Prowling The Roster: #97 Keelan Malone

#97 DL Keelan Malone

Senior, 6'1" 240 lbs.

Santa Monica, CA

2012 Stats: Malone played in 11 games, recording 9 tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted), 3.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks.

Depth Chart Position: Rakim Cox and Antoine Lewis will start at the end positions, but Antoine Lewis has been known to move inside during pass-rushing downs, which is typically when Malone will find his way onto the field. He'll be first in line to start should Cox or Lewis go down.

How He Came To Villanova: Malone attended and was a captain at Santa Monica High School in California (boy we sure do like to find our DE's out west), where he was voted 1st team All-League during his senior season.

Expected Output In 2013: Entering his senior season, Malone will be leaned upon if Villanova's defensive front suffers any injuries. Labeled as a pass rushing specialist, Andy Talley will likely be looking for more output than his career-high 1.5 sacks from a season ago. Part of that is having entrenched starters in front of him, but if 'Nova can shore up the run defense and force the opposition into more passing downs than a year ago, Malone should find himself with more opportunities to chase the QB.