Tyrone Malone had an interest to play collegiate football but no idea where. He found his destination on the internet.

Malone, a recently graduated senior at St. James High School, has signed to play football at Dakota Wesleyan University, a member of the NAIA located in Mitchell, S.D. and a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Malone stumbled across Dakota Wesleyan on-line, corresponded with them and the its coaching staff liked what it saw.

A standout offensive guard for STJ this past season, Malone has been recruited as a guard by Dakota Wesleyan as well.

As a senior for the St. James Tiger football squad in 2025, Malone earned All-Four Rivers Conference and coaches’ and media all-district honors.

“I was on some recruiting apps,” Malone said of finding Dakota Wesleyan. “They found me and I emailed one of their coaches.”

“I always felt like NAIA or Division III would be a good fit for him,” St. James head coach Dusty Craft said of Malone. “I think he is a guard at that level. He was a guard for us. He didn’t play as a sophomore but came and played junior varsity and later varsity as a junior. As a senior he was one of our most improved players. He really turned some heads; a lot of coaches were talking about him. He’s very physical and not afraid to be a typical offensive lineman - not afraid to be physical and nasty in the trenches.”

Malone (5-10, 252) said he plans on improving his strength and conditioning before reporting to Dakota Wesleyan camp.

“I will probably hit the weight room a lot more in the summer,” he said.

Malone said he will possibly be a business major in college.

Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers finished 4-7 overall and 3-7 in the GPAC.