Dashaun Mallory Bio
Dashaun Mallory is an American professional football defensive tackle who currently plays at the professional level after a college career split between major programs. Born on October 10, 1999, in Bolingbrook, Illinois, he developed into a disruptive interior lineman during his high school years before continuing his career at Michigan State and Arizona State. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Chicago Bears, marking the beginning of his professional career, and has since spent time in both the National Football League and the Canadian Football League.
Early Life and Background
Dashaun Mallory grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois, a suburb southwest of Chicago that has produced a steady stream of football talent. He attended Bolingbrook High School, where he played on the defensive line and quickly emerged as one of the most productive defenders in the program. During his senior season he totaled 20 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two total touchdowns, helping his team post a 7-4 record. That production earned him recognition as a three-star recruit by national scouting services.
Coming out of high school, Mallory decided to commit to play college football for the Michigan State Spartans. His combination of quickness off the snap and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield drew attention from Big Ten programs, and his commitment to the Spartans reflected his readiness for the next competitive step.
Path to American Football
Mallory’s development as a defensive tackle began in the Bolingbrook youth and high school system, where his physical profile, listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 275 pounds, allowed him to hold up against the run while remaining active as a pass rusher. Coaches valued his motor and finishing ability at the point of attack. His senior year production turned college interest into scholarship opportunities.
After evaluating his options, Mallory chose Michigan State to begin his college career, believing the Spartans’ defensive scheme suited his strengths. The move set the foundation for the next phase of his development at the highest levels of college football.
Dashaun Mallory Career
Early Career (2018-2022)
Mallory spent his first five college seasons at Michigan State, arriving as part of the Spartans’ 2018 recruiting class. In his first two seasons in 2020 and 2021, he combined for 27 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, two sacks, and a pass deflection, gradually adjusting to the speed of the Big Ten. His role expanded as he gained experience in the defensive line rotation.
During the 2022 season, Mallory played in eight games with two starts, notching 16 tackles with one and a half being for a loss, half a sack, and two fumble recoveries. After the conclusion of that season, he decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity for his final year of eligibility.
Michigan State Breakthrough (2020-2022)
Mallory’s breakthrough in terms of consistent playing time came during his second and third active seasons at Michigan State. The 2020 and 2021 campaigns gave him his first extended defensive snaps at the Power Five level, and his production increased as his technique improved. By 2022, he had earned two starts, signaling that the Spartans viewed him as a reliable contributor along the interior.
His two fumble recoveries during the 2022 season stood out as a sign of his nose for the ball, an attribute that would later define his professional profile. The decision to transfer after that season reflected his desire to showcase a broader skill set in a different scheme.
Arizona State Breakthrough (2023)
Mallory transferred to the Arizona State Sun Devils for the 2023 season, his final year of college eligibility. Operating in the Pac-12 under a new environment, he posted the most productive numbers of his collegiate career. During the 2023 campaign, he tallied 48 tackles with ten being for a loss, two sacks, and four pass deflections.
The jump in production validated his decision to move and strengthened his case as a professional prospect. His combination of run-stopping and pass-rushing metrics drew attention from NFL scouts evaluating interior defensive line depth.
Chicago Bears Era (2024)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Mallory signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. The Bears, his hometown area team, gave him an initial opportunity to compete for a roster spot along the defensive line. He was waived on August 27 as part of final cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
The practice squad stint allowed Mallory to continue his professional development while remaining tied to an NFL franchise. His time in Chicago marked his first experience inside a professional locker room and provided a foundation for the next step in his career.
Calgary Stampeders Era (2025)
Mallory signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on May 15, 2025, seeking a clearer path to game action. The CFL presented an opportunity to expand his role and showcase his skills in a rules environment that emphasizes the defensive line. He was released on June 1, 2025, ending a brief stint north of the border.
Driving Style and Strengths
Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 275 pounds, Mallory profiles as a compact, explosive defensive tackle who wins with leverage and effort rather than sheer size. His college statistics reflect a defender who pursues the football in the backfield, producing tackles for loss, sacks, and fumble recoveries across multiple schemes. He has shown comfort in both Big Ten and Pac-12 systems, suggesting scheme versatility along the interior line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mallory’s signature moments is his senior high school season at Bolingbrook, when he posted 20 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two total touchdowns. His 2023 campaign at Arizona State, where he recorded 48 tackles with ten for a loss, marked the high point of his college production. Signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and later joining the Calgary Stampeders in 2025 represent his key professional milestones to date.
Dashaun Mallory Career Wins
Dashaun Mallory’s verifiable career results to this point center on his production as an interior defensive lineman rather than championship titles. Across his college stops at Michigan State and Arizona State, he accumulated tackles for loss, sacks, fumble recoveries, and pass deflections, with his 2023 Arizona State season standing as the most productive year of his career. At the professional level, he has signed with NFL and CFL organizations, including the Chicago Bears and the Calgary Stampeders.
Michigan State Highlights
During his time at Michigan State from 2020 through 2022, Mallory built a steady foundation along the defensive line. Across the 2020 and 2021 seasons he combined for 27 tackles with three and a half tackles for a loss, two sacks, and a pass deflection. His 2022 campaign added 16 tackles, one and a half tackles for a loss, half a sack, and two fumble recoveries, reflecting a player growing into a larger rotational role.
Arizona State Highlights
Mallory’s lone season at Arizona State in 2023 produced his strongest statistical output, with 48 tackles, ten tackles for a loss, two sacks, and four pass deflections. The performance underscored his ability to disrupt offenses from the interior and helped position him for an NFL opportunity the following spring.
Dashaun Mallory Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no verified public information regarding Dashaun Mallory’s parents or extended family connections to professional football. He grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and built his path to the sport through local youth and high school programs.
Personal Life
Dashaun Mallory is not publicly known to be married, and no verified information about a spouse or children is available from the reviewed sources. He has focused his public profile on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year opened with Mallory still in search of a stable professional home after his 2024 practice squad experience with the Chicago Bears. In May 2025, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, a move intended to give him regular game action on the defensive line. His release on June 1, 2025, ended a brief CFL chapter and returned him to the open market.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Mallory’s outlook depends on securing another opportunity, whether in the NFL, the CFL, or another professional league. His combination of recent college production and two professional training environments gives him a credible resume as an interior defender seeking a roster spot. Continued development of his pass-rush plan and conditioning will shape his next professional chapter.