INDIANAPOLIS - Kayden McDonald, the outgoing Ohio State defensive tackle, kicked off his NFL Scouting Combine experience with early morning medical exams and a media interview session that drew attention from coast to coast.
Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 323 pounds, McDonald has draft experts divided on his potential landing spot. Some see him as a mid-first-round pick, while others project him to go early in the second round.
Hailing from Suwanee, Georgia, McDonald boasts a resume that's hard to ignore. A unanimous All-American and a finalist for the prestigious Outland Trophy, he was also named the Big Ten's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year.
His stats speak volumes: fifth on the team in tackles with 65, fourth in tackles-for-loss with nine, and three sacks to his name. Over his three-year college career, McDonald played in 34 games, starting 14 of them.
Notably, as a sophomore in 2024, he made his mark as a primary backup, recording 19 tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
Despite having another season of eligibility, McDonald opted to declare for the NFL Draft, a decision that underscores his readiness for the next level.
McDonald is one of 11 Ohio State players showcasing their talents at the combine. This impressive group includes notable names like RB C.J. Donaldson, WR Carnell Tate, TE Will Kacmarek, TE Max Klare, DE Caden Curry, LB Arvell Reese, LB Sonny Styles, CB Davison Igbinosun, CB Lorenzo Styles Jr., and SAF Caleb Downs.
Ohio State's draft prospects are generating plenty of buzz, with mock drafts predicting four to five first-round picks for the Buckeyes. Reese, Styles, Downs, and Tate are widely expected to go in the first round, with McDonald also in the conversation for a top spot.
Ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect and the No. 3 defensive lineman by CBSSports.com, McDonald is catching the eye of many scouts. CBSSports.com's Ryan Wilson even has him pegged for a potential move to the Baltimore Ravens with the 14th overall pick, while Athlon Sports sees him as a second-round pick at 38th overall.
Ohio State's contingent is among 319 players invited to the combine, with Texas A&M leading the pack with 13 players, followed by Alabama with 12. Ohio State and LSU are tied for third, each sending 11 players.
Stay tuned for more insights as the combine progresses and the draft picture becomes clearer.