Indianapolis Colts draft Miami Hurricanes tight end Will Mallory in fifth round
University of Miami tight end Will Mallory was in fourth grade in 2010 when he got to know former Hurricane Jeremy Shockey and watched him catch the go-ahead touchdown at Hard Rock Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl. He met Shockey again seven years later when he attended former coach Mark Richt’s 2017 Paradise Camp.
“I was walking and he said, ‘Hey, Will,’ Mallory told the Miami Herald as he was beginning his UM career in 2018. “I turned around and said, ‘What’s up?’ He said, ‘You were a lot smaller the last time I saw you.’’’
He’s even bigger now.
On Saturday, the 6-4 1/2, 245-pound Mallory reached the pinnacle of his football career when none other than the Colts chose him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft — the 27th player in that round and 162nd player overall.
Mallory became the second Hurricane selected in the 2023 draft, after cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was drafted 56th overall in the second round.
“Welcome to the family, @WillMallory_25,’’ the Colts posted on Twitter after they drafted him. “Welcome to THE SHOE.’’
Miami Hurricanes cornerback Tyrique Stevenson drafted by Chicago Bears in second round
The son of career football coach Mike Mallory (now a special teams analyst at Michigan, where he was a star linebacker in the 1980s) Will Mallory is the grandson of the late former head coach Bill Mallory (Miami of Ohio, Colorado, Northern Illinois and Indiana) and nephew of Michigan secondary assistant Doug Mallory.
Mallory played five seasons with the Hurricanes, starting 39 of his 58 games. The first three seasons he mostly played behind current Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan. He had his best season in 2022, leading all pass-catchers with 42 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns. His UM career numbers: 115 catches for 1,544 yards and 14 touchdowns. Mallory turned heads at the recent NFL Combine when he had the fastest 40-yard dash time among tight ends (4.54 seconds), and leaped 36.5 inches high in the vertical. He also excelled at the Senior Bowl.
Mallory told the Herald he’d be at home with friends and family for the draft.
Mallory’s dad Mike coached as an assistant for several FBS schools and multiple NFL teams, including as assistant special teams coordinator/coach from 2013 through 2020 in Mallory’s hometown of Jacksonville, where his family lives in Atlantic Beach. Mike also was the assistant special teams coach for the Saints (2008-’12), thus Will’s introduction to Shockey.
Mallory expected to be nervous — who isn’t during draft weekend? — and, naturally, sought advice from his father.
“I was talking to my dad recently about it and we both agreed that it’s gonna be stressful and whatnot. But just don’t get caught up in the round. Wherever it happens, it’s meant to be.’’
What will the Colts get with Mallory?
“A guy who’s willing to do whatever they ask, a guy who is on offense and all phases of special teams. ...I’ve been through a lot of changes, a lot of different offenses, a lot of adversity, and I feel it has helped me as a person and player,’’ he said on UM Pro Day. “I’ve matured, I’ve learned a lot. I can adapt well.”
Mallory mentioned the tight end tradition at UM being one of the reasons he played there.
“Just to have the opportunity to continue playing is a dream come true for me and I want to keep trying to make that tradition proud.’’
