Malik Feaster announced via Twitter on July 31 his plans to transfer to Florida State for his final year of college football. The defensive back, who has had a stellar career to date at Jacksonville State, was not too long ago showing off his abilities at The Reservation at Stephens County.

The 2017 Stephens County grad made an immediate impact once leaving Toccoa for Jacksonville State. While most kids have to redshirt or wait their turn to be a playmaker, he was busy making noise from day one. In his 2018 freshman season for the Gamecocks, he totaled 28 tackles (2.5 for loss), nine PBUs, an interception, and a fumble recovery. That propelled him into the 2019 season, where those numbers were 40 tackles (one for loss) and eight PBUs. Then the COVID-shortened 2020 season happened. Feaster registered eight tackles (0.5 for loss) and one PBU in a season that was also altered due to injury.

“I learned a lot about my mental capacity and resilience,” says Feaster of that road to recovery. “Having a career injury takes a toll on a player’s confidence and mental health. It was hard being out and not playing the game you love beside your brothers. Being in a place like that builds your will to fight against adversity. So that was a great experience for me.”

He more than rebounded – he had a career year in 2021, totaling 42 tackles, six PBUs, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a 100-yard fumble recovery for a TD. His success after the injury was no surprise to most – and he was not at all shocked by it.

“Me coming back to have my best year didn’t surprise me because of work I had to put in to come back,” states Feaster. “It was satisfying seeing my hard work come to fruition.”

Feaster, who has 118 career tackles (4 TFL), 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, a pair of fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, as well as five kick returns for 86 yards (17.2 average return), then made the decision to go for a fifth season at Florida State.

“The process was good,” says Feaster. “FSU sold me because of the opportunities that are presented. Their base down defense involves three corners being on the field most of the time. So that’s more room for me to compete to earn a starting role.”

He’s joining a team that is seeking a rebound from a 5-7 season, though five of the losses were by 10 or less points, and three by just three points. The Seminoles of the ACC can use a talent like Feaster’s in 2022.

“My goal is to get on campus and make an immediate impact,” adds Feaster. “First was getting there. Now that I’m here, I have to take advantage of every opportunity that is given. The goal is to have the best season of my life here at FSU. I’m not too caught up on the NFL and my draft stock right now. That can distract me from the task that is at hand. I’m taking it one day at a time. I’ll focus on the NFL when that time gets here.”

Though he’s a fifth-year senior, he technically earned a medical redshirt in 2020 with the injury, but on top of that, those players received an extra year as well. However, Feaster has decided this will be it, despite using an extra year if he wanted to.

“The plan is to come in and play,” adds Feaster. “I have to earn that playing time, but I feel that it is very much possible for me. I don’t plan on taking my extra year. I want to play this last one and move on from there.”

So whether this season includes extra games (say ACC championship or bowl game) or whether this will be the end of the road for Malik Feaster playing football, he will leave it all on the field.

“I want to look back at every decision I made and know I did everything 110%,” exclaims Feaster. “I have no interest in looking back and regretting anything that I will do. The plan was to get a Power 5 offer and I’ve done that. Now it’s time to go to work. What happens from here is totally up to me, and like I said before.. I have no interest in regretting anything. I just need to do what I’m capable of.”

Feaster and his Seminoles will open the 2022 season on August 27 against Duquesne in Tallahassee. Feaster was a standout athlete at Stephens County, and in his senior year tallied around 50 tackles with three interceptions, and a pair of receiving TDs as well. His 100-yard TD fumble recovery tied the NCAA FCS record for longest return for a TD. He is noted for allowing only four TDs against 104 targets while at Jacksonville State, and was a two-time conference champion.