Malik Heath Bio
Malik Shabazz Heath is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He played college football for the Copiah-Lincoln Wolves, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Ole Miss Rebels before signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Malik Heath was born on March 31, 2000, in Canton, Mississippi, and grew up in the nearby city of Jackson, Mississippi. At Callaway High School, he demonstrated his exceptional talent by recording 78 receptions for 1,837 yards and 13 touchdowns across his high school career.
His father, Harold Heath, was a former tight end at Jackson State University, which provided him with a football background from an early age. This early exposure helped shape his path toward playing at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Heath began his college career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Over two seasons with the Wolves, he caught 61 passes for 835 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games. His impressive performance at the junior college level earned him a transfer to Mississippi State University.
Heath played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2020 to 2021. In his first season with the Bulldogs, he recorded 37 receptions for 307 yards and three touchdowns. During his sophomore year, he had 34 receptions for 442 yards and five touchdowns before the season ended prematurely due to a serious car crash in December 2021, which left him with a double lung collapse, ruptured liver, broken ribs, and required emergency surgery to save his life.
He transferred to Ole Miss for his final collegiate season in 2022, where he led the team with 60 receptions, 971 receiving yards, and five touchdown receptions. His standout season at Ole Miss positioned him for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Malik Heath Career
Green Bay Packers (2023–2025)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Heath signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2023. The Packers announced on August 29 that Heath had made their initial 53-man roster. He joined Green Bay alongside fellow rookie wide receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
Heath made his NFL debut on September 10, 2023, during a 38-20 victory against the Chicago Bears, though he did not record any statistics that day. He recorded his first NFL reception on November 19, a 7-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Love, during a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Love during a 22-24 loss to the New York Giants on December 11.
In 2024, Heath appeared in 13 games with one start, finishing with 10 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He played in 11 games with six receptions for 86 yards in 2025 before being waived on December 6, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons (2025–Present)
The Atlanta Falcons claimed Heath off waivers on December 8, 2025. Heath joins the Falcons as he looks to revitalize his career in the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 2 inches and 213 pounds, Heath uses his size and frame to win contested catches and create mismatches in the red zone. He demonstrates reliable hands and strong body control when adjusting to the ball. Throughout his career, he has shown the ability to make clutch receptions in critical moments, including his first NFL touchdown against the New York Giants and his first career reception against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Notable Events and Milestones
His recovery from a near-fatal car accident in 2021 and his subsequent rise to the NFL serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. His first NFL touchdown on December 11, 2023, marked a significant milestone in his professional career.
Malik Heath Career Statistics
Across his NFL career, Heath has recorded 31 receptions for 308 receiving yards and three touchdowns in regular season play. His most productive season came in 2024, when he posted 10 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Green Bay Packers | 15 | 125 | 1 |
| 2024 | Green Bay Packers | 10 | 97 | 2 |
| 2025 | Green Bay Packers | 6 | 86 | 0 |
Malik Heath Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Heath comes from a football family; his father, Harold Heath, was a former tight end at Jackson State University. This family background provided him with early exposure to the sport and shaped his development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Heath on the Green Bay Packers roster, where he appeared in 11 games and recorded six receptions for 86 yards without a touchdown. On December 6, 2025, the Packers waived Heath, but the Atlanta Falcons claimed him off waivers two days later.
Heath joins the Falcons looking to establish himself in their receiving corps. With his size and red-zone ability, he provides depth at the wide receiver position. The 2025 season marks a transitional point in his career as he adapts to his new team heading into the final games of the season.