Despite a decent season from the Oklahoma defense, the Sooners’ coaches knew that they would need more depth in the defensive backfield.
In 2023, Woodi Washington and Gentry Williams were solid in their roles as the team’s primary cornerbacks, but OU lacked good depth behind the two starters.
Additionally, Williams dealt with a nagging shoulder injury during the season that held him out of multiple games and prevented the Tulsa product from finishing a handful of others.
With a young, inexperienced group of corners behind Williams and Washington, the Sooners needed to add a veteran defensive back as the team transitions into the SEC.
Jay Valai and company got just that when they landed a commitment San Diego State transfer Dez Malone.
"Smooth, long, and athletic... He has a work ethic that landed him at OU," Edison (CA) head coach Mike Stamps told AllSooners. "He focused up in the 10th grade and got better at his craft every year."
Stamps was one of Malone's coaches in high school, and has seen many talented players come through the Fresno area. Now the head coach at Edison High School, Stamps coaches Malone's younger brother, Dezjour Malone.
The older of the Malone brothers spent four seasons with the Aztecs, earning All-Mountain West Honorable Mention selections in each of the past two seasons.
Between 2022 and 2023, Malone tallied 90 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Malone played 692 snaps on defense for SDSU in 2023, with 284 coming in run defense and 402 coming in pass coverage.
Pro Football Focus gave Malone a 69.2 grade for his efforts in 2023, with the veteran DB earning a 68.2 grade in run defense and a 68.1 grade in pass coverage.
In 2022, PFF gave Malone a 70.8 pass coverage grade.
"He is a great cover guy," Stamps added.
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In addition to his production and experience, Malone also offers the size needed to compete in the SEC. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, the Fresno, CA, product should be able to have some success against some of the bigger wideouts he’ll be matched up against in 2024.
Playing against higher competition shouldn't faze Malone, however, as the standout defensive back has squared off against some of the best players in the country since his high school days.
When asked what games from his high school career stood out to Stamps, the Tigers' head ball coach had an easy answer.
"Central High Game," Stamps said. "He faced big names like Xavier Worthy, Jeremiah Hunter."
This season with the Aztecs, Malone also faced Power 5 competition, as San Diego State took on UCLA and Oregon State in consecutive weeks.
When Malone announced his to transfer to OU, the standout DB cited his desire to play in the SEC as one of the primary factors in his decision.
"It’s the best football you can play at the collegiate level,” Malone said. “I’m confident in my ability. I feel like I can line it up with pros, anybody (in) football, and the SEC is a great opportunity to showcase that."
With Malone, Washington, Williams and Kani Walker all on the Sooners’ roster, Valai will have a handful of experience corners to lean on. This prevents Oklahoma from having to rely on younger defensive backs who don’t have much experience against some of the best offenses in college football.
While players like Makari Vickers, Jasiah Wagoner and Jacobe Johnson showed promise in 2023, the three aforementioned DBs need more time to develop and get acclimated to college football before they take the field as a regular rotation player in the SEC.
Malone's addition not only gives the Sooners solid cornerback depth, but also prevents Valai from throwing a young player into the fire when they may not be ready.
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