Malachi Wood

2024 – r-Freshman • Named to SEC All-Freshman Football Team • Saw action in 11 of UK’s 12 games, starting the final five games • Earned his first career start vs. Auburn and also started vs. Tennessee, Murray State, Texas and Louisville • Totaled 25 blocks at the point of attack and seven knockdown blocks • Had only one missed assignment in 11 games 2023 – Freshman • Mid-year enrollee High School • Consensus three-star prospect • The 10th-ranked player in Kentucky by 247sports • Named 2022 WBON-TV’s Co-Player of the Year in Kentucky • A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for head coach Mike Holcomb • Helped Madison Central to the KHSAA Class 6A Regional Championship Game and a 9-4 record in 2022 • As a senior, supported an offense that had 452 carries for 3,026 yards and 30 touchdowns and 81 pass completions for 1,328 yards and 20 touchdowns • Also saw some time on defense, making 29 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss • Played varsity basketball • Chose Kentucky over Kansas, Louisville, Purdue and West Virginia among others Community Cats • Volunteered with My New Kentucky Home (2023) • Volunteered to help a group of little league football players (2023) Personal • Born in Richmond, Kentucky • Son of Pamela Wood • Grandfather, Michael Wood, was an offensive guard at the University of Cincinnati from 1979-81 • Major is communication Malachi Says • His nickname is “Big Mal” • He chose Kentucky because it’s home • After football, his dream job is to be an astronaut • The person he admires most is his mom • If he had to eat only one meal the rest of his life he would choose steak and potatoes