Kevin Malast and Glenn Carson have a couple of things in common. They both played high school football in Ocean County and are middle linebackers bidding to make their marks on a higher level this fall. However their paths to where they are now are quite different.
While he was a three-sport standout at Manchester Township High School Malast flew under the radar a bit playing for a program that struggled for respect. His talents took him to Rutgers University where he was a two-year starter and team captain as a senior when he was one of the leading tacklers in the Big East. Malast signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in the spring of 2009 and was waived just before the season opener. The Bears later signed him to their practice squad and another free agent contract but again he was waived a week before the 2010 season was to begin. However the youngest of three football-playing brothers did not give up on his dream of playing in the NFL and this past January Malast was signed by the Tennessee Titans. He is listed as the third-string middle linebacker and has made five tackles in their first two pre-season games. While he might be a long shot to make the team the 25-year old still has time to prove that he belongs in the pros.
Carson was a celebrated athlete at Southern Regional High School where he keyed a football revival and also won a state wrestling championship. Highly recruited he eventually chose Penn State and its reputation as “Linebacker U” over Rutgers
and after some early bumps in the road the path has gotten a lot smoother. Carson saw action last season as a red-shirt freshman, mostly on special teams but this spring and summer has really raised his level of play. The ex-Ram progressed so quickly that the Nittany Lions moved starting middle linebacker Mike Mauti to the outside in order to open up the inside for Carson. As things stand now #40 will be in the starting lineup when Penn State opens its season on September 3rd against Indiana State. With three years of eligibility remaining the Manahawkin resident has a golden opportunity to add to the school’s reputation for producing linebackers and he might become the second family member to play in the NFL.
Carson’s grandfather Tom Higgins was an offensive lineman who spent three seasons with the Eagles & Chicago Cardinals in the mid 50’s.
Kevin Malast and Glenn Carson have both achieved great success on the football field and here’s hoping for both that the best still lies ahead.
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