DeAngelo Malone Bio
DeAngelo Malone is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 12, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, Malone played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from 2017 to 2021. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round with the 82nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, Malone has established himself as a formidable defender, earning multiple collegiate accolades before making his mark at the professional level. As of the 2024 NFL season, he has recorded 51 total tackles and 3 sacks in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Malone grew up in Ellenwood, Georgia, where he initially attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School before transferring to Cedar Grove High School. At Cedar Grove, Malone emerged as a dominant defensive player, recording 49 tackles with eight tackles for loss during his senior season. His exceptional performance earned him first-team All-State and All-Metro honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Under Malone’s leadership, Cedar Grove High School captured the AAA state championship. Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Malone chose to continue his football career at Western Kentucky University, selecting the Hilltoppers over an offer from Buffalo.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Western Kentucky University, Malone quickly demonstrated his defensive prowess. He earned a starting role during his freshman year with the Hilltoppers, recording 25 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. His sophomore campaign saw further development as he accumulated 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, and eight quarterback hurries while also forcing two fumbles. These performances earned him honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition. Malone’s junior season represented his breakthrough, as he amassed 99 total tackles and led the nation with 21 tackles for loss while ranking 12th nationally with 11.5 sacks. His remarkable statistics earned him his first C-USA Defensive Player of the Year award and first-team All-C-USA honors.
Following his stellar junior season, Malone considered entering the 2020 NFL Draft but ultimately decided to return for his senior year. He entered the 2021 season on prominent award watchlists, including the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He was named the preseason C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and was projected as one of the top five outside linebacker prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft according to ESPN. Malone continued his dominant play through his senior season, earning his second C-USA Defensive Player of the Year award and extending his first-team All-C-USA streak to three consecutive years from 2019 through 2021.
DeAngelo Malone Career
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–Present)
Malone was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round with the 82nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Falcons had acquired this draft selection through a trade that sent former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. Malone immediately joined the Falcons’ defensive unit and began his professional career as a rotational player at the linebacker position. During his rookie season, he continued to develop his skills while contributing on special teams and in limited defensive snaps.
Malone recorded his first professional sack during Week 7 of the 2022 season when the Falcons faced the Cincinnati Bengals. This milestone marked his official introduction as a playmaker at the NFL level. Moving into the 2025 season, Malone had evolved into one of Atlanta’s primary defensive ends, playing a more significant role in the team’s defensive schemes. His development from a rookie contributor to a starting-caliber defender reflected his dedication to refining his craft and adapting to the speed and complexity of professional football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Malone’s playing style is characterized by his explosive first step and relentless pursuit of the quarterback. His collegiate success, particularly his high tackle-for-loss numbers, demonstrated his ability to penetrate gaps and disrupt opposing offenses. At 6 feet 3 inches and 235 pounds, he possesses the size and length to set edges against the run while maintaining the speed and agility to rush the passer from multiple alignments. His experience as a three-year starter at Western Kentucky provided him with extensive knowledge of defensive schemes and the mental acuity to quickly diagnose plays.
Notable Events and Milestones
During Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, Malone achieved a career milestone when he recorded his first professional interception. Playing against the Buffalo Bills and their star quarterback Josh Allen, Malone’s turnover proved crucial in securing a 24-14 victory for the Falcons. This play showcased his versatility beyond just pass-rushing, demonstrating his ability to make plays in coverage when called upon. However, the 2025 season ended prematurely for Malone when he suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve on November 13, 2025. On April 1, 2026, Malone re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract, indicating the team’s continued confidence in his abilities.
DeAngelo Malone Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Malone has compiled meaningful statistics during his professional career. His rookie season and subsequent years provided him with valuable experience in the Falcons’ defensive system.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Malone’s NFL career statistics as of the 2024 season reflect his contributions as a developing defender. He has accumulated 51 total tackles and 3 sacks across his time with the Falcons. His sack production demonstrates his ability to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, while his tackle numbers show his reliability in stopping the run and making stops in space.
College Career Highlights
Malone’s collegiate career at Western Kentucky stands as one of the most decorated in the program’s history. His most impressive season came in 2019 when he was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time after leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranking among the top performers in sacks. He repeated this achievement in 2021, cementing his status as one of the premier defensive players in Conference USA. Malone’s 21 tackles for loss in a single season ranked among the highest totals in the nation and highlighted his consistency in creating negative plays for opposing offenses.
| Competition Level | Total Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season (2022–2024) | 51 | 3 |
DeAngelo Malone Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While specific details about Malone’s parents and family background remain private, his athletic lineage includes a notable connection to another NFL player. DeAngelo Malone is a first cousin of Justin Shaffer, who shares a similar football journey. Both cousins were selected in the same NFL Draft class, with Shaffer also being chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. This family connection to professional football has provided Malone with a support system and understanding of the demands required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
Personal Life
Malone continues to maintain ties to his Georgia roots following his transition to professional football. His upbringing in the Atlanta area and his successful career at Cedar Grove High School shaped his development as an athlete and student-athlete. Following his college career at Western Kentucky, Malone pursued professional opportunities that allowed him to remain connected to his home state through his career with the Atlanta Falcons. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a pivotal year in Malone’s professional career. Entering the season as one of Atlanta’s starting defensive ends, he was positioned to take on an expanded role within the Falcons’ defense. His performance through the first portion of the season validated the team’s investment in his development, as he demonstrated improved consistency and playmaking ability. The interception against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 6 served as a signature moment, proving that Malone could impact games in multiple facets beyond his established pass-rushing skills.
Despite the individual success, the season encountered adversity when Malone suffered an ankle injury during Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts. The injury required him to be placed on injured reserve, prematurely ending his 2025 campaign. This setback came at a time when he was establishing himself as a consistent contributor within the Falcons’ defensive scheme. The team showed continued faith in his abilities by re-signing him to a one-year contract in April 2026. This new agreement presented Malone with an opportunity to reclaim his position and demonstrate the form that suggested he could become an even more impactful player within the Falcons’ defense. His combination of youth, collegiate production, and developing professional experience positions him as a player to watch as he continues his NFL career.