Kayden McDonald

NFL Draft Profile: Kayden McDonald

Position: Defensive Line (NT/DT) | School: Ohio State | Class: Junior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 326 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Kayden McDonald established himself as a dominant force in the interior for Ohio State, embodying the classic "nose tackle" role with a modern athletic twist. After a rotational 2023 and a high-impact 2024 (where he appeared in all 16 games for the National Champions), his 2025 campaign was a breakout masterpiece. He transitioned from a "space eater" to a "production machine," finishing as an Outland Trophy Semifinalist and earning consensus All-American honors. His high school background as a prolific running back (77 carries, 11 TDs as a senior) translates to the field via rare foot quickness for a 325+ lb man.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 36 (13 Starts in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 77 (57 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 10.5 (8.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 3.0 (All in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 2

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Akron	3 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A-	Dominant season opener; showed improved pass-rush burst.
Western Michigan	4 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	B+	Physically overwhelmed the interior; constant backfield presence.
Marshall	5 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A	Controlled the A-gaps; displayed elite leg drive on the sack.
@ Michigan St.	9 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	A+	Career-high tackle count; a brick wall in the run game.
@ Iowa	3 Tackles	B	Standard Iowa slugfest; played technically sound against double teams.
@ Oregon	1 Tackle	C+	Struggled with Oregon's pace and lateral stretch runs.
Nebraska	4 Tackles	B-	High effort but inconsistent pad level led to a few lost reps.
@ Penn St.	8 Tackles, 1.5 TFL	A	Massive performance in a top-5 matchup; clutch 4th quarter stops.
Purdue	2 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	B	Efficient limited snaps in a blowout victory.
@ Northwestern	6 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	B+	Reliably shut down the middle; high motor in pursuit.
Indiana	3 Tackles, 1 FF	A-	Game-changing forced fumble; elite strength to strip the ball.
@ Michigan	5 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A	"The Game" standout; collapsed the pocket on crucial 3rd downs.
No. 10 Oregon (B1G CC)	4 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	B+	Much improved over the first matchup; anchored the goal-line defense.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Incredible Anchor: At 326 lbs, he is nearly impossible to move with a single block. His low center of gravity makes him a nightmare in short-yardage situations.

• Volume Production: For a nose tackle, recording 57 tackles in a season is elite. It proves his Play Recognition is advanced; he doesn't just eat blocks, he finds the ball.

• Contact Balance: Shows the ability to "skinny" through gaps despite his width. His Agility is top-tier for a 0-tech, allowing him to redirect and make tackles in pursuit.

• Heavy Hands: Strikes with massive force. His club-swim move is violent and effective at resetting the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses

• Pass Rush Polish: While he has 3 sacks, they often come from "effort" or collapsing the pocket rather than a refined set of moves. He lacks a consistent counter when his initial bull rush is stalled.

• Length/Height: At 6'3" with average arm length, longer NFL centers may be able to get their hands inside his frame if he doesn't win the initial hand battle.

• Stamina in Space: While he has a high motor, he is a "short-area" disruptor. He can be exploited by elite speed in an up-tempo, sideline-to-sideline attack.

Scheme Fit: Ideal as a 0 or 1-Technique in a 3-4 defense or a heavy 4-3 "Under" front.

NFL Comparison: Casey Hampton / Dexter Lawrence (Style-wise)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 18/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 15/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 87/100

Kayden McDonald is arguably the safest defensive prospect in the 2026 class. While he lacks the "flashy" sack numbers of an edge rusher, his value as a run-stopper is irreplaceable. In an NFL era that is trending toward smaller, faster defenses, McDonald is the necessary "corrector" who forces teams to play honest. He is the heartbeat of the interior and a Day 1 starter for any team needing to fix a bottom-tier run defense.

Draft Projection: Late 1st Round / Early 2nd Round