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NFL Draft 2026: Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald more than just a nose tackle
TL;DR
Ohio State's Kayden McDonald is a standout defensive tackle projected to be drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2026. Known for his impressive stats, including 65 tackles and 3 sacks, he combines strength with playmaking ability.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. Ohio State won 42-3. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On her latest Making Monsters podcast, Taylor Doll is joined by Dan Hope, who covers Ohio State football as the lead editor at Eleven Warriors. They discuss some of the top Buckeyes prospects, including defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, cornerback Davison Igbinosun, and EDGE Caden Curry.
McDonald has been one of the more frequent players mocked to the Chicago Bears this offseason, and while the big nose tackle (6’2”, 326) is more known as a run stuffer than a pass rusher, he has the motor and athletic profile to get better at attacking the quarterback. He was an unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year while racking up 65 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 forced fumbles.
“Sixty-five tackles for a nose tackle. That’s unheard of. You almost never see that,” Hope said in his interview. “So, I think that speaks to the kind of player he is, where he is that guy [that] can take on a double team, he can own the line, but he’s also not just a guy who’s going to sit there and plug the gap. He’s a guy who’s going to go and make plays, too, and when you have a guy who is as strong and powerful as he is, but is also going and actually making plays and creating that disruption by himself, that’s a really valuable guy to have.”
Give Taylor’s show a listen in either of the embeds below, and let us know if you’d like to see any Buckeyes end up in Chicago.
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Here’s Taylor’s full schedule for her NFL Draft series.
Q&A
What are Kayden McDonald's key statistics from the 2025 college football season?
Kayden McDonald recorded 65 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 forced fumbles during the 2025 season.
Why is Kayden McDonald considered a valuable player for NFL teams?
McDonald is valued for his ability to take on double teams, own the line, and make disruptive plays, making him more than just a traditional nose tackle.
Which NFL team is most likely to draft Kayden McDonald in 2026?
Kayden McDonald has frequently been mocked to the Chicago Bears as a potential draft pick for 2026.
