New Jersey’s No. 1 DT Tywone Malone is an Ole Miss Rebel!
Tywone Malone is an Ole Miss Rebel!
After months of speculation and offers from many Power 5 and SEC schools, Malone — the nation’s No. 5 defensive tackle out of Bergen Catholic in Oradell, New Jersey — signed with Ole Miss Wednesday on ESPN2.
Malone is New Jersey’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2021, according to 247sports. His 6-foot-4, 280-pound size combined with his unusual agility set him apart from others in the class and made him a highly coveted recruit.
Malone had narrowed his list to Ole Miss, A&M, Florida State, Rutgers, Tennessee, and USC.
In addition to being among the best at his defensive position, Malone also spent some time on offense at tight end for Bergen Catholic. And many may not realize that while head coach Lane Kiffin and staff have been recruiting Malone, so has Carl Lafferty and the Ole Miss baseball program.
Malone is an outstanding player on the baseball diamond as well, and that played a role in his decision to come to Ole Miss.
4-star football recruit Tywone Malone is 6’4” 300 lbs and can hit a ball a mile 💪 (via youthprospects/IG) pic.twitter.com/oNsB8xY2Bt
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) July 8, 2020
His coach at Bergen, Vito Campanile, described Malone’s physical prowess to 247Sports last fall.
“In the years I have been coaching, I really haven’t been around as gifted an athlete as Ty. He has as good of hands as any guy in the program. And I attribute that to baseball.”
Coach Campanile on Tywone Malone
The 247Sports Composite index would agree, as Malone comes in with a composite score of 0.9709, making him the highest-rated prospect of Lane Kiffin’s 2021 Ole Miss signing class. Here’s a glimpse why:
Big Man Touchdown ❕❗️❕
Tywone Malone (@TywoneMalone) with the pick-six for @BergenCathFBall pic.twitter.com/GSlxN0yrtS
— Gus Ramos (@G1Bound) October 10, 2020
Here’s how 247Sports evaluates Malone:
“Big-framed defensive lineman with good height and length. Measured 34-inch arms as a sophomore and an 80-inch wingspan as a junior. Also owns college-ready mass with build to fit multiple fronts. Experience inside and on the edge vs. good high school competition. Flashes impressive strength-to-power ability as a stout bull rusher. Length and strength foster stack-and-shed ability vs. the run. Keeps his eyes forward and locates the ball well. Somewhat of a short-strider who redirects adequately relative to size. Generally quick off the ball. Strong tackler who arrives with purpose. Two-sport athlete who plans to play football and baseball in college. Pad level is adequate but can show more consistency in that department. Tools-laden defensive lineman who will need to expand move set and overall nuance. Legitimate high-major D-line prospect who could become multi-year impact starter with a real shot at reaching the NFL Draft.” – Gabe Brooks
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
