Maalik Bomar: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Cincinnati OLB

Hailing from a family with seven siblings and two former college football players, Cincinnati outside linebacker Maalik Bomar is used to fighting his way out of the shadows.

His journey to the NFL might take a similar path.

Mostly overlooked by draft analysts and projections, Bomar will likely have to fight his way onto an NFL roster.

Here are the five things you need to know about the former Cincinnati outside linebacker. 

Background

Full Name: Maalik Easu Bomar 

Birthday: August 1, 1990

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

High School: Winton Woods

Major: Exploratory Studies

Year: Senior

According to his Cincinnati profile, Bomar was a 3-star recruit out of Winton Woods High School. His senior season saw Bomar earn all-league and all-state recognition as Winton Woods finished 11-2.

Rivals.com rated him as its 54th best outside linebacker and the 44th best player in the state of Ohio. 

Statistics

As a true freshman, Bomar appeared in nine games and made just seven tackles, mostly on special teams.

In 2010, Bomar was given his first start. That season, he produced arguably his best overall year, at least statistically. Over 12 games, he tallied 70 tackles, eight tackles for losses, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

His junior season saw Bomar register just 3.5 tackles for losses and one sack in 13 games, but he did record a career-high three pass breakups. 

A 13-game starter in his final year, Bomar posted 85 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, his lone interception and two passes defensed. He finished his career with 223 tackles, 15 tackles for losses, three sacks and five passes defenses. 

YEAR	G	TKL	TFL	SACK	INT	PD	FF
2009	9	7	0.0	0.0	0	0	0
2010	12	70	8.0	2.0	0	0	2
2011	13	61	3.5	1.0	0	3	0
2012	13	85	3.5	0.0	1	2	0
Total	47	223	15	3.0	1	5	2

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 232 lbs

Arm Length: Not listed

Hand Size: Not listed

Combine Results

40-yard dash: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Pro Day results

40-yard dash: 4.69 seconds

Broad jump: 9'7"

Vertical jump: 34.5"

Bench press: 19 reps

20-yard shuttle: 4.54 seconds

60-yard shuttle: 6.92 seconds

Bomar was not invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, but did work out for teams at the Cincinnati pro day, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com. He posted strong numbers. 

Brandt said teams consider Bomar to be a "very good" special teams player. 

Interesting Facts

Bomar comes from an athletic family with football tradition. According to his Cincinnati profile, Bomar's father, Jerry, played football at Marshall, and his brother, Tahj, played at Washington. 

He also has six brothers and sisters.

Bomar was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week when he made 16 tackles, including nine solo, against Virginia Tech in September of 2012.

His lone career interception came against Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in October of last season. 

Observations

The Sports Xchange ranks Bomar as the 34th-best outside linebacker in the 2013 class. He's projected as a late seventh-round pick or priority free agent. 

CBS Sports also has Bomar as its 34th best player at the position, and 369th overall. He was not given a draftable grade. 

However, a team in need of depth at outside linebacker and help on special teams could look Bomar's way.

According to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, Bomar is considered a "very good" special teams player by NFL teams.