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NFL starter, former Michigan State star Malik McDowell arrested after violent attack

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•01/18/22•

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Cleveland Browns Malik McDowell mentor gives more details after former Michigan State Spartans arrest
Jason Miller/Getty Images

Former Michigan State star Malik McDowell was arrested in Florida on Monday, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He’s facing multiple accusations as a result.

McDowell was arrested for public exposure and beating a deputy, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The police report, which the Sun-Sentinel obtained, said it was a “violent attack” and the deputy was left “dazed” as a result.

Police received a call about a man walking naked near a school, which led to the incident and arrest.

McDowell, who’s still on probation in Michigan, is accused of public exposure, resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.

More on Malik McDowell

McDowell was a two-time second team All-Big Ten nominee at Michigan State and flourished under Mark Dantonio. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2014 with 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 13 games for the Spartans. That earned him Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America. As a sophomore the next year, FOX Sports named him an All-American.

He was projected as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but ended up going No. 35 overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the second round.

Prior to his rookie year, he was in an ATV accident and suffered multiple injuries. Then, in September 2017, he was arrested for driving under the influence and sentenced to 12 months probation. In December 2017, he was arrested for disorderly conduct. Seattle waived him in July 2018.

In February 2019, McDowell was involved in an altercation with police in Michigan and charged with assault, resisting arrest and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Although he wasn’t on a team, the NFL suspended him for the first two weeks of the 2019 season as a result. He ended up getting sentenced to 11 months in prison that May, as well. The NFL suspended him for two games after that.

McDowell worked out for the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and returned to football this past year with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 15 games, including 14 starts, at defensive tackle.