Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald declares for NFL draft

Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald announced he is entering the NFL draft, bypassing his remaining year of eligibility.

"I'm proud to say I played for the greatest university in the world," he wrote in a graphic posted to his social media accounts on Jan. 9. "Scarlet and gray forever."

McDonald emerged as one of the breakout stars on the Buckeyes ’ top-ranked defense in 2025 and was their first defensive tackle since Jim Stillwagon in 1970 to be recognized as a unanimous All-American .

He was also named the Big Ten’s defensive lineman of the year as the Buckeyes swept the league’s defensive individual awards.

The frequent double teams did little to slow down McDonald as he finished with 65 tackles, the most by an Ohio State interior lineman since Johnathan Hankins made 67 tackles in 2011. He also had nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

McDonald took over as the starting nose tackle for Tyleik Williams , who was taken late in the first round by the Detroit Lions last year, after he had been a rotational lineman in previous years.

The Buckeyes began leaning on McDonald in goal line situations in 2024, adding the 6-foot-3, 326-pound tackle to bolster their front.

The declaration will leave the Buckeyes without their two primary starting defensive tackles next season as Tywone Malone Jr. is out of eligibility, though Eddrick Houston also made three starts last year.

McDonald is the Buckeyes' fourth underclassmen to announce intentions to enter the draft this week, following wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese. All four of them could go in the first round.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky , Instagram and X for more.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kayden McDonald declares for 2026 NFL Draft