Caden & Kayden: National Defensive Players of the Week
9/30/2025 1:26:00 PM | Football
Caden & Kayden: National Defensive Players of the Week Duo shares Bronko Nagurski honor; Curry also named PoW by Walter Camp, Bednarik and Big Ten
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A monster game statistically by the Ohio State defense against a Top 5 Washington offense has resulted in national defensive player of the week honors for two Buckeyes: senior DE Caden Curry and junior DT Kayden McDonald.
Ohio State’s defense limited Washington to 234 yards of total offense (302 yards below its average coming into the game) and to just six points (49 points below average) in the 24-6 win that snapped the Huskies national-best 22-game home winning streak and extended Ohio State’s streak to eight consecutive wins.
Curry, from Greenwood, Ind., was most destructive, recording career highs in tackles with 11 and solo tackles with nine while tying the Ohio State single game record with five tackles-for-loss, including three quarterback sacks which rank seventh in school history. He caused 29 lost yards on the afternoon. Curry was unanimously honored this week and recognized as the:
- Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week;
- The Football Writer’s Association Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week;
- The Maxwell Football Club’s Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week;
- The Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week;
- The Senior Bowl’s Defensive Stock Up Player of the Week; and
- The Pro Football Sports Network/College Defensive Player of the Week.
Curry is now No. 1 nationally with 2.0 TFLs per game (and third with 8.0 TFLs) and No. 2 nationally with 1.25 QB sacks per game (and fourth with 5.0 sacks).
K-Mac: Bronko Nagurski National PoW
Kayden McDonald, from Suwanee, Ga., was also honored as the FWAA’s Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week for his big game against the Huskies that included seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss and two quarterback sacks.
McDonald, who is having a terrific season with more than 5.0 tackles per game from his tackle position, is positioned right behind Curry for the team lead with 5.0 TFLs and 3.0 QB sacks on the season.
The No. 1-ranked Buckeyes (4-0) host Minnesota (3-1) on Saturday in their Big Ten home opener. Kick-off is slated for 7:36 p.m. with NBC broadcasting to a national audience.
