Kayden McDonald

Position:
Defensive Line
Height:
6-3
Weight:
326
Hometown:
Suwanee, Ga.
Last School:
North Gwinnett
Year:
Junior

Follow on Social Media
Instagram: @kmac_dt
Twitter: @kmac_dt

Ohio State Overview
• Kayden is in his third season with the program, has two seasons of eligibility and is positioned to be an anchor along the defensive line at tackle in 2025
• He has played in 23 games the past two seasons, including all 16 games in 2024 for the CFP national champions
• He recorded 16 tackles in 2025, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss
• Also was credited with one pass break-up and one quarterback hurry
• He played in seven games for the Buckeyes in 2023, at defensive tackle and as a fullback in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl
• He was in on one tackle, a tackle-for-loss and a pass break up
• He is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and an Academic all-Big Ten Conference honoree who is majoring in communications
• Off the field, Kayden has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and will serve as an ambassador in support of the charities' mission

Honors & Awards
2024: OSU Scholar-Athlete, Academic all-Big Ten Conference
2023: OSU Scholar-Athlete

More on Kayden
• Kayden was a part of the 2023 class of Ohio State recruits
• He joined the team in June of 2023
• A four-star prospect and top 25-ranked player in the state of Georgia
• No. 12-ranked defensive tackle in the nation
• Had 68 tackles in 12 games as a senior at North Gwinnett under coach Bill Stewart, with 13.0 sacks and 40.0 tackles-for-loss
• Was just as productive as a junior, amassing 95 total tackles in 12 games with 58.0 TFLs and 19.0 sacks
• Had seven sacks in a first round 7A playoff game and 14 sacks in a three-game span during the regular season
• Career totals include 234 tackles, school-record totals of 46.0 sacks and 131.0 tackles for loss in 40 games
• Had 77 carries on offense for 409 yards and 11 touchdowns during his senior season
• Honors include Gwinnett Daily Post defensive player of the year, all-region and Georgia High School Association all-state
• High school teammate of current Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock
• He is the son of Kristi Green
• An older brother, Jayden, is a linebacker at Troy, and also has a sister, Justice