#88 Malik Elzy Season 2026
2024 Academic All-Big Ten
Transfer wide receiver from Illinois … Spent 3 seasons with the Illini, appearing in 23 games with 1 start … Caught 16 passes for 213 yards and a pair of TDs … Start came against Western Illinois in the 2025 season-opener … Caught TD passes against Penn State in 2023 and Eastern Illinois in 2024 … Named Academic All-Big Ten in 2024 … One of the top prep receivers for the Class of 2023 … Brother Devonta played Division II football at Northwood (Mich.) University.
JUNIOR SEASON (2025 at Illinois)
Played in first 4 games of the season … First career start came in season-opener against Western Illinois … Left the team following the Indiana game in week 4, preserving a redshirt season … Caught 7 passes for 84 yards … Had 2 catches against Western Illinois (25 yards), Duke (21 yards) and Indiana (13 yards).
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2024 at Illinois)
Appeared in 10 games … Caught 4 passes for 77 yards and a TD … Opened season with 2 receptions for 51 yards and a TD in win over Eastern Illinois … Had 1 catch for 15 yards at Nebraska … Closed the season with 1 catch for 11 yards in win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl … Named Academic All-Big Ten.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2023 at Illinois)
Played in 9 games as a true freshman 2023 … Caught 5 passes for 52 yards and a TD … Scored first career TD on a 19-yard pass in the fourth quarter against Penn State … Had 3 receptions for 28 yards vs. the Nittany Lions … Had 2 catches for 24 yards at Purdue.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rated as a 4-star recruit by 247Sports Composite, Rivals, and On3 Consensus … Ranked as high as No. 24 nationally at his position by Rivals, No. 55 by 247Sports and No. 58 by ESPN … Ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in Illinois for the Class of 2023 … Led Simeon to a 12-1 mark as a senior and to Chicago Public League and Prep Bowl titles … Tallied 45 receptions for 1,025 yards and 11 TDs as a senior … Had 35 catches for 674 yards and 12 TDs as a junior … Earned All-Area and All-City honors as a senior … Played in the All-America Game … Also played defensive back and returned punts … Played for head coach Dante Culbreath at Simeon.
Malik Elzy’s Career Highs
Receiving
Receptions: 3 vs. Penn State, 2023
Yards: 51 vs. Eastern Illinois, 2024
TDs: 1, 2x (Last: vs. Eastern Illinois, 2024; First; vs. Penn State, 2023)
Long Reception: 34 vs. Eastern Illinois, 2024