Ohio State Defensive Tackle Tywone Malone Becomes Second Summer Enrollee to Shed Black Stripe

After Ohio State announced that freshman offensive lineman Luke Montgomery shed his black stripe on Saturday, the program revealed that Ole Miss transfer defensive tackle Tywone Malone also added scarlet to his helmet following the Buckeyes' intrasquad scrimmage at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Malone was one of three transfers who enrolled at Ohio State this summer, as offensive lineman Jimmy Simmons (San Diego State) and cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Notre Dame) also arrived on campus in June. Simmons was the first of the trio to shed his black stripe on Thursday.

At 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, Malone has the size and strength to be a force on the interior defensive line. The former No. 1 prospect in New Jersey, No. 11 defensive lineman and No. 63 overall recruit in the class of 2021 was heavily recruited by Ohio State out of Bergen Catholic High School. However, Malone chose to attend Ole Miss, where he pursued a collegiate career in football and baseball. After two seasons with the Rebels, Malone entered the transfer portal and committed to the Buckeyes.

“I was happy at Ole Miss. That was my home. Those are my brothers and will always be my brothers. But I had to start up a new chapter,” Malone told Eleven Warriors in July.

At Ohio State, Malone will immediately add depth behind Mike Hall Jr., Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton at defensive tackle. He will hope to use the experience and production collected at Ole Miss – 14 appearances, 13 tackles and two sacks – to earn snaps in defensive line coach Larry Johnson's position room.

“He’s got game experience,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of Malone in preseason camp. “He’s got toughness. He's got savvy. He’s someone you feel comfortable with right away. He can handle things — and the physicality, too.

“You need and you want so many guys that can play. You want as many guys that can play to step up. He adds so much depth. ... Other guys will be fresher because of it.”

Malone is the fourth Ohio State player to shed his black stripe this week. Simmons and offensive lineman Victor Cutler Jr. received the honor on Thursday, and Montgomery and Malone accompanied them on Saturday. Below is the complete list of Buckeyes who have shed their black stripes this offseason: