Mustapha Ready to Take His Game to the Next Level
8/29/2023 8:00:00 AM | Football
“This is my passion and I don’t take it lightly. I’m planning on making this the year for me.” - Malik Mustapha
Junior safety Malik Mustapha has done a bit of everything in his first two seasons with Wake Forest. He was fifth on the team in tackles (58) last season, while also grabbing 3.5 sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles. He contributed 37 tackles and a pair of interceptions as the Demon Deacons won the ACC Atlantic Division in his freshman season in 2021.
But in many ways we haven't seen Mustapha at his full capacity yet in the Old Gold & Black. His adjustment to Wake Forest in 2021 was hurried, landing on the Deacs as a transfer portal destination just in time for the first summer session after playing an unusual spring football campaign at Richmond. Then last season, Mustapha missed the bulk of preseason preparation as he rehabbed from a knee injury.
While Mustapha has arguably been excellent in the Wake Forest secondary, he believes the best is yet to come.
"There's so much of my game I haven't displayed yet," Mustapha said. "Now that I'm in a position where I'm not rushing just to play in a season, I'm determined to just dominate. There's so much of my game I'm putting together. It's going to be shocking for people to see me on the field flying around. This is my passion and I don't take it lightly. I'm planning on making this the year for me."
The journey to this moment for Mustapha was quite the winding road that started at Weddington (Matthews, NC) High School and made a brief turn at Richmond before his final destination at Wake Forest. He camped at Wake Forest as a high school prospect, performing well in drills and run times. Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson told Mustapha he was one of the final three players they were targeting for the final defensive back spot in the 2020 class.
"Wake Forest was a school I was really banking on, but it ended up not working itself out," Mustapha recalled. "I was really hopeful to get that offer. They were mailing, calling and texting me, but started to back away toward the end of my senior year."
Enrolling at Richmond as part of the 2020 class, Mustapha grabbed 17 tackles in a six-game spring 2021 season. Two games were canceled, meaning the safety played in just four games and that season ended up counting as a redshirt year. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and suddenly had attention from scores of schools he originally coveted offers from, including Wake Forest.
"I got a call with a Wake Forest scholarship offer three hours after my name hit the portal," he said. "It was surreal how it came full circle. It was a blessing to see that I ended up where I wanted to go out of high school.
"It was so weird. I didn't play with them (Richmond) that much. It was a risky decision to hit the portal."
Mustapha suddenly was hearing from the likes of Louisville, Notre Dame, Washington, Appalachian State and Duke.
"It was weird getting recruited more out of the portal than out of high school," he said. "I had to make a decision so fast. It was probably two-or-three weeks, so I could make it for the first summer session of classes."
It didn't take long for Mustapha to realize there was a difference in preparation at Wake Forest.
"The first two weeks of workouts really kicked my butt a little bit," he said with a laugh. "I had to really adjust. It was definitely different, the level of lifting and running. It's wild how far I've come."
Once the actual games kicked off, it was like riding a proverbial bike for the talented Charlotte-area safety.
"When it came to football, however, I was back in my element," Mustapha said. "Football is football, no matter the level. It was a little faster for me, and it took me a while to pick up the plays so I could execute at a high level. I was thinking too much in the beginning and relying on my athleticism, instead of being just a ballplayer.
"It wasn't the easiest transition, but once I built relationships with my teammates and coaches, it helped me perform at a higher level and contribute to that 2021 season."
It was fellow safety Nasir Greer who helped Mustapha get acclimated and comfortable at Wake Forest, becoming a mentor who still stays in touch.
"Nas is a really good guy and helped me out," Mustapha said. "He helped me with the plays. We broke down film together. He's a genuine guy who really helped me elevate my game. He's one of the first guys who reached out to me and looked out for my best interests.
"He wasn't worried about me taking his spot, he just wanted to help me get better to give our team a better chance to win."
As the undefeated Deacs dominated Duke 45-7 to move to 8-0 on the season in late October, Mustapha was really starting to find his groove in the secondary.
"That's where everything clicked," Mustapha said. "It was the most reps I'd played all season to that point. All the safeties were rotating and were all playing at a high level. We tackled and covered well. I was more vocal, communicating and taking charge. That's where I thought things started coming together for me, and I began just playing football."
Arriving at Wake Forest at 195 pounds, Mustapha is now a chiseled 205, having added a significant amount of lean muscle while reducing his body fat.
