Malachi Brown’s father played college football at Marshall University and his uncle played for Ole Miss.
“Malachi always had a football in his hands,” said Torino Brown, Malachi’s father. “His uncle was about 6-foot-5 and Malachi always prayed for height and the other abilities that God has blessed him with. He was always doing drills as a kid and I told him if he kept working, he could be special. He took me seriously and put in the work at a young age.”
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Brown, age 17, is now one of the nation’s elite defensive linemen. He had 62 solo tackles, including 11 tackles for 11 and eight quarterback sacks, at Corbin High School in 2025. He’s a four-star recruit ranked as one of the nation’s top 300 overall players by Rivals Industry Rankings.
He recently committed to Kentucky over offers from Alabama, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana and many others.
“We told Malachi just to keep his eyes open and if he saw what he liked, then go for it,” his father said. “I am not going to play. My wife is not going to play. Coach (Will) Stein and his guys were amazing. He went to practices and made unofficial and official visits. He fell in love with Kentucky.
“Big Blue Nation has been good to him. He will be a better player than I ever was. He will far surpass me with his talent.
Torino Brown played at Marshall with current Corbin coach Luke Salmons, who came to Corbin in 2024 after 13 seasons as head coach at West Virginia’s Cabell Midland High School.
“I played tackle and graduated (from Marshall) in 2004 but a couple of injuries set me back,” Torino Brown said. “I am grateful Malachi played the same position as me. I had a good career but he has had a chance to learn what I didn’t.”
When Salmons got the job at Corbin, Malachi Brown’s family decided to make the move to Kentucky also. Salmons’ son, Mason, is Corbin’s quarterback and completed 113 of 177 passes with just two interceptions for 2,401 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and ran for 503 yards and eight scores.
“I have coached Mason for four years. We were always together and getting ideas off each other. We liked being around each other. I knew they had a great school system here in Corbin, so we made the move his sophomore year and it has been great,” Torino Brown said.
Malachi Brown has one edge over most young athletes — his father is a chef.
“He’s always been much bigger than other kids but I have been able to make sure he has proper nutrition,” Torino Brown said. “We go out to dinner here and there but mainly prepare meals at home. We have eggs, rice and some protein with beef, chicken or turkey. My wife (who is a nurse practitioner) and I prepare different foods for him. He fell in love early with brisket and steaks but his favorite food is chicken tenders. He will pick that over steaks. He has a big appetite. He loves to eat so we make sure he eats the right foods and he understands that.”
Malachi Brown tried other sports when he was young. He played soccer and basketball, the sport his mother wanted him to play.
“He had different abilities and talent but football was always number one with him and basketball was second,” Torino Brown said. “Basketball did help with his footwork and that transitioned to the football field.”
The UK commit has trained with his father three or four times a week for the last year.
“He loves the work. He takes the approach if you want to be the best you have got to train. He’s really taken that to heart,” Torino Brown said. “I think he’s really glad he has made his college choice. Now he can do his workouts, eat the proper food and get in extra training. He can focus on all that and not take a flight or travel (to other schools).
“I told coach Stein he was getting a great player. My high school won a national championship. I know how far sports can take you and what you can accomplish and achieve. Malachi has always said he wanted to go to the NFL. Millions of kids say that. He has taken that to heart and he believes Kentucky is the school that can help develop him to get there.”
Kentucky defensive line coach Anwar Stewart came highly recommended.
“A guy I played with in college played in the Canadian Football League with him. He said he was a tremendous guy who really coaches kids up,” Torino Brown said. “Malachi fell in love with him. He gained relationships with a lot of coaches but coach Stewart means business. We know he can help Malachi get to where he wants to be.”
