Kayden McDonald

Player Summary

McDonald is a thickly built DT from OSU, broke out as a 2025 starter after limited 2024 backup duty, posting high interior production (47-65 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles). He dominates run defense with natural leverage, knock-back jolt on contact, excellent recognition, gap penetration, disruption of wide-zone schemes, accurate sheds to defend both gaps, and strong rally/tracking—leveraging rare size-strength-athleticism to recover from poor positions as fundamentals improved late-season. Pass rush shows bull-rush power, active hands, and closing burst but remains underdeveloped: slow hands/power activation, no quick-win moves, limited lateral width/edge threat, and ooze rather than collapse. Vulnerable to displacement (up to 3 yards) by doubles or hip-to-hip blocks when pads rise. McDonald projects as a run-focused even-front nose tackle with starting potential; 1st-round upside if technique refines further.

Highlights & Media