Wide receiver Malik Heath would often look like a future pro when he was playing at Copiah-Lincoln Community College from 2018-2020.

On Monday, Heath fulfilled that destiny by making the 53-man roster of the Green Bay Packers.

It’s been quite a journey to the NFL for the Jackson native and alum of Callaway High School.

Heath was rated as the no. 1 high school player in the state as a senior and signed with Mississippi State over a slew of other SEC offers.

After failing to qualify academically, Heath ended up in Wesson as Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis has long had a strong relationship with the MSU staff going back to his time working for Jackie Sherrill in Starkville. 

As a freshman in 2018, Heath caught 28 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. His sophomore numbers were similar in 2019 as Heath hauled in 33 passes for three scores in eight games.

Heath reaffirmed his commitment to MSU by again signing with the Bulldogs as he was ranked as the no. 2 JUCO wide receiver in the country coming out of Wesson. 

In two seasons at MSU, he played in 21 career games and caught 71 passes for 749 yards. 

It wasn’t all smooth sailing along the way as Heath was one of the players most scrutinized for his actions following the brawl between the University of Tulsa and MSU following the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl.

With an extra year of eligibility, Heath transferred to the University of Mississippi to play for head coach Lane Kiffin in 2022.

In Oxford, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Heath had the best season of his college career. Last year he led the Rebels with 60 receptions and piled up 971 yards while scoring five touchdowns. His 971 yards were the third most in the SEC last season.

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Heath signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent.

Tuesday was cutdown day in the NFL, where teams trim their rosters from 90 players to the league mandated 53-man roster ahead of the season openers next week.

Heath helped himself stick with the Packers by having a strong showing in three preseason games. He had 12 receptions on 16 targets for 146 yards.

Heath won’t be the only Co-Lin alum playing in the NFL as veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet made the roster of the Baltimore Ravens. 

Maulet, who played at the University of Memphis after Co-Lin, has previously played for the Saints, Colts, Jets and Steelers in his career.

Former Co-Lin star Montez Sweat also made the roster of the Washington Commanders as one would expect. Sweat was the 26th overall pick out of Mississippi State by Washington in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Additionally, former Wolves Natrone Brooks and TK McLendon made it down to the final cut day with their teams. Brooks, a defensive back who last played at Southern Miss, was in a battle for a roster spot with the Falcons. McLendon, a defensive lineman who played tight end at Wesson and transferred first to LSU and then to Eastern Kentucky, was waived on Tuesday by the Tennessee Titans.