San Diego Strike Force

VJ Malo (6-1, 275, Portland State) joins the Strike Force for his second IFL season after spending time with the Sioux Falls Storm in 2023. In a record-setting junior season at Portland State in 2021, VJ was one of the top players in the Big Sky Conference as he played in all 11 games and recorded 45 tackles, 20 tackles for loss (single-season school FCS record, fifth most in the nation), 10.5 sacks (ranked 11th in the nation), three forced fumbles, and two pass breakups.

Before his time as a Viking, VJ played two seasons at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, earning All-Conference and first-team All-State honors both seasons. In those two years, he recorded 67 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and a blocked kick. He is originally from West Seattle, Washington, and played his prep career at O’Dea High School in Seattle where he was a two-time All-Conference selection at offensive guard and defensive end.

Pronunciation: MAA-low