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09-17-24-malachi-hosley-weining-ding
Sophomore running back Malachi Hosley recently announced he will be entering the transfer portal, following the 2024 Penn football season. Credit: Weining Ding

During his time at Penn, sophomore running back Malachi Hosley made electric plays, smashed numerous records, and cemented his status as the “Touchdown Machine”. Hosley made history again as he was named a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year in the 2024 Bushnell Cup, alongside Cornell quarterback Jameson Wang and Harvard wide receiver Cooper Barkate. 

Hosley received the honor thanks to his nine touchdowns and 1,192 rushing yards this season. Averaging 119.2 rushing yards per game, Hosley ranked fourth in the FCS and was the 11th player in the history of Ivy League play to surpass 100 rushing yards per game in a season. His performance as a dominant force on the field was a strong continuation from his freshman season, in which he rushed for 723 yards.

His talents on the field across these two seasons have not gone unnoticed. In his first season, Hosley earned numerous accolades, including five Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards. He smashed the school record for the most rushing yards in a game, with a stunning 261 yards against Cornell. As 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and 2023 Jerry Rice Award Finalist, winning the Bushnell Cup would be another prestigious accomplishment for the Red and Blue’s offensive juggernaut. 

Hosley’s reception of the award was preceded by his sudden announcement to enter the transfer portal. The Quakers held a 2-5 record in Ivy League play this season, ultimately concluding with a loss to Princeton. While Hosley won’t continue playing in Red and Blue, his performance across the past two seasons had a profound impact on the program.