DT Kayden McDonald (National Champion)

[billmac91]

I wasn't sure if Kayden would be a 3-down DT bc I was concerned about what he'd bring to the pass rush on 3rd downs primarily. I knew he'd be a monster on 1st and 2nd down based on his play last year.

I was 100% wrong. He can absolutely pass rush and collapse the pocket. My bad.

 

[pnuts34]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[brodybuck21]

Kayden McDonald​

McDonald performed a simple calculus when ripping the ball from the hands of Illinois running back Ca’Lil Valentine. (Wishing the best for Valentine, who suffered a severe knee injury on the play.)

“The running back’s there, little guy, I’m a big guy. I can easily take it away,” McDonald said. “Once I got the opportunity, I just took it.”


It’d take a lot to convince me there’s a better nose guard in college football. McDonald’s production through six games is unbelievable: 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. You just aren’t supposed to post those numbers in the dead center of the line of scrimmage.

Stock Up/Down: Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Kayden McDonald Generate Big Defensive Plays for Buckeyes, Michigan and Penn State Crash Out in Week 7

Stocks are soaring for several Buckeye defenders again after a great win at Illinois, outings that can't be taken for granted given what happened to Penn State and Michigan this weekend.

www.elevenwarriors.com

 

[brodybuck21]

Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs Named AP Midseason First-Team All-Americans​

By Andy Anders on October 16, 2025 at 11:24 am @andyanders55

Five Buckeyes have earned high honors from the Associated Press at the midway point of the college football season.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith were all named first-team AP midseason All-Americans on Thursday. Defensive linemen Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald took home second-team honors.
Reese has emerged as perhaps the best linebacker in college football through six games, and his recognition as a midseason first-teamer is further proof of that. He leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 38 and is second in sacks with 4.5, playing in a variety of spots on the field, including traditional off-ball linebacker, on the edge as a rusher and in the B-gap on the line of scrimmage.
Downs was a unanimous All-American in 2024, and his momentum hasn't slowed in 2025. The engine of Ohio State's defense, Downs has 28 tackles and an interception.
Smith continues to be the best receiver in college football, even if his stats have just been great and not nation-leading in 2025. He's been a major decoy for the Ohio State offense even when he's not getting the ball, freeing up other weapons for big plays. He has 40 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns.

Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald have emerged as the anchors of the Ohio State defensive line at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively. Curry has a team-high six sacks with 31 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss, while McDonald has racked up incredible production for a nose guard with 26 tackles, six TFLs and three sacks.
Ohio State’s five total selections are the most of any school. The Buckeyes tied Texas A&M for the most first-team selections.

Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs Named AP Midseason First-Team All-Americans

The Associated Press named Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith first-team All-Americans, while Kayden McDonald and Caden Curry made the second-team.

www.elevenwarriors.com