NFL made a classy move with a former Ohio State football star after the Buckeye was hit with some tough news
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald probably deserved better than what happened on Thursday night, but the former Buckeye should get some good news on Friday.
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a special first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and it only took 11 picks to do so.
Ohio State became the first college program to produce four draft picks through the first 11 selections since 1967. Carnell Tate landed with the Tennessee Titans, then Arvell Reese went to the New York Giants, and Sonny Styles was taken by the Washington Commanders.
The Dallas Cowboys traded up to No. 11 overall to take Caleb Downs, giving the Buckeyes their fourth first-round pick. However, there was one former Ohio State starter who was expected to be selected in the first round.
The NFL may regret its Kayden McDonald decision in the first round
Here at A to Z Sports, we had Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald rated as the No. 23 prospect in the draft. Caleb Banks joined the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 overall and Peter Woods went to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 29. It was a surprise McDonald didn’t go in the first round, but the good news is he’ll hear his name early on Day 2 of the draft.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell paid a visit to McDonald after he wasn’t selected in the first round and invited him back on the second night to walk across the stage. A nice gesture by the league’s head man after a tough development for McDonald.
McDonald only had one season as a full-time starter in Columbus and he was a force at nose tackle. In 2025, McDonald racked up 65 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and three sacks as an inside plug for the Buckeyes. The former Buckeye had to wait his turn at Ohio State to be a starter, but once he was it was clear he was an early NFL talent.
Ohio State should have multiple players selected on Day 2 and McDonald will be one of those. Expect to hear names like TE Max Klare and CB Davison Igbinosun come off the board to join the Buckeyes already drafted.
