Pitt defensive end Chris Maloney placed on scholarship

Pitt defensive end Chris Maloney was placed on scholarship this week ahead of his fourth season with the team. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi announced the news on Thursday morning, saying of Maloney, “He works his tail off. I’m proud of him.”

Maloney was informed that he would be put on an athletic scholarship during a team meeting on Thursday morning. He was called up to the front of the conference room to discuss ways Pitt could improve at the defensive end position, and after he finished listing several aspects of the position to focus on, an image was projected onto the screen behind him that read, “Chris Maloney on scholarship!”

Maloney, a native of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, who attended La Salle College High School, joined Pitt as a walk-on in 2018. Former Pitt center Jimmy Morrissey followed the same path, joining the team as a walk-on from La Salle in 2016. He would become an All-ACC player and an NFL draft pick.

As for Maloney, the 6’2”, 255-pound defensive lineman was a star during his time at La Salle, earning first-team All-Philadelphia Catholic League honors on three occasions. And since coming to Pitt, Maloney has played in four games and saw action against Austin Peay, Georgia Tech and Louisville in 2020.