Two Ohio State football players, CJ Donaldson and Tywone Malone, have signed with the New Orleans Saints as undrafted free agents. This move kicks off their NFL journeys and adds some fresh depth to a Saints squad that already looks interesting with Lorenzo Styles, who went at No. 172 in the fifth round.
Donaldson and Malone took pretty different routes to get here. Their signings just keep that Ohio State-to-NFL pipeline rolling.
The Journey of CJ Donaldson
Donaldson’s path to the league? Not exactly your standard story. He spent most of his college years at West Virginia before transferring to Ohio State for his last season.
With the Buckeyes, he made his presence felt—ran for 361 yards and put up 10 touchdowns on 96 carries. Plus, he caught 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
He really showed he could adapt and do a little bit of everything, which has to be appealing for the Saints.
Key Stats
- Rushing Yards: 361
- Touchdowns: 10
- Carries: 96
- Receptions: 15
- Receiving Yards: 96
Tywone Malone’s Defensive Prowess
Malone’s story? Also not exactly straightforward. He started out at Ole Miss and then landed at Ohio State in 2023.
Over three seasons, he managed 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups in 441 snaps. Most of that came in 2025—he really started to click as a player.
His knack for making plays on defense could be a handy boost for the Saints.
Key Stats
- Total Tackles: 39
- Tackles for Loss: 1.5
- Pass Breakups: 2
- Total Snaps: 441
Joining Lorenzo Styles
Donaldson and Malone will now link up with Lorenzo Styles, who the Saints grabbed in the fifth round at No. 172. Styles coming in is part of a bigger push to get young talent on the roster.
Three Ohio State guys on one NFL team? That says something about the Buckeyes’ steady output of pros and the Saints’ plan to keep things competitive.
Why This Matters
So, why does all this matter?
- Depth and Versatility: Both Donaldson and Malone bring different skills, giving the Saints more options.
- Ohio State Pipeline: Yet again, Ohio State is sending solid players to the league—it’s a thing at this point.
- Team Strategy: The Saints seem set on building up a young, energetic team that can hang with anybody.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 NFL season isn’t far off. All eyes will be on how these new faces fit into the Saints’ system and whether they can step up at the pro level.
Upcoming Key Dates
Plenty of big dates are coming up for Ohio State and college football in general:
- Big Ten Media Days: July 28-30, 2026
- Ohio State vs. Ball State (Season Opener): Sept. 5, 2026
- The Game 2026: Nov. 28, 2026
- Big Ten Championship Game: Dec. 5, 2026
- College Football Playoff First Round: Dec. 18-19, 2026
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: Dec. 30, 2026-Jan. 1, 2027
- College Football Playoff Semifinal: Jan. 14-15, 2027
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game: Jan. 25, 2027
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints have signed CJ Donaldson and Tywone Malone as undrafted free agents. That’s a big step for both guys, and honestly, it’s a pretty interesting move for the Saints, too.
Both players made their way from Ohio State to the NFL. It’s another example of how the university keeps turning out talent that gets noticed at the next level.
The Saints seem determined to build something strong and competitive. Will these two carve out a spot and make an impact? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Want to dig deeper? Check out the original article on Cleveland.com.
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