DeAngelo Malone Bio
DeAngelo Malone (born July 12, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 235 pounds, he wears jersey number 50 and plays an edge-rushing role in the Falcons’ defense. After starring as a pass rusher for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, he entered the league as a third-round pick in 2022 and has continued to develop as a versatile defender.
DeAngelo Malone Early Life and Background
DeAngelo Malone grew up in Ellenwood, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He originally attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School before transferring to Cedar Grove High School, where he completed his high school career. At Cedar Grove, he played a key role on a defense that helped the team capture a AAA state championship in Georgia.
As a senior, Malone recorded 49 tackles with eight tackles for loss and earned first-team All-State and All-Metro honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rated as a three-star college recruit, he drew interest from several programs and ultimately committed to play college football at Western Kentucky over an offer from Buffalo.
Path to American Football
Malone made an immediate impression when he arrived at Western Kentucky, becoming a starter during his freshman season. That early opportunity allowed him to gain valuable experience at the NCAA Division I level and set the stage for his emergence as one of the top defensive players in Conference USA.
As a sophomore, he earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition after posting 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. His combination of size, speed, and pass-rushing instincts drew national attention and helped him develop into a premier edge prospect.
DeAngelo Malone Career
Early College Career (2017–2018)
During his first two seasons with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, DeAngelo Malone showed steady growth as a pass rusher. As a freshman, he recorded 25 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries while learning the demands of collegiate football. The following year, he doubled his production across nearly every major statistical category, establishing himself as one of the conference’s most disruptive defenders.
Western Kentucky Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Malone’s junior season in 2019 marked his true arrival as a star. He totaled 99 tackles and finished fourth in the nation with 21 tackles for loss, while also ranking 12th nationally with 11.5 sacks. He added 16 quarterback hurries and returned a fumble for a touchdown, earning both C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-C-USA honors.
After briefly considering the 2020 NFL Draft, Malone chose to return for his senior season. He opened the year on the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlists and was named the preseason C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. ESPN also listed him among the top five outside linebacker prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft, underscoring his status as a top prospect.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–Present)
DeAngelo Malone was selected in the third round with the 82nd overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Falcons acquired the pick as part of the trade that sent quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded his first professional sack in Week 7 of his rookie season against the Cincinnati Bengals, signaling his ability to contribute right away.
In 2025, Malone began the season as one of Atlanta’s auxiliary defensive ends and continued to expand his role within the defense. In Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, he recorded his first career interception off quarterback Josh Allen, helping the Falcons secure a 24–14 victory. Later that season, he suffered an ankle injury during a Week 10 game against the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve on November 13, 2025. On April 1, 2026, he re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Malone is regarded as a versatile edge defender who combines pass-rushing explosiveness with the size to set the edge against the run. His college production demonstrated an ability to chase down plays in the backfield, while his NFL work has shown growth in coverage, highlighted by his first career interception in 2025. He has steadily added responsibility within Atlanta’s defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Malone’s signature moments are his C-USA Defensive Player of the Year awards, his 82nd overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, and his first NFL interception against the Buffalo Bills in 2025. His three career sacks through the 2024 season mark a steady contribution to the Falcons’ pass rush.
DeAngelo Malone Career Wins
As a linebacker and edge rusher, DeAngelo Malone’s statistical milestones include two C-USA Defensive Player of the Year awards and three consecutive first-team All-C-USA selections. His transition to the NFL has produced his first career sack and his first career interception, both considered breakthrough moments in his young professional career.
Conference USA Highlights
Malone earned C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 and again in 2021, recognizing his dominance as a pass rusher. He was a first-team All-C-USA selection in 2019, 2020, and 2021, a three-year run that placed him among the most decorated defenders in program history.
Other Wins & Performances
Malone helped Cedar Grove High School win a Georgia AAA state championship during his high school career. At Western Kentucky, he played a central role on defenses that consistently ranked among the top units in Conference USA.
DeAngelo Malone Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
DeAngelo Malone is first cousins with offensive lineman Justin Shaffer, who was also selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft. The two share a football background and were part of the same rookie draft class for Atlanta.
Personal Life
Malone is a native of Ellenwood, Georgia, and has continued to make his home in the Atlanta area since joining the Falcons. Public details about his personal relationships and family life beyond his cousin Justin Shaffer are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
DeAngelo Malone’s 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons showed continued growth as he served as one of the team’s auxiliary defensive ends. He produced one of the highlights of the year in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, intercepting Josh Allen to help Atlanta win 24–14. His versatility along the defensive front gave the Falcons additional flexibility in their pass-rush rotations.
The season took a difficult turn in Week 10, when Malone suffered an ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts. He was placed on injured reserve on November 13, 2025, ending his on-field contributions for the remainder of the regular season. Despite the injury, his earlier performances cemented his role within the defense heading into the following year.
On April 1, 2026, Malone re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his development. As he works back from injury, Malone is expected to remain a key part of Atlanta’s edge-rushing group and a contributor on passing downs.
