Four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — There were little tricks and plenty of treats for Ohio State on the recruiting trail Halloween night: Kayden McDonald has committed to the Buckeyes.
The four-star Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett defensive tackle chose Ohio State over Michigan, Clemson, Florida, Oklahoma and others.
Ohio State was considered the dark-horse candidate for McDonald’s pledge. He only visited Columbus twice, but he did give the Buckeyes one of his five official visits. Kayden McDonald made that official visit on Sept. 24 for the Ohio State win over Wisconsin — when the Buckeyes stuffed the Badgers’ rushing attack.
McDonald’s previous visit was in October 2021.
He took a few visits to other programs that were included in his final five after the Ohio State trip. Oklahoma, Clemson and Florida all received final visits, but the Buckeyes won out in the end.
McDonald is a consensus four-star prospect and the No. 299 overall prospect according to the On3 Consensus. He is also rated as the No. 40 defensive lineman by the consensus.
The 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle is a force on the interior and is a sneaky good land for defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Like all good defensive tackles, McDonald is a run-stuffer but has solid skills as a pass rusher as well.
In his junior season, he had 96 tackles and 20 sacks for North Gwinnett.
McDonald is the 21st member of the Ohio State 2023 class, and he gives the Buckeyes double-digit defensive commits. He joins Will Smith Jr. and Jason Moore in the trenches and linebacker Arvell Reese in the front seven as a whole.
The Buckeyes’ defensive class is rounded out by cornerbacks Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Kayin Lee and Jermaine Mathews Jr. Safeties Malik Hartford, Cedrick Hawkins and Jayden Bonsu are also in the class.
Kayden McDonald gave Ohio State the best Halloween treat Monday night: his commitment.
Follow Lettermen Row for more coverage of Kayden McDonald’s decision to commit to Ohio State.
