Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Malik Willis is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his athleticism, strong throwing arm and ability to make plays with his legs, Willis has experienced an eventful football career. Away from the field, he comes from a supportive family that has played an important role in his development as an athlete and individual.
Born on May 25, 1999, in College Park, Georgia, Malik Antonio Willis is the son of Harold Willis and Shastca Grier. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Marquis Willis, and sister, Destini Willis. His parents supported his football ambitions from childhood, while his siblings have also been involved in athletics. Here is everything publicly known about Malik Willis’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Malik Willis’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Malik Willis has not publicly confirmed whether he is currently dating anyone. The Miami Dolphins quarterback has generally kept his romantic relationships private, choosing to focus public attention on his football career and personal values.
Unlike many professional athletes who regularly share photographs with their partners on social media, Willis has not publicly identified a girlfriend through a verified announcement or reliable interview.
His relationship status was previously documented in an official Tennessee Titans questionnaire published following the 2022 NFL Draft. At that time, Willis was listed as single. However, that historical information does not necessarily establish his current relationship status.
There have been no reliable recent announcements confirming that Willis is engaged or married. Consequently, any claims identifying a current girlfriend or wife should be treated cautiously unless supported by credible evidence.
Malik Willis’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, there is no publicly verified information confirming that Malik Willis has children.
In the Tennessee Titans’ official 2022 draftee questionnaire, Willis reported having no children. The document included a section requesting the names and ages of players’ children, and his response was recorded as none.
Although several years have passed since that questionnaire was published, Willis has not publicly confirmed becoming a father in reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
Therefore, there are no verified names, birth dates or other details of any children belonging to the quarterback.
Willis is known for maintaining a close relationship with his relatives, particularly his parents and siblings, but he has not made fatherhood a publicly documented part of his personal life.
Malik Willis’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Malik Willis was raised by his parents, Harold Willis and Shastca Grier, in Georgia. Both have played important roles in his development, supporting his athletic ambitions and helping him navigate important decisions throughout his football career.
His parents have occasionally spoken publicly about his childhood and the determination he demonstrated long before becoming an NFL quarterback.
Shastca Grier – Malik Willis’s Mother
Malik Willis’s mother is Shastca Grier, whose first name also appears as Shasta in some publications.
Grier has been one of her son’s strongest supporters since his early childhood. She witnessed his passion for football develop and encouraged him as he pursued his ambitions of playing professionally.
During an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta in February 2022, Grier recalled that Willis had dreamed of playing professional football from the age of four.
According to his mother, young Malik frequently talked about wanting to play on Northside Drive in Atlanta, where the Atlanta Falcons played their home games at the Georgia Dome.
Growing up in the Atlanta area, Willis attended Falcons games with his family, creating childhood memories that helped strengthen his interest in the sport.
His mother remained supportive as he developed his skills in high school and eventually attracted attention from major college football programs.
Her involvement continued as Willis progressed from Auburn University to Liberty University and later entered the NFL.
Harold Willis – Malik Willis’s Father
Malik Willis’s father is Harold Willis. He has been particularly influential in guiding his son’s football career and supporting decisions related to his athletic development.
In February 2022, Harold spoke with FOX 5 Atlanta about the family’s journey and the challenges Malik had encountered while pursuing his dream of reaching the NFL.
One of Harold’s most significant decisions involved moving the family from the Westlake community to Roswell, Georgia, during Malik’s high school years.
The move allowed Malik to transfer from Westlake High School to Roswell High School, where he received an opportunity to further develop as a quarterback.
Harold explained that the decision was influenced by his belief that Roswell’s football system would provide a better opportunity for his son to demonstrate his abilities as both a passer and runner.
The decision proved important, as Malik enjoyed a productive senior season before joining Auburn University.
Harold also supported his son when he later transferred from Auburn to Liberty, where he eventually became one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football.
Speaking about those experiences, Harold emphasized that overcoming adversity helped shape Malik’s character and prepared him for professional football.
Malik Willis’s Siblings: Meet His Brother and Sister
Malik Willis has two publicly confirmed siblings: a younger brother named Marquis Willis and a sister named Destini Willis.
Their identities are documented in official player biographies from Auburn University and the Tennessee Titans, making this one of the best-established aspects of his family background.
Marquis Willis – Malik Willis’s Younger Brother
Marquis Willis is Malik Willis’s younger brother and a college football player who has followed his older brother into competitive athletics.
Like Malik, Marquis grew up in Georgia and attended Roswell High School, where he played football and developed his abilities as an offensive player.
