Watch: New star DL Kayden McDonald overwhelmed with joy by draft call from Texans

Kayden McDonald is ready to make the Houston Texans' defense even scarier in 2026.

After trading up two spots in the second round, the Texans shored up their defensive trenches and picked the Ohio State nose tackle at pick No. 36. The 6-foot-2 McDonald was considered to be the best run-defending defensive tackel in the draft and a fan favorite to land with the Texans since the start of the offseason.

A native of Texarkana who later moved to Georgia, McDonald might not fit the typical mold of what DeMeco Ryans has historically searched for in defensive tackles, but perhaps that's promising since variety could only bolster the defensive front. More than anything, the Texans need productive players.

Enter McDonald, who was the anchor to one of college football's best run defenses last season under longtime NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. A 326-pound wrecking machine, McDonald was an anchor of the No. 3 run defense in college football. He totaled 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his final season at Ohio State

Knowing how much of an impact he'll make for his defense, perhaps that's why head coach DeMeco Ryans was elated to get him on the crew after considering him on Day 1, as captured on his introductory phone call.

"You're going to impact our team in a big way," Ryans told the All-American defender.

As expected, McDonald, who was the final person selected in the green room on Friday evening, couldn't wait to embrace the fans in attendance in Pittsburgh.

The Texans made eight picks, including four on offense and two on the offensive line.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: DL Kayden McDonald overwhelmed by draft call from DeMeco Ryans