The four-star Class of 2022 defensive end/linebacker from Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, Calif., picked up his latest offer Friday from the Vols, and he admitted "it was a surprise" and "a big deal to me." It was his second SEC offer and his sixth offer overall, and he said he's already hoping to make the cross-country trip to Tennessee at some point to visit the Vols.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Malaki-Donaldson said he "was excited" to learn of the offer "because they are one of the top schools in the nation with a lot of rich history in football."
First-year Tennessee outside linebackers coach
Shelton Felton gave him the news. "They liked my size, speed and athleticism," said Malaki-Donaldson, who's ranked by 247Sports as the No. 14 weakside defensive end in the 2022 class and the No. 30 rising junior from the state of California.
"To have the opportunity to play in the same stadium that Reggie White and
Peyton Manning played in would be a dream come true."
While the Vols have yet to discuss their specific plans for him on the field, he said he's "assuming" they're recruiting him to play outside linebacker since Felton extended the offer to him. Malaki-Donaldson said he has never been to Tennessee's campus, but he's "looking forward to visiting after the pandemic is over," referring to the ongoing dead period for recruiting and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I would like to visit the University of Tennessee, along with the other schools who have already offered me and many more," said Malaki-Donaldson, who also holds early offers from Florida State, LSU, Colorado, Kansas and Florida Atlantic.
