Kayden McDonald, Ohio State Buckeyes, DT - News, Stats, Bio

Next Game

TBA

vs Ball State Cardinals (4-8)

Ohio Stadium

Game Preview

Big Ten Standings

Team	Conf	Overall
IND	9-0	16-0
OHIOST	9-0	12-2
OREG	8-1	13-2
USC	7-2	9-4
MICH	7-2	9-4
IOWA	6-3	9-4
WASH	5-4	9-4
ILL	5-4	9-4
MINN	5-4	8-5
NEB	4-5	7-6
NWEST	4-5	7-6
PSU	3-6	7-6
UCLA	3-6	3-9
RUT	2-7	5-7
WISC	2-7	4-8
MICHST	1-8	4-8
MD	1-8	4-8
PURDUE	0-9	2-10

Now Playing

Link copied!

0:45

2026 NFL Draft Grades: Texans Select Kayden McDonald No. 36
8:44

Breaking Down the AFC South Offseason Checklist
11:13

Biggest Questions Facing the AFC South Post-Draft
1:36

Geico Feel Good Moment: Texans Drafting DL Kayden McDonald In 2nd Round
11:24

Breaking Down Josh Edwards' Day 2 NFL Mock Draft
1:41

Ohio State: Will Smith Jr. or John Walker to Replace McDonald?
1:14

Chance for No DTs Selected in the 1st Round
0:45

2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DT Kayden McDonald
1:01

Expectations For DT Kayden McDonald At Pro Day
6:45

Kayden McDonald NFL Combine Interview
0:50

JUST STOP IT: Ohio State leaves Washington's Demond Williams nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
0:58

CFP Projection: Defending champion Indiana draws Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss in first round
0:55

Brad Crawford's 2026 CFP Projection: Lane Kiffin Leads LSU To CFP, Travel To Ohio State In The First Round
1:02

Brad Crawford's 2026 CFP Projection: Notre Dame Bounces Back, Gets 1st Round Bye In CFP
1:16

Brad Crawford's 2026 CFP Projection: Arch Manning, Texas Capture First SEC Title In Program History
8:57

Top 10 Offensive Prospects For 2027 NFL Draft
1:22

Jeremiah Smith: No. 1 Offensive Prospect for 2027 Draft
0:32

5-Star Recruitment Rundown: WR Monshun Sales
0:35

5-Star Recruitment Rundown: Edge DJ Jacobs
8:51

Chip Patterson's Post-Spring College Football Power Rankings

See All NCAAF Videos

Draft Scouting Report

Pro Comparison: Derrick Nnadi

Summary

With McDonald, what you see is what you get. He is a two-down nose tackle through and through, but an elite one for someone who only just turned 21 years old. To dominate at such a strength-based position at that age is notable. His ability to play with consistent leverage is exceptional on tape and will be no fun to try to block in the NFL.

About

2025: Unanimous All-American; Big Ten DL of the Year
2025: 65 tackles (third-most by FBS DT); 9.0 TFL (led Big Ten DT)

Strengths

Super-stout anchor in the run game; great vs. double teams for a young DT.
Active hands to get off blocks; can win late.
Gets low into contact; can reset the line of scrimmage immediately.

Weaknesses

Not the kind of athlete to offer much more than a little pocket push as a pass rusher.
Can get cut off on wide runs if he doesn’t read it at the snap.
Smaller upper half for a defensive tackle; limits his ability to control defenders.