One of the most legendary players and perhaps the best defensive player of a generation, Khalil Mack has been revolutionary as a linebacker in the NFL. While his first focus was basketball, a patella tendon tear forced him to switch careers at the high school level. As a result, he was largely unnoticed and joined the State University of New York at Buffalo to play D-1 football.
After spending his freshman year as a redshirt, Mack exploded onto the scene, instantly becoming a juggernaut defender. With 68 tackles, 10 pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles, Mack arrived. Despite his accomplishments, he was rated just 46/99 by EA Sports in their college football game, a number that became his jersey to provide further motivation. He came back the next year stronger than ever, leading the team in sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles. As a result, he was named first-team All-MAC.He continued his stellar play the following year, even setting career highs in all major categories. In his final year, he finally broke through into the three digits for tackles. He won the CFPA Linebacker Trophy, while also earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. However, the most famous accomplishment from his entire collegiate tenure remains his record-tying number of career tackles for loss at 75. He was widely regarded as the best Buffalo player in D-1 history.
Projected to go high in the first round, the only shock to his selection with the fifth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders was him becoming the highest-drafted Buffalo player ever. A strong rookie season saw him finish in the top 3 for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year, poised for a breakout, he shifted over to the defensive end position and would suit up for both roles. His strong play, which included a franchise record-tying 5 tackle performance, resulted in a Pro Bowl selection. His spectacular play in both positions led to Mack becoming the first player in NFL history to make the All-Pro First Teams at two positions in the same year. He doubled over his efforts in his third year with the Raiders, earning his second selection to the Pro Bowl and on the first-team All-Pro. However, it was also the year he won the big one, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Butkus Award. In his final year with the Raiders, Mack would earn another Pro Bowl selection, his third in a row on the way to 6 straight. The following year, after a lengthy holdout period, Khalil forced his way out of Oakland to join the Chicago Bears, where he signed a 6-year, $141 million contract that made him the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
What is Khalil Mack’s Height?
Khalil Mack has a recorded height of 6 feet and 3 inches or 1.91 meters. Khalil Delshon Malik was born on February 22, 1991, in Fort Piece, Floria. While he spent most of his childhood in the region, a shift to Buffalo for college saw him become the greatest college footballer to come out of the University. With a height perfectly suited for the linebacker position, Khalil was always in a position to succeed. However, despite a late introduction to football, Mack has become one of the most feared defenders on the planet.
In his debut year for the Bears, Mack finished with the most sacks by a Bears player in close to 25 years, while leading the team to a playoff berth. His streak of Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams continued, while his 90.7 defensive grade was 2nd among all defenders, reflective of his positioning in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. The next year, became a celebratory one for Khalil as he was selected to the Pro Bowl once again while also becoming a member of the 2010s All-Decades Team. In his third year with Chicago, his streak for Pro Bowls continued as he continued to make the most of his linebacker-ideal height and 122 kg frame. In a continuing trend, his fourth and final year with the Bears saw Mack go under the knife due to season-ending foot surgery.
Before the 2022 campaign, the team traded Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. Reunited with Brandon Staley, Mack saw a return to form as he continued his Pro Bowl ways. With the Chargers poised for a breakout, his defensive instincts paired with Justin Herbert’s quarterbacking could be the deciders for how the team fares.
FAQs
A. After enjoying four-year stints with the Chicago Bears and the Oakland Raiders, Khalil Mack was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in March of 2022.
A. As of August 2023, Khalil Mack is 32 years old.
A. As a high school athlete, Mack was a basketball player. However, a tear in his patella tendon caused a switch of sports in his final year. Owing to his relative inexperience, Mack was just a two-star recruit coming out of high school.
A. Perfectly suited for the Linebacker position, Khalil Mack stands at six feet and 3 inches, or 1.91 meters tall.
