Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive end, pauses comeback push to run a kids camp

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• The 27-year-old former Peekskill resident is back with the Las Vegas Raiders while coming back from a torn ACL.
• Koonce helped lead undefeated Archbishop Stepinac to a state championship in 2015, then went to prep school, then starred at U. of Buffalo.
• Koonce, a third-round pick in 2021, had 32 tackles and eight sacks for the Raiders in 2023.

After missing all of last season with a knee injury, Malcolm Koonce took a moment away from his ongoing comeback to spend five hours getting the next generation up to speed.

The 27-year-old Las Vegas Raiders defensive end returned to Archbishop Stepinac for the second year in a row on Saturday to host a free camp for 200 local kids. It’s a chance for the Peekskill native to reconnect and recharge. It’s an opportunity to show kids where the right approach to sports can lead.

Members of the school’s varsity team helped run the camp.

“Usually, I try to come back as much as I can,” he said. “This year, with rehab and stuff I didn’t get to come back as much as I want, but usually every chance I try to come back home.”

Koonce helped the undefeated Crusaders win a state championship in 2015 then did a year of prep school before starring at the University of Buffalo. He was taken in the third round of the 2021 draft by the Raiders and worked his way up the depth chart. Koonce became an impact player during the 2023 season, finishing with 32 tackles and eight sacks. He tore his ACL before the season-opener last year and missed the entire season.

The free agent elected to stay put and bookend Raiders all-pro Maxx Crosby, signing a 1-year deal for $12 million, according to the Associated Press.