Malcolm Koonce
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Malcolm Koonce
| image = Malcolm Koonce (36986371231) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Koonce with the Buffalo Bulls in 2017
| current_team = Las Vegas Raiders
| number = 51
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|06|06}}
| birth_place = Peekskill, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 250
| high_school = Archbishop Stepinac {{nowrap|(White Plains, New York)}}
| college = Buffalo (2017–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 79
| pastteams =
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2021}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- 2× First-team All-MAC (2019, 2020)
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 55
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 10.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| pfr = KoonMa00
}}
Malcolm Koonce (born June 6, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls and was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Early life
Koonce grew up in Peekskill, New York, and attended Archbishop Stepinac High School. Although his primary sport at first was rugby, he switched his focus to football after realizing that it could earn him a college scholarship. In 2015, he led Stepinac to a New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association championship.{{cite news |last1=Lenzi |first1=Rachel |title=UB's Malcolm Koonce grows into anchor of defensive line |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/ubs-malcolm-koonce-grows-into-anchor-of-defensive-line/article_2bfba29e-455b-11eb-9fa1-bfc03e59e38a.html |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=The Buffalo News |date=December 24, 2020 |language=en}}
After graduating, he completed a post-graduate year at Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/05/malcolm-koonce/|title=2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Malcolm Koonce, DE, University at Buffalo|first=Damond|last=Talbot|date=May 1, 2020}}
College career
Koonce was a member of the Buffalo Bulls for four seasons. He served primarily as a backup for his first two seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/college/former-ub-defensive-end-malcolm-koonce-ready-to-tackle-the-nfl|title=Former UB defensive end Malcolm Koonce ready to tackle the NFL|date=April 24, 2021|website=WKBW}} Koonce was named first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) after recording 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his junior season.{{cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/ubs-malcolm-koonce-grows-into-anchor-of-defensive-line/article_2bfba29e-455b-11eb-9fa1-bfc03e59e38a.html|title=UB's Malcolm Koonce grows into anchor of defensive line|work=The Buffalo News|date=December 24, 2020}} He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2019 Bahamas Bowl after a two sack performance against the Charlotte 49ers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/nfl-draft/30-in-30-ub-defensive-end-malcolm-koonce/|title=30-in-30: UB defensive end Malcolm Koonce|date=April 10, 2021}} Koonce repeated as a first-team All-MAC selection as a senior after recording 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks after playing in six games due to the MAC's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/gm-report/80-prospects-in-80-days-buffalo-edge-malcolm-koonce|title=80 Prospects in 80 Days: Buffalo EDGE Malcolm Koonce|first=Schuyler|last=Callihan|website=Sports Illustrated Carolina Panthers News, Analysis and More|date=April 10, 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/sports/2020/12/10/malcolm-koonce-keeps-things-light-for-red-hot-bulls|title=With Newfound Pressure on Bulls, Koonce Keeps Things Light|website=spectrumlocalnews.com}} He became only the fourth UB player to be invited to play in the Senior Bowl.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 1/4
| weight = 249
| arm span = 33 3/8
| hand span = 9 5/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/malcolm-koonce/32004b4f-4f19-5832-4741-b46b13efc6b2 |title=Malcolm Koonce Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=November 23, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025129&DraftYear=2021 |title=2021 Draft Scout Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 23, 2022}}
}}
=2021=
Koonce was selected in the third round with the 79th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.{{cite web|title=Raiders select Malcolm Koonce with the No. 79 pick|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-select-malcolm-koonce-with-the-no-79-pick|website=Raiders.com|date=April 30, 2021}} The Raiders had received the 79th pick used to select Koonce in a trade that sent Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/ubs-malcolm-koonce-taken-by-las-vegas-raiders-in-3rd-round-of-nfl-draft|title=UB's Malcolm Koonce taken by Las Vegas Raiders in 3rd round of NFL Draft|first=Jenna|last=Callari|website=WKBW.com|date=April 30, 2021|access-date=May 4, 2021}} On July 23, 2021, Koonce signed his four-year rookie contract with Las Vegas.{{Cite web |date=23 July 2021 |title=DE Malcolm Koonce signs rookie deal |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/de-malcolm-koonce-signs-rookie-deal-2021-nfl |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=Raiders.com}}
Koonce was activated for Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers but did not appear in the game. He was next activated before Week 13 following an injury to linebacker Carl Nassib.{{cite news |last1=Damien |first1=Levi |title=Raiders Week 13 inactives vs Washington: Rookie DE Malcolm Koonce could make NFL debut |url=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/05/raiders-week-13-inactives-vs-washington-rookie-de-malcolm-koonce-could-make-nfl-debut/ |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=Raiders Wire |publisher=USA Today |date=5 December 2021}} Koonce made his NFL debut on December 5 and, despite taking the field for only seven plays on defense and four on special teams, recorded a sack of Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke.{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Levi |title=Quick Snap: Josh Jacobs scores lone touchdown in Raiders' last-minute loss |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/quick-snap-josh-jacobs-scores-lone-touchdown-in-raiders-last-minute-loss |access-date=9 December 2021 |publisher=Las Vegas Raiders |date=December 5, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Washington Football Team at Las Vegas Raiders - December 5th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112050rai.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=9 December 2021 |language=en}}
=2023=
Koonce had a break out year in 2023, playing opposite Maxx Crosby on the Raiders defensive line. By Week 14 against Minnesota Vikings, Koonce had roughly doubled his playing time under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Koonce had more quarterback hits in Weeks 14-16 than he had the rest of the season combined.{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Koonce 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KoonMa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
Koonce had his best statistical game as a pro in a Christmas Day matchup against their division rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Koonce harassed Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes all game, finishing with career highs in pressures (8) and sacks (3).https://x.com/nextgenstats/status/1739395197388370170?s=46 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
=2024=
Koonce was placed on injured reserve on September 7, 2024 after suffering a knee injury in practice.{{cite web|title=Raiders sign DE Charles Snowden to active roster, place DE Malcolm Koonce on Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-de-charles-snowden-to-active-roster-malcolm-koonce-injured-reserve|website=Raiders.com|date=September 7, 2024}} On September 20, it was announced that the injury would end Koonce's season.{{cite web | last=Gutierrez | first=Paul | title=Source: Raiders DE Koonce (knee) out for season | website=ESPN.com | date=2024-09-21 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41350556/source-raiders-malcolm-koonce-season-knee-injury | access-date=2024-10-15}}
=2025=
On March 11, 2025, Koonce signed a one-year, $12 million contract extension with the Raiders.{{cite web|title=Raiders sign DE Malcolm Koonce|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-malcolm-koonce-defensive-end-nfl-2025-free-agency-transactions|website=Raiders.com|date=March 11, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.raiders.com/team/players-roster/malcolm-koonce/ Las Vegas Raiders bio]
- [https://ubbulls.com/sports/football/roster/malcolm-koonce/5410 Buffalo Bulls bio]
{{Las Vegas Raiders roster navbox}}
{{Raiders2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koonce, Malcolm}}
Category:Players of American football from Westchester County, New York
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Buffalo Bulls football players
Category:People from Peekskill, New York
Category:Las Vegas Raiders players