It's been a journey for Malik Fisher since coming out of Villanova in 2021. The Brooklyn native could be viewed as after thought coming out of a "Basketball" school that has been known for winning more championships on the hardwood, rather than the gridiron. But after several years of preserving Fisher finally has landed his first opportunity in the NFL.
After a 7.0 sack season with the D.C. Defenders Fisher signed a contract with the Houston Texans joining Liam Fornadel and Gareon Conley as D.C. Defenders who have earned NFL deals. The Texans have signed Five spring football players since 2022 most notably Khalil Davis (Birmingham Stallions) who has become a key rotational piece on the Texans Defensive Line.
Fisher has beaten the odds even going back to the 2023 XFL season. An NFL alumni allocation, Fisher was a rotational piece for D.C. in 2023, only to "pop" for Reggie Barlow's defense in 2024. So far 13 UFL Players have signed NFL contracts this spring football cycle, with more expected to come as NFL teams return to work for the 2024 season.