WVU OL Nick Malone Details Unique Story That Almost Led Him to Pitt

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Pittsburgh area athletes have been taking their talents down south to WVU for years, but the reverse isn’t nearly as common. Morgantown, W.Va. native Nick Malone almost did the unthinkable – go from being born a Mountaineer to becoming a Pitt Panther.

The 6-foot-5, 298-pound redshirt senior offensive lineman talked about his unique story as his West Virginia team prepares for another brawl with their rival up north.

After admitting he verbally committed to Pitt out of Morgantown High School, Malone was asked if he felt any trepidation about deciding to become a Panther at that time. Malone shrugged, but then went into how everything happens for a reason and his plan B of attending WVU has worked out pretty well.

WVU OL Nick Malone says the Backyard Brawl means a lot him, especially since he verbally committed to Pitt at one point.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) September 9, 2024

“I think I’m doing pretty well where I’m at,” said Malone.

Even though Malone almost joined the other side of the Backyard Brawl rivalry, he grew up surrounded by a healthy hatred for the Panthers since birth.

“I think it’s the collective of West Virginia hates Pitt, but I kinda just…we don’t like each other is what you could say.”

This year’s Brawl will also be different than the prior two he’s experienced. Malone is now a starter and more is excepted from him this season than was to this point in his college career.

“I think mentally it’s a little different, but I kinda take it to last year and you had to stay ready no matter what,” explained Malone about how playing so much as a backup prepared him for becoming a starter in 2024. After being primarily used on special teams in 2022, Malone was used on 390 offensive snaps in 2023.

On Saturday, Malone will travel to Pittsburgh as a member of the West Virginia Mountaineers to take on the Pitt Panthers in the 2024 Backyard Brawl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN2.

West Virginia opened as a slight favorite over Pitt despite being on the road.

Watch Malone’s full press conference on the WV Sports Now YouTube channel below.

For a related story, WVU’s secondary was exposed by Albany in West Virginia’s 49-14 win.