NFL quarterback prospect Malik Willis brings 'once in a lifetime' pro day to Liberty

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Ralph Wilson, better known as «Chopper'' at the Ninth Street Parlor, just finished giving Liberty University football coach Hugh Freeze a shave and haircut. The 56-year-old barber wanted the coach to look especially good for what he insisted was the biggest day this town, best known as the home of television evangelist Jerry Falwell Sr., has seen in his lifetime.

Maybe ever.

»It's going to blow,'' Chopper said late Monday afternoon. «MAAA-an, it's going to blow!''

Chopper was talking about pro day at Liberty University, which, until Tuesday, barely drew a blip on the NFL radar. Instead of the typical eight to 10 scouts, barely enough to run the wide assortment of drills, 70 NFL coaches, scouts and front office personnel will be on campus.

Instead of having one or two players hopeful of being a late-round pick or an undrafted pickup, 19 will be on display.

All 32 NFL teams will be represented, but some more than others. The Carolina Panthers, who have the No. 6 overall pick and are looking for a quarterback, will be out in full force with general manager Scott Fitterer, head coach Matt Rhule, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and others, just as they were on Monday in Pittsburgh for quarterback Kenny Pickett.

ESPN and NFL Network will do live shows from the campus outlined by the Blue Ridge Mountains.

They're will all here because of one player: senior quarterback Malik Willis, whose never-before-seen-talent in these parts has put Liberty on the NFL map in ways few, if any, ever imagined.

Even the city manager has called offering assistance.

»I don't think I can quantify [what this day means],'' Freeze said. «I just know it's huge.''

The school has spent weeks preparing for the pro day, an event they