• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

DT Tywone Malone (National Champion)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
plum diamonds buckeye planet
Sort by date Sort by votes

Tywone Malone Jr. Making Unexpected Surge to Starting Role in Fifth Season: “His Mindset's Changed”​

By Andy Anders on October 2, 2025 at 12:14 pm @andyanders55
Tywone Malone Jr.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Email this ArticleShare on RedditShare on TwitterShare on Facebook
3 Comments
Three seasons at Ohio State. Five total seasons of college football. And yet, coming into the 2025 season, it looked as though Tywone Malone Jr. might end his collegiate career never being a consistent starter.
He made his first career start last season against Marshall, only to see his usage tank the rest of the season. He wasn’t sitting atop the depth chart at defensive tackle entering 2025. But with back-to-back starts over sophomore Eddrick Houston and improving evaluations from Ryan Day, Malone has begun to take up the mantle as the Buckeyes’ top three-technique DT.
“He's been consistent in his approach,” Day said on Wednesday. “I think he graded out his best game that he's graded out so far this year against Washington. So, I think his confidence is improving. You're seeing more consistency. He's using what he's doing in practice and learning about what needs to be done, in terms of taking on blocks in the run game, and also in the pass rush. Using the tools that Coach (Larry) Johnson and Coach (Matt) Patricia are giving him, and now they're starting to show up on the field. And it's a mindset, and his mindset's changed, and because of that you're seeing better play.”

Through 2023 and 2024, after Malone transferred to Ohio State, much of the conversation in speaking with him and Johnson revolved around how things could change now that his full focus was on football.
Malone was a touted prospect in the recruiting class of 2021, a top-70 recruit in the 247Sports composite. The Buckeyes pursued him hard, but he ultimately signed with Ole Miss, in part because he wanted to continue playing baseball, a desire the Rebels accommodated. But it diverted attention from his primary sport and hurt his development. When he transferred to Ohio State, he dropped baseball and had to learn to approach football like a pro.
“It was a long (process),” Malone said. “Sitting every time with Coach J, just talking about what can I do to improve on my game. Watching films on other guys, like I mentioned before, and seeing how they handle themselves in situations, how they handle themselves on the field. How they handle themselves in the film studies, practice, stuff like that.”
Malone saw little playing time in his first year at Ohio State. He carved out a rotational role in 2024 and made the aforementioned start in game three vs. the Thundering Herd, then opened at three-tech again vs. Michigan State in game four when regular starter Tyleik Williams was injured. But Malone played at least 10 snaps in a game just once after that, against Purdue in the Buckeyes’ ninth game. He saw 11 snaps combined in their four College Football Playoff games.
Houston emerged as the heir apparent to Williams, a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL draft, in that timeframe. The then-freshman Houston made his first career start over Malone against Purdue when Williams was sidelined again. Houston solidified himself as the backup three-tech for Ohio State’s entire CFP run.
A five-star prospect, Houston seemed destined to capitalize on that momentum this year, even if an injury on the first day of preseason camp set him back a few weeks while he worked back to 100 percent. But Malone stayed motivated alongside the rest of a defensive line room hungry to prove it wasn’t just table scraps left over after all four starters from the Buckeyes’ 2024 front four started careers in the NFL.



www.elevenwarriors.com

Tywone Malone Jr. Making Unexpected Surge to Starting Role in Fifth Season: “His Mindset's Changed”

A mindset shift and dedicated approach in the film room have propelled Tywone Malone Jr. to the top of Ohio State's DT depth chart in his fifth and final collegiate season.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com
 
Upvote 0

Tywone Malone Jr.​

McDonald’s co-starter took strides in what was likely the best performance of his Ohio State career. With Eddrick Houston out for an unknown time for an unknown reason, the three-technique position is now Malone’s to fully command, and he answered accordingly with four tackles, including this beauty that prevented a touchdown on an Illinois shovel pass. It’s been better late than never for the redshirt senior.

www.elevenwarriors.com

Stock Up/Down: Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Kayden McDonald Generate Big Defensive Plays for Buckeyes, Michigan and Penn State Crash Out in Week 7

Stocks are soaring for several Buckeye defenders again after a great win at Illinois, outings that can't be taken for granted given what happened to Penn State and Michigan this weekend.
www.elevenwarriors.com www.elevenwarriors.com
 
Upvote 0
Am certainly surprised to see the emergence of Tywone as a 'star' on the DL. Sitting on my couch, and wondering (it's what I do), how or who helped light the fire under this guy. Was it LJsr, who pointed out that this is his 'money' year, so get after it? or was it he, himself who said, golly gee, this is my last go-round, so I'd better start playing harder? Might be a good motivational book, and probably a combination of a number of things. For whatever reason, over time, have seen seniors catch on fire during their last year(s) (See Caden Curry) who 'finally' get it. Marshon Lattimore was another, who surprised me when he lit up in the pros. Anyway, an idle musing on a Thursday. Go Bucks!
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top