He later joined Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, where he gained experience playing wide receiver, quarterback and running back.
In July 2023, Marquis announced a commitment to Ole Miss. However, he ultimately did not join the Rebels and continued his football career elsewhere.
He subsequently joined Tarleton State University, where he became a wide receiver for the Texans.
During the 2025 college football season, Marquis recorded 515 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 23 receptions, according to Tarleton State’s official athletic records.
He continued with Tarleton State in 2026 as a fifth-year player.
Malik has publicly expressed support for his younger brother’s accomplishments. During a September 2026 Miami Dolphins press conference, he discussed attending one of Marquis’s games and praised the work his brother had put into developing his football career.
The brothers share a connection through football, and Malik’s professional achievements have provided an example for Marquis as he pursues his own athletic ambitions.
Destini Willis – Malik Willis’s Sister
Destini Willis is Malik Willis’s sister and another member of the family’s athletic background.
Her identity has been confirmed through Auburn University’s official player biography for Malik and the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 draft questionnaire.
Earlier biographical reporting identified Destini as a cheerleader at Albany State University in Georgia and described her involvement in the university’s cheerleading program.
However, her current educational activities and professional pursuits have not been independently confirmed through recent official information.
Malik has previously shared family photographs on social media featuring his siblings, reflecting their close relationship.
Although Destini is less publicly visible than her brothers, she remains part of the family whose support has accompanied Malik throughout his football journey.
Malik Willis’s Extended Family
Malik Willis also has family connections to professional football beyond his immediate household.
James Anderson – Malik Willis’s Uncle
Former NFL linebacker James Anderson is Malik Willis’s uncle.
Anderson played college football at Virginia Tech before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
He went on to play professionally for several NFL teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
Willis’s official NFL draft questionnaire identifies Anderson as a family member with professional sports experience.
Having a relative who previously competed at the highest level of American football is another noteworthy aspect of Willis’s family background.
How Malik Willis’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Family support has been a consistent factor throughout Malik Willis’s journey from high school football to the NFL.
After attending Westlake High School, Willis transferred to Roswell, where he excelled during his senior season. He passed for 2,562 yards and rushed for 1,033 yards while accounting for 37 touchdowns.
His performance helped him earn an opportunity at Auburn University, where he spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
However, Willis struggled to secure a permanent starting role and eventually transferred to Liberty University in 2019.
At Liberty, he developed into an accomplished dual-threat quarterback, earning national recognition for his passing and rushing performances.
The Tennessee Titans selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 86th overall pick.
After two seasons in Tennessee, Willis joined the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and spent two seasons with the organization.
On March 12, 2026, the Miami Dolphins officially announced his signing as an unrestricted free agent, giving him another opportunity to establish himself as an NFL quarterback.
Throughout these changes, Willis has continued to emphasize the importance of faith, family and perseverance.
In a March 2026 interview published by Go Long, his longtime quarterback trainer, Sean McEvoy, described Willis’s family as exceptionally close-knit. McEvoy explained that support from his parents, siblings and extended relatives helped him overcome professional setbacks and continue pursuing his ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malik Willis’s Family
Who is Malik Willis’s girlfriend?
As of now, Malik Willis has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend. His romantic life remains private.
Is Malik Willis married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Malik Willis is married.
Does Malik Willis have children?
Malik Willis has not publicly confirmed having children. His official 2022 NFL draft questionnaire listed no children, and no subsequent birth announcement has been reliably verified.
Who is Malik Willis’s mother?
Malik Willis’s mother is Shastca Grier, also identified as Shasta Grier in some sports publications. She has supported his football ambitions since childhood.
Who is Malik Willis’s father?
His father is Harold Willis, who helped guide his athletic development and supported several important decisions during his early football career.
How many siblings does Malik Willis have?
Malik Willis has two siblings: his brother, Marquis Willis, and his sister, Destini Willis.
Who is Malik Willis’s brother?
His younger brother is Marquis Willis, a college football wide receiver who played for Coahoma Community College before joining Tarleton State University.
Who is Malik Willis’s sister?
His sister is Destini Willis, who was previously reported to have participated in collegiate cheerleading at Albany State University.
Is Malik Willis related to another NFL player?
Yes. Former NFL linebacker James Anderson is his uncle. Anderson played for several professional teams, including the Carolina Panthers.
Where was Malik Willis born?
Malik Willis was born on May 25, 1999, in College Park, Georgia, United States.
Which NFL team does Malik Willis play for?
As of now, Malik Willis plays quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, having joined the organization in March 2026.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
