Malik Spencer’s path to the 2026 NFL Draft runs through Atlanta, Buford, East Lansing — and one of the most recognizable names in Southern hip-hop.
The Michigan State safety is in this year’s draft class after four seasons with the Spartans. Listed at 6-1 and 195 pounds, Spencer broke through as a sophomore in 2023, starting eight games, finishing second on the team in tackles and pass breakups, and logging over 600 defensive snaps.
Before Michigan State, Spencer was part of a Buford program that won three straight Class 6A state championships. He was named one of the best linebackers in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution his senior year, tallying 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions as a junior.
His bloodlines run through the music industry, not football.
Spencer is the son of Russell “Block” Spencer, the Atlanta hip-hop executive and founder of Block Entertainment — the label behind Boyz N Da Hood, and the man who signed Yung Joc to Bad Boy South in the mid-2000s.
Block, who grew up in Atlanta before raising his family in its suburbs, has talked openly about driving young Malik back into the city to train with tougher competition as a kid.
That toughness is what scouts keep coming back to on Spencer’s tape.
Click here to see why Sports Illustrated is calling Spencer a “diamond in the rough.”
CAREER NOTES: Four-year letterwinner played in 38 games with 29 starts at safety for the Spartans from 2022-25 . . . recorded 173 career tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss (26 yards), 2.0 sacks (21 yards), 13 pass break-ups and two interceptions . . . three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
