Ohio State has added an Ole Miss transfer for the second time this offseason.
Former Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Tuesday, joining cornerback Davison Igbinosun as former Rebels who have made the move from Oxford to Columbus this offseason.
New chapter same Mission pic.twitter.com/vFr7w4ePDl
— Tywone Malone (@TywoneMalone) May 9, 2023
A four-star recruit ranked as the No. 63 overall prospect and No. 11 defensive lineman in the class of 2021, Malone was heavily recruited by Ohio State out of high school. While Ohio State looked like a frontrunner to land the New Jersey native at one point, he ended up choosing Ole Miss from a top six that also included Florida State, Rutgers, Texas A&M, Tennessee and USC.
The Malone File
- Year: Redshirt Sophomore
- Size: 6-4/300
- Pos: DT
- Previous School: Ole Miss (2021-22)
- Stats: 13 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 pass deflections in two seasons
This time around, the Buckeyes were successful in winning the battle for Malone after he chose to enter the transfer portal following two seasons at Ole Miss. Malone was also pursued heavily by Miami (Florida), but chose the Buckeyes after visiting both schools.
Malone will arrive in Columbus next week to begin his Ohio State career.
Malone didn’t play much for the Rebels, recording just 13 total tackles with two sacks and two pass deflections over two seasons. That said, Malone still has three years of collegiate eligibility and will begin his Ohio State career as a backup on a defensive tackle depth chart led by Mike Hall and Tyleik Williams – the two defensive tackles Ohio State signed in the 2021 class – as well as Ty Hamilton.
He bolsters Ohio State’s depth at a position where the Buckeyes were set to have only five non-freshmen this year. Malone will compete with Jaden McKenzie and Hero Kanu in preseason camp for the fourth spot on Ohio State’s two-deep and playing time in the rotation at defensive tackle, where Larry Johnson has been known to rotate anywhere from four to six players regularly.
Malone played some snaps at defensive end at Ole Miss, giving him the versatility to potentially play anywhere along the defensive line, though the 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive lineman is expected to play inside in Columbus.
Malone also played baseball during his two years at Ole Miss, though he had just one hit in 10 at-bats this year before leaving the team. While his desire to play both sports was a factor in his initial decision to go to Ole Miss, Malone told 247Sports he will not play baseball at Ohio State.
We all knew this was coming @TywoneMalone | @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/uZnmZj0AfJ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 21, 2023
Malone becomes the third player to transfer to Ohio State in the post-spring window, joining former Notre Dame wide receiver Lorenzo Styles (who will play cornerback for the Buckeyes) and former San Diego State offensive tackle Josh Simmons. They join a group of pre-spring transfers that includes Igbinosun, former Syracuse safety Ja’Had Carter, former Louisiana-Monroe offensive lineman Victor Cutler Jr., former Oregon State quarterback Tristan Gebbia and former Arizona State long snapper John Ferlmann.
Malone is the first defensive lineman to join the Buckeyes as a scholarship transfer in Larry Johnson’s tenure as Ohio State’s defensive line coach.
Malone is expected to be Ohio State’s final transfer addition for the 2023 season. While the Buckeyes were scheduled to host UAB safety Jaylen Key on an official visit this week, Key told 247Sports’ Chris Hummer that he will no longer make that visit, instead opting to choose between Alabama, Florida State and Ole Miss. Ohio State does not appear to be pursuing any other players still in the portal following the post-spring transfer window.
