Ohio State Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald Impresses During Buckeyes Pro Day

Columbus, OH — Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald put his power on full display Wednesday, anchoring the interior line through a series of rapid-fire bag drills, board work, and one-on-one pass-rush reps at the Buckeyes’ pro day. The 6-foot-2, 326-pound senior showed the same leverage and heavy hands that helped him lead all FBS defensive tackles with a 91.2 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade last fall.

McDonald, who posted 65 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2025, was measured at 33-inch arms and recorded a 5.15-second 40-yard dash. More importantly for scouts, he flashed quick feet during the short-shuttle circuit and repeatedly reset the line of scrimmage during team drills, a trait that has already earned him a Top-30 visit with the New England Patriots.

Several clubs picking in the back half of Round 1—including the Chicago Bears, who sent area scouts to Columbus—have studied McDonald as a potential plug-and-play run stuffer. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has publicly emphasized adding “hearty football players” over scheme-specific projects, and McDonald’s résumé fits that profile after he logged 30 run stops for the Buckeyes.

With the 2026 NFL Draft less than a month away, Wednesday’s workout solidified McDonald’s standing as one of the class’s most stout interior defenders and a likely Day 2 selection.