Former Ohio State Defensive Tackle Tywone Malone Jr. Signs With New Orleans Saints As Undrafted Free Agent

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, former Ohio State defensive tackle Tywone Malone Jr. has signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, according to multiple reports.

Malone, a native of Jamesburg, N.J., committed to Ole Miss as a four-star prospect and the No. 120 overall recruit in the class of 2021 out of Bergen Catholic. At Ole Miss, Malone played both football and baseball, helping the Rebels claim the College World Series in 2022, while racking up 13 total tackles and 2 sacks in 14 games with the football team.

After two seasons with the Rebels football and baseball squads, he transferred to Ohio State to focus on football.

Malone was rather quiet in his first two seasons with the Buckeyes, playing in 18 games and recording 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

Following a season behind former Ohio State defensive tackles Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams on the Buckeyes’ national championship team in 2024, Malone had the most productive season of his career in rotation with Eddrick Houston last season.

The 6-4, 309-pound defensive tackle played in 13 of Ohio State’s 14 contests, totaling 26 tackles, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

It wasn’t a surprise Malone finished undrafted, as the defensive tackle never started a full season with the Buckeyes. He will now enter the Saints’ defensive tackle unit, which includes Davon Godchaux, Christen Miller and Khristian Boyd.

Malone is now the third Buckeye to land in New Orleans, with the Saints selecting cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. in the fourth round and signing running back CJ Donaldson as an undrafted free agent.