"I'm just following the plan," Mustapha said about his physical transformation. "It's really the strength program that's helped me transform my body. I changed my diet to help me with my body.
"The summer was a grind. The strength staff put together a great plan, with the lifts and conditioning. I've also continued to work on positional work and play-calling, so all of that stays fresh. It's been fun, because I missed out on this last year. I've been able to hone in on my craft more and focus on aspects I was to improve upon as well as strengthen the areas that were already my strength."
He often lifts with the offensive and defensive linemen, putting up strength numbers comparable to some of the biggest and baddest on the Wake Forest roster.
"I want to be able to separate myself from a strength perspective from the skill guys I'll be matched up against," Mustapha said. "I want to be physical with my tackles. That will really enhance my game. Whether it's extra reps or heavier weights, I'm just working to build on my strength week-by-week.
"Those guys push me and help me get stronger, just by being a presence in the weight room and encouraging me to get better."
While rehabbing from his knee injury a year ago, it was Stephen Whitlock from the strength and conditioning staff that really spent a lot of time with Mustapha.
"He was the one who really took charge in helping me recover last year, helping me get back on the field," Mustapha said. "I usually do speed training with him on Saturdays. He's been a crucial guy who has helped me out a lot with my process and my journey, in regards to my strength and my progress.
"I want to get after it and separate myself. I already have the speed, now it's just about adding the strength to become a dual-threat."
With the likes of Chelen Garnes, Nick Andersen, AJ Williams and Brendon Harris splitting time with Mustapha at safety this season, it's a position of strength for a Wake Forest defense that believes it can make significant strides in 2023.
"Probably the strength of our defense is the safety position," Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brad Lambert said. "We have many impact guys there. At safety, it's a matter of how do we get all these guys involved? It's a good room and a good problem to have. But you want to get those guys involved as much as you can. But they will be a part of special teams as well. That's a loaded room for us."
The safety room has also been battle tested, not just on the field, but in having to deal with injuries and setbacks. Andersen missed all of the 2022 season with a foot injury and is set for a big return this year.
"Just dealing with the knee injury helped me put things in a whole new perspective," Mustapha said. "It helped me be battle tested in certain aspects. Nick Andersen is a guy who I really look up to. When he was out, he helped me on the sidelines turn into that leader. When we were down in the Liberty game in the third quarter, he helped me rally the guys and get in my element.
"We have a really cohesive unit. We've all had our share of adversity and overcome it. We all have that bond together and it helps us keep that close-knit relationship and perform at the highest level."
Another huge positive change for Mustapha came with the addition of James Adams as his new safeties coach prior to last season. Adams played at Wake Forest during the Jim Grobe era and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Deacs. He worked on Lambert's staff at both Charlotte and Purdue before coming home to Wake Forest.
"As a man, there's a lot of life lessons he's taught me," Mustapha said about Adams. "It's more than just football. He's helped me mature during my time here at Wake Forest. He's helped me when I wasn't able to get the reps last spring and summer. He's a guy who is always going to try to get the best out of you, as long as you are bought in. He's going to want to see you prevail. He's that anchor to our safety room who really helped us elevate.
"In the spring, you would see guys moving all over the field. He's created something to help us win ball games, by getting multiple playmakers on the field. He puts us in the best possible position to make plays and be productive. He's elevated me not just as a player, but as a man."
After claiming the ACC Atlantic Division Championship in 2021, the Demon Deacons entered last season with lofty expectations. Those external expectations aren't the same for 2023, but that doesn't change the mindset in the locker room.
"I didn't pay any attention to it last year and I'm not paying any attention to it this year," Mustapha said. "At the end of the day, it starts with us. We just have to make sure we don't get caught up in what other people say about us. We just have to be Wake Forest. Getting caught up in the national hype, that's something that comes with being a good team. It's up to us to take that next step.
"We've had a taste of what it's like to be at the top. Now, it's making that jump and being consistent to stay there. We're a disciplined, smart team. With that, I feel if you get caught up in the hype, you can lose track of who you are and that's where a decline could happen."
The journey he's experienced has made Mustapha that much more grateful for the experiences he's been able to enjoy at Wake Forest so far.
"I know what I'm capable of and I know what this team is capable of," he said. "We're going to shock some people, whether they believe it or not. We're going to put people on notice. I'm confident in our team and confident in myself. It's going to be special for sure.
"I'm glad I'm at a school that offers the highest level of both education and football. I'm just blessed to have these opportunities to explore so much in addition to just football. I'm so grateful for everything they've had to offer."
But in many ways we haven't seen Mustapha at his full capacity yet in the Old Gold & Black. His adjustment to Wake Forest in 2021 was hurried, landing on the Deacs as a transfer portal destination just in time for the first summer session after playing an unusual spring football campaign at Richmond. Then last season, Mustapha missed the bulk of preseason preparation as he rehabbed from a knee injury.
While Mustapha has arguably been excellent in the Wake Forest secondary, he believes the best is yet to come.
"There's so much of my game I haven't displayed yet," Mustapha said. "Now that I'm in a position where I'm not rushing just to play in a season, I'm determined to just dominate. There's so much of my game I'm putting together. It's going to be shocking for people to see me on the field flying around. This is my passion and I don't take it lightly. I'm planning on making this the year for me."
The journey to this moment for Mustapha was quite the winding road that started at Weddington (Matthews, NC) High School and made a brief turn at Richmond before his final destination at Wake Forest. He camped at Wake Forest as a high school prospect, performing well in drills and run times. Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson told Mustapha he was one of the final three players they were targeting for the final defensive back spot in the 2020 class.
"Wake Forest was a school I was really banking on, but it ended up not working itself out," Mustapha recalled. "I was really hopeful to get that offer. They were mailing, calling and texting me, but started to back away toward the end of my senior year."
Enrolling at Richmond as part of the 2020 class, Mustapha grabbed 17 tackles in a six-game spring 2021 season. Two games were canceled, meaning the safety played in just four games and that season ended up counting as a redshirt year. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and suddenly had attention from scores of schools he originally coveted offers from, including Wake Forest.
"I got a call with a Wake Forest scholarship offer three hours after my name hit the portal," he said. "It was surreal how it came full circle. It was a blessing to see that I ended up where I wanted to go out of high school.
"It was so weird. I didn't play with them (Richmond) that much. It was a risky decision to hit the portal."
Mustapha suddenly was hearing from the likes of Louisville, Notre Dame, Washington, Appalachian State and Duke.
"It was weird getting recruited more out of the portal than out of high school," he said. "I had to make a decision so fast. It was probably two-or-three weeks, so I could make it for the first summer session of classes."
It didn't take long for Mustapha to realize there was a difference in preparation at Wake Forest.
"The first two weeks of workouts really kicked my butt a little bit," he said with a laugh. "I had to really adjust. It was definitely different, the level of lifting and running. It's wild how far I've come."
Once the actual games kicked off, it was like riding a proverbial bike for the talented Charlotte-area safety.
"When it came to football, however, I was back in my element," Mustapha said. "Football is football, no matter the level. It was a little faster for me, and it took me a while to pick up the plays so I could execute at a high level. I was thinking too much in the beginning and relying on my athleticism, instead of being just a ballplayer.
"It wasn't the easiest transition, but once I built relationships with my teammates and coaches, it helped me perform at a higher level and contribute to that 2021 season."
It was fellow safety Nasir Greer who helped Mustapha get acclimated and comfortable at Wake Forest, becoming a mentor who still stays in touch.
"Nas is a really good guy and helped me out," Mustapha said. "He helped me with the plays. We broke down film together. He's a genuine guy who really helped me elevate my game. He's one of the first guys who reached out to me and looked out for my best interests.
"He wasn't worried about me taking his spot, he just wanted to help me get better to give our team a better chance to win."
As the undefeated Deacs dominated Duke 45-7 to move to 8-0 on the season in late October, Mustapha was really starting to find his groove in the secondary.
"That's where everything clicked," Mustapha said. "It was the most reps I'd played all season to that point. All the safeties were rotating and were all playing at a high level. We tackled and covered well. I was more vocal, communicating and taking charge. That's where I thought things started coming together for me, and I began just playing football."
Arriving at Wake Forest at 195 pounds, Mustapha is now a chiseled 205, having added a significant amount of lean muscle while reducing his body fat.
"I'm just following the plan," Mustapha said about his physical transformation. "It's really the strength program that's helped me transform my body. I changed my diet to help me with my body.
"The summer was a grind. The strength staff put together a great plan, with the lifts and conditioning. I've also continued to work on positional work and play-calling, so all of that stays fresh. It's been fun, because I missed out on this last year. I've been able to hone in on my craft more and focus on aspects I was to improve upon as well as strengthen the areas that were already my strength."
He often lifts with the offensive and defensive linemen, putting up strength numbers comparable to some of the biggest and baddest on the Wake Forest roster.
"I want to be able to separate myself from a strength perspective from the skill guys I'll be matched up against," Mustapha said. "I want to be physical with my tackles. That will really enhance my game. Whether it's extra reps or heavier weights, I'm just working to build on my strength week-by-week.
"Those guys push me and help me get stronger, just by being a presence in the weight room and encouraging me to get better."
While rehabbing from his knee injury a year ago, it was Stephen Whitlock from the strength and conditioning staff that really spent a lot of time with Mustapha.
"He was the one who really took charge in helping me recover last year, helping me get back on the field," Mustapha said. "I usually do speed training with him on Saturdays. He's been a crucial guy who has helped me out a lot with my process and my journey, in regards to my strength and my progress.
"I want to get after it and separate myself. I already have the speed, now it's just about adding the strength to become a dual-threat."
With the likes of Chelen Garnes, Nick Andersen, AJ Williams and Brendon Harris splitting time with Mustapha at safety this season, it's a position of strength for a Wake Forest defense that believes it can make significant strides in 2023.
"Probably the strength of our defense is the safety position," Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brad Lambert said. "We have many impact guys there. At safety, it's a matter of how do we get all these guys involved? It's a good room and a good problem to have. But you want to get those guys involved as much as you can. But they will be a part of special teams as well. That's a loaded room for us."
The safety room has also been battle tested, not just on the field, but in having to deal with injuries and setbacks. Andersen missed all of the 2022 season with a foot injury and is set for a big return this year.
"Just dealing with the knee injury helped me put things in a whole new perspective," Mustapha said. "It helped me be battle tested in certain aspects. Nick Andersen is a guy who I really look up to. When he was out, he helped me on the sidelines turn into that leader. When we were down in the Liberty game in the third quarter, he helped me rally the guys and get in my element.
"We have a really cohesive unit. We've all had our share of adversity and overcome it. We all have that bond together and it helps us keep that close-knit relationship and perform at the highest level."
Another huge positive change for Mustapha came with the addition of James Adams as his new safeties coach prior to last season. Adams played at Wake Forest during the Jim Grobe era and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Deacs. He worked on Lambert's staff at both Charlotte and Purdue before coming home to Wake Forest.
"As a man, there's a lot of life lessons he's taught me," Mustapha said about Adams. "It's more than just football. He's helped me mature during my time here at Wake Forest. He's helped me when I wasn't able to get the reps last spring and summer. He's a guy who is always going to try to get the best out of you, as long as you are bought in. He's going to want to see you prevail. He's that anchor to our safety room who really helped us elevate.
"In the spring, you would see guys moving all over the field. He's created something to help us win ball games, by getting multiple playmakers on the field. He puts us in the best possible position to make plays and be productive. He's elevated me not just as a player, but as a man."
After claiming the ACC Atlantic Division Championship in 2021, the Demon Deacons entered last season with lofty expectations. Those external expectations aren't the same for 2023, but that doesn't change the mindset in the locker room.
"I didn't pay any attention to it last year and I'm not paying any attention to it this year," Mustapha said. "At the end of the day, it starts with us. We just have to make sure we don't get caught up in what other people say about us. We just have to be Wake Forest. Getting caught up in the national hype, that's something that comes with being a good team. It's up to us to take that next step.
"We've had a taste of what it's like to be at the top. Now, it's making that jump and being consistent to stay there. We're a disciplined, smart team. With that, I feel if you get caught up in the hype, you can lose track of who you are and that's where a decline could happen."
The journey he's experienced has made Mustapha that much more grateful for the experiences he's been able to enjoy at Wake Forest so far.
"I know what I'm capable of and I know what this team is capable of," he said. "We're going to shock some people, whether they believe it or not. We're going to put people on notice. I'm confident in our team and confident in myself. It's going to be special for sure.
"I'm glad I'm at a school that offers the highest level of both education and football. I'm just blessed to have these opportunities to explore so much in addition to just football. I'm so grateful for everything they've had to offer."
Players Mentioned
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