Malik Heath Bio
Malik Shabazz Heath is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Copiah–Lincoln Wolves, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Ole Miss Rebels. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Heath signed with the Green Bay Packers and spent the early phase of his professional career developing into a contributing receiver in the league.
Early Life and Background
Malik Shabazz Heath was born on March 3, 2000, in Canton, Mississippi, and grew up in nearby Jackson, Mississippi. He attended Callaway High School, where he developed into a reliable pass-catcher for the local football program. Over the course of his high school career, he caught 78 passes for 1,837 yards and 13 touchdowns, building the foundation that would later take him to the college level.
Heath is the son of Harold Heath, a former tight end at Jackson State University. His father’s background in college football gave the young receiver an early understanding of the commitment required to play the sport at a high level. That family connection to the game helped shape his approach as he moved from the high school ranks toward collegiate competition.
Path to Professional Football
Heath began his college career at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, playing two seasons for the Wolves. During that stretch, he caught 61 passes for 835 yards and seven touchdowns across 17 games, establishing himself as a productive target at the junior college level. Following his sophomore season, he transferred to Mississippi State to compete in the Southeastern Conference.
Heath played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and worked his way into the rotation as a possession receiver. Across his time in Starkville, he accumulated receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns while adjusting to the speed and physicality of SEC football. After the 2021 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately joined the Ole Miss Rebels for his final college year.
Malik Heath Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Heath’s first season at Mississippi State came in 2020, when he caught 37 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. He followed that with 34 receptions for 442 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. On December 2, 2021, he was involved in a serious car crash in Mississippi, suffering a double lung collapse, a ruptured liver, and a broken rib cage, and underwent emergency surgery in Memphis, Tennessee. The injury ended his season and kept him out of the 2021 Liberty Bowl.
After entering the transfer portal, Heath joined Ole Miss and produced his most complete college season. In his only year with the Rebels, he led the team with 60 receptions, 971 receiving yards, and five touchdown catches. That performance helped him position himself for an opportunity in the NFL, even though he was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2023–2025)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Heath was signed by the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2023. On August 29, the Packers announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster, securing his spot on the active roster. He made his NFL debut on September 10, 2023, during a 38–20 win against the Chicago Bears.
Heath recorded his first NFL catch on November 19, 2023, a 7-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Love during a 23–20 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Later that season, on December 11, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Love during a 22–24 loss to the New York Giants. Those moments marked his breakthrough as an NFL pass-catcher.
Heath continued his development with the Packers through the following seasons, working within the team’s receiving corps. On December 6, 2025, the Packers waived him, ending his time in Green Bay. The departure opened the door to his next opportunity in the league.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
On December 8, 2025, Heath was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons, joining a new organization in the middle of the season. The move gave him a fresh chance to contribute as a depth receiver while adjusting to a different offensive system. He arrived in Atlanta looking to build on the experience he had gained in Green Bay.
Notable Events and Milestones
Heath’s career has included several defining moments, from his 2021 car crash and emergency surgery to his first NFL catch and first NFL touchdown with the Packers. His transition from undrafted free agent to active NFL contributor stands as the signature milestone of his early professional journey.
Malik Heath Career Wins
As a wide receiver, Malik Heath’s career is measured less by win totals and more by his on-field production and availability. His verified accomplishments include his first NFL reception, first NFL touchdown, and his roster survival on the way to a multi-year professional career.
Green Bay Packers Highlights
During his time with the Packers, Heath recorded his first NFL catch against the Los Angeles Chargers and his first NFL touchdown against the New York Giants. He also made the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023, a meaningful early-career milestone.
Other Wins & Performances
In college, Heath led Ole Miss in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches in his lone season with the Rebels. He also posted two productive seasons at Copiah–Lincoln Community College and developed steadily at Mississippi State before his senior transfer.
Malik Heath Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Heath is the son of Harold Heath, a former tight end at Jackson State University. His father’s college football experience helped introduce him to the demands of the sport from a young age. That family connection to football has remained a steady influence throughout his career.
Personal Life
Heath grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and is a United States citizen. Public information about his personal relationships, marital status, or children has not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in Heath’s young career, as he began the year with the Green Bay Packers before being waived on December 6, 2025. Days later, on December 8, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons, giving him a late-season opportunity in a new offensive system.
Heath’s role in Atlanta is expected to center on contributing as a depth wide receiver while learning the playbook and building chemistry with his new quarterbacks and coaches. The late-season move mirrors the kind of fresh start that has already defined his career arc, from undrafted rookie to active NFL contributor.
Looking ahead, Heath’s focus will be on establishing himself as a reliable target for the Falcons and earning a longer-term role in the league. His combination of size, college production at Ole Miss, and prior NFL experience gives him a foundation to build on as he continues his professional journey.