60 in 60: #36 Utah’s Malone Mataele (Cornerback)
Jul 14, 2022, 1:42 PM | Updated: 1:44 pm
University of Utah defensive back Malone Mataele during fall camp. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for Hans & Scotty’s 60 in 60 is on. Coming in at #36 is Utah’s Malone Mataele (CB).
Throughout the summer Hans & Scotty are counting down the top 60 college football players in the state of Utah as voted on by the media (and a fan ballot).
“Malone Mataele played the nickel position for us all of last season,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said of his cornerback. “Has some improvement that still needs to take place but he is on the right trajectory and he’s a hard worker. The nickel position is a key in our defense and he’s gotta play at a high level in order for us to be successful.”
#36 in our 60in60 is Mr. Discipline Malone Mataele. This guy is exactly what I look for in a corner/athlete. Utah doesn’t miss on this position and will be loaded and ready on the outside.
I loved this play he made in the Championship game. pic.twitter.com/b2VL9YL7R7
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 14, 2022
Utah’s Malone Mataele
Matele is a junior from Placentia, California.
He joined the Utes in 2018 as a three-star recruit from Santa Margarita High School. After using his redshirt as a freshman in 2018, Mataele played in eight games, including four on defense in 2019, finishing with four tackles.
As a sophomore in 2020, Mataele played in four games with two starts at nickel, recording five tackles and three passes defended.
This past season, Mataele played in 11 games with five starts. He finished the year with 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception and two pass breakups. His first career interception came in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon.
This fall, the Utes will open their 2022 schedule on the road against the Florida Gators. The Utes and Gators will play on September 3. Utah’s first home game is against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on September 10.
About the 60 in 60
Every summer Hans and Scotty reveal the best college football players in the state of Utah in their annual 60 in 60 as voted on by the media.
In 2022, for the first time ever, the 60 in 60 included one vote based on a fan ballot.
