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Todd McShay

Find the most comprehensive analysis on [Player Name], featuring Todd McShay’s evaluations. Official measurables, advanced analytics, and a scout’s eye provide the most in-depth breakdown of a prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, NFL draft projection, and potential at the next level.

Interior Defensive Linemen

Kayden McDonald

Grade89 /100
Pos Rank2
OVR Rank33
School
OSU

Experience

Played34
Started14

POSITION STATS LAST SEASON

Tackles
65
Sacks
3
TFL
9
FF
2
PBU
1
Todd McShay

Position-Specific Grades

COMBINE RESULTS

Height
6' 2 1/8"
Weight
326lbs
Todd McShay
ARM
32 1/4"
HAND
9 3/4"

The Takeaway

The Player

McDonald is an outstanding run defender and a deceptively disruptive pass rusher. He’s a scheme-versatile nose tackle who locates the ball, gets off blocks, and wraps up. He has the size, strength, and low center of gravity to hold his ground when he plays with good pad level, but he doesn’t just take up space and clog the middle. He’s quick for his size and slips blocks—he had 65 tackles last season (fifth best at Ohio State), including nine TFL. He didn’t run at the combine, and he doesn’t have great range, but he chases with good effort. 

He’s a better run defender than pass rusher, but he had three sacks in 2025, and he can affect the quarterback. He’s a powerful bull rusher who can push the pocket and get off blocks at the top of his rush. He flashes the ability to win with his hands. He doesn’t gear down when he gets doubled and doesn’t always win with his first move. His arms are short, but he gets his hands up when he isn’t going to reach the quarterback.

He’s quicker than he is fast, and he’s tight in space, which hinders his ability to finish as a pass rusher. He plays high and gives up ground on occasion. He’s an ascending player coming off a breakout junior season in 2025, when he was named a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. 

The Draft 

McDonald is one of the top defensive tackles and one of the top 50 overall prospects in this class. He is one of five Ohio State players who could get drafted in the first round. Five Ohio State players haven’t been drafted in the first round since 2016. 

The Projection 

McDonald is a day-one starter with Pro Bowl potential, and Kenny Clark is an interesting comp. Their frames are different, but both get off blocks and make plays despite having short arms. Clark had 75 tackles and 11 TFL in his final year at UCLA.