuine two-sport star, playing both football and basketball at the collegiate level, starting at Purdue and then continuing at Michigan State. While the basketball background is often lauded for developing footwork, body control, and exceptional athleticism, it also meant his focus on football was split, leading to a noticeable lack of polish at the tight end position.

Scouts noted that despite his impressive, sturdy frame, his technique as an in-line tight end was inconsistent. He excelled as a reliable run blocker, playing with toughness and strength, but his route running was often described as segmented, limiting his ability to create separation against man coverage. In a 2025 tight end class that featured polished receiving threats like Colston Loveland (Michigan) and Tyler Warren (Penn State), Carr's rawness pushed him down the board.

2. Inconsistent Production Across Multiple College Systems

Consistency is paramount for NFL evaluators, and Carr’s career was marked by a constant search for the right fit. His college career involved three different programs: Purdue, Michigan State, and finally the Houston Cougars. While his time at Michigan State was his most productive (54 catches, 696 yards), his senior season at Houston in the *Air Raid offense* was less statistically impressive (19 receptions, 186 yards).

The constant change in offensive schemes and quarterback play made it difficult for scouts to project a consistent baseline of receiving performance. While he was praised for his physicality after the catch and his ability to be a collision player, his limited targets and yardage in the high-volume Houston offense—which was supposed to be "tight end-friendly"—raised questions about his ceiling as a primary receiving threat at the next level.

3. Athletic Measurables that Didn't Translate to Elite Separation

Carr’s scouting profile promised elite athleticism, and his *Big 12 Pro Day* numbers were strong, but not always elite for the position. His 40-yard dash time of 4.63 seconds was excellent, tying him for the fastest among tight ends at the 2025 NFL Combine, had he been invited. However, other agility metrics suggested a player who, while fast in a straight line, lacked the quick-twitch change of direction necessary to consistently beat NFL defensive backs.

  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.63 - 4.67 seconds
  • Vertical Jump: 31 1/2 inches
  • Broad Jump: 09’05”
  • 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.68 seconds
  • 3-Cone Drill: 7.62 seconds

The *3-Cone Drill* and *20-Yard Shuttle* times, which measure lateral quickness and burst, were not exceptional for a receiving tight end. This confirmed the scouting concerns that his big frame, while an advantage for contact balance and as a large target, contributed to segmented movements and limited separation ability downfield, forcing him into a more specialized role as a blocking tight end or a red-zone threat.

4. The Overwhelming Depth of the 2025 Tight End Class

The 2025 NFL Draft was notable for its depth at several positions, including tight end. While Maliq Carr was a solid prospect, he was competing against a deep pool of talent. Players like *Mason Taylor* (LSU), *Elijah Arroyo* (Miami), and the aforementioned *Tyler Warren* (Penn State) and *Colston Loveland* (Michigan) were consistently ranked higher on draft boards.

In a scenario where teams have limited draft capital, they often prioritize the tight ends with the cleanest, most projectable skill sets. Carr’s profile, which required a team to invest time in developing his receiving technique while leveraging his blocking prowess, was viewed as a high-upside developmental project rather than an immediate contributor. This perception often relegates a player to the later rounds or, ultimately, to the *Undrafted Free Agent* pool.

5. Scouting Preference for Elite Athleticism or Elite Blocking

NFL teams generally look for one of two things in a tight end: an elite, game-breaking receiving athlete (like a hybrid wide receiver) or an elite, powerful run-blocking specialist. Carr fell into the middle: a very good run blocker with above-average, but not elite, receiving athleticism.

His impressive wingspan (83 inches) and arm length (34 1/2 inches) are ideal for blocking and catching in traffic, making him a reliable, high-floor player. However, the lack of a true "wow" factor in his receiving highlights, combined with his segmented route-running, made it difficult for him to stand out among the top prospects. Ultimately, his perceived ceiling was not high enough to justify a mid-round pick, leading to his status as a highly sought-after *UDFA* where he can still prove his worth in the *Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp* and potentially earn a roster spot.

maliq carr nfl draft
maliq carr nfl draft

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