Malcolm Koonce Bio
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.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds, Koonce plays on the edge of the Raiders’ defensive line. He has developed into a productive pass rusher since entering the league and remains under contract with Las Vegas.
Early Life and Background
Malcolm Koonce was born on June 6, 1998, in Peekskill, New York. He grew up in the city and attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in nearby White Plains, where he first began his athletic journey in team sports.
Although his primary sport at first was rugby, Koonce switched his focus to football after realizing that the sport could earn him a college scholarship. In 2015, he led Stepinac to a New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association championship, establishing himself as a player to watch in the region.
After graduating from Archbishop Stepinac, Koonce completed a post-graduate year at Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York. That additional season helped him sharpen his football skills and prepared him for the next level of competition.
Path to American Football
Koonce joined the Buffalo Bulls college football program and spent four seasons developing with the Mid-American Conference program. He served primarily as a backup during his first two seasons, learning the defensive end position and adjusting to the speed of college football.
His junior season marked a turning point, as Koonce recorded 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and nine sacks on his way to first-team All-Mid-American Conference recognition. He followed that performance by being named the Defensive MVP of the 2019 Bahamas Bowl after registering two sacks against the Charlotte 49ers.
As a senior, Koonce repeated as a first-team All-MAC selection after recording 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in six games during the MAC’s COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He became only the fourth Buffalo player to be invited to play in the Senior Bowl, signaling his readiness for professional football.
Malcolm Koonce Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Koonce was selected in the third round with the 79th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, who had acquired that pick in a trade that sent Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals. On July 23, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with Las Vegas.
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, and on December 5, he made his NFL debut. Despite taking the field for only seven plays on defense and four on special teams, Koonce recorded a sack of Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke in that game.
Las Vegas Raiders Breakthrough (2023)
Koonce had a breakout year in 2023, playing opposite Maxx Crosby on the Raiders’ defensive line. By Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, he had roughly doubled his playing time under interim head coach Antonio Pierce and recorded more quarterback hits in Weeks 14 through 16 than he had the rest of the season combined.
His best statistical game as a professional came on Christmas Day against division rival Kansas City Chiefs, with the Raiders needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Koonce harassed Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throughout the contest, finishing with career highs of eight pressures and three sacks in a defining performance.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–Present)
Koonce was placed on injured reserve on September 7, 2024, after suffering a knee injury in practice. On September 20, the Raiders announced that the injury would end his 2024 season, cutting short what had been a developing campaign.
On March 11, 2025, Koonce signed a one-year, $12 million contract extension with the Raiders, signaling the franchise’s continued faith in his pass-rushing potential. He is expected to return to the defensive line rotation once healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Koonce’s signature moments is his Christmas Day 2023 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he set career highs with eight pressures and three sacks while disrupting Patrick Mahomes. His first NFL sack came in limited action against Washington in December 2021, and his 2019 Bahamas Bowl MVP award highlighted his college résumé before the draft.
Malcolm Koonce Career Wins
Malcolm Koonce has built his reputation as a pass-rushing defensive end rather than as a stat-sheet leader in victories. His professional win totals are tracked through team outcomes rather than individual accolades, and he has been part of a Raiders defense that has featured Maxx Crosby as its primary star.
Las Vegas Raiders Highlights
With the Las Vegas Raiders, Koonce has continued to develop as a complementary edge rusher alongside Crosby. His most memorable single-game output came against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, and his 2025 contract extension reflects the organization’s belief in his continued growth on the defensive line.
Other Wins & Performances
In college, Koonce led Archbishop Stepinac to a 2015 New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association championship and earned Defensive MVP honors at the 2019 Bahamas Bowl. He was also a two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection at Buffalo in 2019 and 2020.
Malcolm Koonce Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Malcolm Koonce’s parents and family members are limited. He grew up in Peekskill, New York, and has spoken about his New York roots as a foundation for his athletic career.
Personal Life
Malcolm Koonce has kept his personal life largely private, and confirmed details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly available. He continues to focus on his professional career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
2025 Season Performance
Malcolm Koonce enters the 2025 season coming off a knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign in September. His March 2025 one-year, $12 million contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders indicates that the franchise views him as a key part of its defensive line plans going forward.
Once healthy, Koonce is expected to rejoin Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ defensive front as a complementary pass rusher. His 2023 Christmas Day performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded eight pressures and three sacks, provides a benchmark for what the team hopes to see from him on a consistent basis.
The outlook for Koonce in 2025 will depend on his recovery timeline and his ability to stay on the field. If he returns to full strength, he has the opportunity to deliver a productive follow-up to his 2023 breakout and reestablish himself as a reliable contributor on the Raiders’ defense.