Ohio State defensive tackle Tywone Malone Jr. accomplished a rare feat on Jan. 20 when the Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. Because that gave Malone two national titles at the collegiate level, including the College World Series-winning team he was a part of at Ole Miss in 2022. (It is the only baseball national championship in the Rebels’ history.)
The 6-foot-4, 301-pound Malone transferred to Ohio State in 2023 and was a rotational piece on the Buckeyes’ talented defensive line during their national championship season of 2024. He had a total of eight tackles and is expected to play a bigger role as a fifth-year senior in 2025. Ohio State is losing starting D-tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton. And while Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald are expected to replace them as starters, Malone will provide valuable depth and experience.
A native of Jamesburg, N.J., Malone was ranked as the No. 11 defensive lineman and the No. 63 overall recruit in the country in the 2021 class, per the 247Sports Composite. He was also ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the state of New Jersey.
Malone’s four-year college journey has been a storybook for him. And thankfully for him and OSU, he has another season remaining on the gridiron. He gave up baseball when he transferred to Ohio State, which was not an easy decision for the big guy.
Bucknuts caught up with him for his thoughts on being a national champion in two different sports at two different institutions.
“From defending blocks and hitting people – to rounding the bases after a home run — I’m just a kid who has love for the two sports,” Malone said. “But to see my passion, dedication and hard work turn into winning two national championships — one in football and one in baseball — is an accomplishment and an achievement few get to experience in their lifetime and I can proudly and loudly say I am one of the few. It is unbelievable, amazing and comforting all in one.”
As for his goals for his final collegiate season, Malone said: “I’m training and working hard to have a breakout season next year.”
He also plans to give his mother, Debra Malone, his national championship ring. And that makes his very proud mother even happier.
“I am so very proud of him; he wanted this since he was a little kid,” Debra Malone said. “To accomplish both is such a great blessing for him. He is gonna to work his tail off so he can get on the field and play with his brothers.”
All that is left to do now is for Malone to claim a third national championship during his college career. Hey, why not?
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