Malik Fountain, LB, Central Michigan: 2019 NFL Draft

2018: Named to All-Mid-American Conference First Team defense as a linebacker … started all 12 games … made 51 career starts, tying for the second most in program history … led the Chippewa defense, recording 155 tackles, 88 of them solos … led the MAC in total tackles, solo tackles and tackles per game (12.9) … ranked third in the league with 67 assists … ranked second among Football Bowl Subdivision players with 7.3 solo tackles per game and second with 12.9 tackles per game … led the Chippewas in tackles in 11 of their 12 games … made eight tackles-for-loss for 30 yards … recorded 2.5 sacks for 18 yards … made two interceptions for 28 yards … recorded a career-high 18 tackles, eight of them solos with one sack, vs. Northern Illinois (9/15) … named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. NIU … recorded 16 tackles vs. Bowling Green (11/10), 11 of them solos … recorded 15 tackles vs Michigan State (9/29), vs. Western Michigan (10/20), and vs. Akron (10/27) … recorded two tackles-for-loss vs Akron.

2017: Started all 13 games … earned Second Team All-MAC … first on the team with 89 tackles … his 55 solo tackles tied for first on the team … completed 2.5 tackles-for-loss … broke up two passes and defended two passes … made 12 tackles, one shy of his career high, vs. Toledo (10/14) … eight solo tackles against the Rockets is a career best … made 10 stops vs. Rhode Island (8/31) … had nine tackles at Boston College (9/30) … recorded seven solo tackles vs. Wyoming, one off his career high.

2016: Started all 13 games … All Mid-American Conference First Team Defense … led the team and finished 18^th in the MAC in tackles with 92 … averaged seven tackles per game … finished second on the team and tied for 17^th in the MAC in tackles for loss with 10.0 … recorded six tackles at Oklahoma State (9/10) … made nine tackles (eight solo) and two for loss against UNLV (9/17) … had eight tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown at Virginia (9/24) … recorded 10 stops vs. Ball State and had a game-clinching interception in the end zone (10/8) … made nine tackles, one for loss, and forced a fumble at Northern Illinois (10/15) … had a career high 13 tackles, 1.5 for loss, at Toledo (10/22) … recorded five tackles and one sack and another for loss against Kent State (10/29) … made eight stops at Miami (11/4).

2015: Started all 13 games … ranked third on the team with 67 tackles … 32 assists ranked second on the team … recorded 4.5 tackles-for-a-loss … had 2.5 tackles-for-a-loss for a total of 4 yards vs. Toledo (Nov. 10) … made 10 tackles vs. Michigan State (9/26) … tallied eight tackles, including seven solo, and 1.0 tackles-for-a-loss vs. Minnesota (12/28) in the Quick Lane Bowl … made seven stops vs. Oklahoma State (9/3) and vs. Northern Illinois (10/3) … made five tackles vs. Monmouth (9/12), vs. Syracuse (9/19) and vs. Western Michigan (10/10) … forced a fumble vs. Western Michigan (10/10) â… credited with a quarterback hurry vs. Monmouth (9/12) … had a pass breakup vs. Akron (10/31).

2014: Redshirted.

High School: Three-year varsity starter at linebacker…led Rich Central to a 9-2 (4-1) record in 2013 … two-time all-conference selection … also received first team all-area and second team all-state honors … totaled 143 tackles, including 32 for a loss, five sacks and three interceptions for his career … also lettered in baseball for the RCHS Olympians … maintains a 3.03 grade point average.

Fountain’s knack for punishing the ball-carrier was evident when he expressed his enjoyment as a child playing ‘Kill-A-Man’ where the ball would be tossed to one guy and then it was game on to search and destroy.

Central Michigan played plenty of Cover 4 Man defense that required Fountain to cover running backs out of the backfield. He plays the run hard. Although the hallmark of Fountain’s game is making tackles. He has proven to be a durable hit-and-wrap tackler after making 53 starts for the Chippewas.

Built with a compact frame, he is a productive, instinctive tackling machine with very good lateral movement. Taking notes on him against Akron (2018) it is apparent he diagnosis plays extremely quick. He does not get lost in transition in coverage and appears agile enough to handle the task. His best attribute is the rhythm of the game being in sync with his on-field abilities. It allows him to play very quick and decisive.