Malachi McLean
Malachi McLean
Plays like an extra linebacker near the line. Two head coaches in four seasons, at two different programs. One game to point at: 13 tackles against Air Force — Week 12, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- game log
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Jason Candle
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 2 · StarterR05 · Part-time starter
Part-time starter. Tackle volume for the position in part-time-starter range.
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UConn | 79 | 38 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | -- |
| 2024 | UConn | 44 | 19 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4 | -- | -- |
| 2023 | New Mexico State | 12 | 7 | 3.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2022 | New Mexico State | 19 | 13 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | -- | -- |
| Career | 154 | 77 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 7 | 1 | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 11 · 2025
W 37–34
vs Duke
1 QB HUR · 1 SOLO · 8 TOT
Edged out Duke at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Lives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
UConn
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · UConn
Returning around him
- 1 UConn player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +8 net (53 in / 45 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
UConn · Last season: 9-4 · Talent rank #97 · 2026 recruiting class #110
DNA match
Player DNA
Box Safety
Lives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to CJ Brown’s 2024 season.
Matches CJ on
Differs from CJ on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Kentrell Webb's senior season at Houston (2025).
Matches Kentrell on