Austin Maloney
Wide Receiver / FIU
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Austin Maloney: I am 5’11 ½ and 190 right now. My last forty time was a 4.63 during last summer. I am working every week to get that time down.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Austin Maloney: I am training at FIU with my strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey. I am getting ready for the pro day on April 1st.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the CGS all-star game.
Austin Maloney: It was a great experience. My teammate Napoleon Maxwell went there. We shared the same experience. We got our introduction of the showcase. Then we were waiting a couple of hours to get our names called by scouts. We had practice on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday was the scrimmage. There were a few guys from Western Kentucky, FAU and Marshall. We played in the same conference. I was taking it all in. We had the same goal. We want to play in the NFL.
Alex Khvatov: What did you want to show scouts at that all-star event?
Austin Maloney: I wanted to show scouts that I can keep up, no matter what school is in front of me. I wanted to show that I could play at a high level.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Austin Maloney: I was offered by FIU from my junior to senior year of high school. I committed to them. I had some interest from FCS schools. UCF and Louisville were talking to me
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose FIU?
Austin Maloney: They showed the most interest, and it was my biggest offer.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Austin Maloney: I definitely have a high motor. I go 100% all the time. I come down with a lot of the deep balls. I get separation out of my routes.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Austin Maloney: Speed. I am working on the 40 and running better routes.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Austin Maloney: In college, I dealt with coaching changes. Ron Turner was the head coach for the first two years of my career. The next three, I had Butch Davis. College football is a roller coaster. Every season is different. Every team has its own identity. Each season, you are growing as a player and as a man. We got our first bowl win against Tulane in the Bahamas bowl. Individually, my junior season was an amazing year. This year was great too.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Austin Maloney: One of the craziest games was against Middle Tennessee in 2018. It was a shootout from the start. At the end of the game, they were in the red zone. They were about to score. Our safety picked it off to end the game with seconds left on the clock.
Alex Khvatov: What was it like to be coached by Butch Davis?
Austin Maloney: The first time I was in the meeting room, I felt the aura he brings to the room. He is a players’ coach. He cares about us. He has so much experience. He shares his history and what he has been through. He is an amazing coach. I left everything I had on the field for him. He impacted everyone on the team.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Austin Maloney: Definitely creating separation. You have to be on point with it. A couple of inches makes a big difference. Also learning coverages and trying to set things up.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Austin Maloney: I have been a Saints fan since third grade.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Austin Maloney: Amari Cooper. He is from Miami. He played against my high school. I have followed him at Alabama, with the Raiders and with the Cowboys now.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your teammate QB James Morgan?
Austin Maloney: I have never seen anybody work as hard as him. He was always spending nights in the film room. He is a leader in anything he does. He was my roommate. His work ethic is great. I played two years with him.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Austin Maloney: WR Bryce Singleton is coming back. He didn’t play last year, but his hands are amazing. WR’s Shemar Thornton and JJ Holloman from Georgia. RB D’Vonte Price and QB Kaylan Wiggins. Rishard Dames and Richard Dames on defense. #26 CB Jamal Anderson.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Austin Maloney: The best player was #4 from Maryland (William Likely) when I was a redshirt freshman. He was a senior. He played the nickel.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Austin Maloney: The adrenaline you get when you step on the field. The work you put in. Just going through the hard days in the offseason.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Austin Maloney: I am laid back. I watch movies and go to the beach. I like outdoors.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Austin Maloney: I really don’t know. I was a liberal studies major. I graduated on December 15th.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Austin Maloney: Caring, funny, loyal, supportive and outgoing.
