The Ohio State football program had the best scoring defense in the country in 2025. Unfortunately for them, that didn't lead them to winning a national championship or even a Big Ten title. They lost both of their final games of the season, falling to Indiana and Miami.
That wasn't the fault of the defense, though. The offense failed to score enough points in either game, scoring just 24 points combined. With how well the defense played, the Buckeyes are projected to have several defenders be drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Four of those players could even go in the top ten of the draft. The Ohio State Buckeyes have a fifth player who is widely being mocked as a first-round prospect. After the Senior Bowl, one mock draft has now dropped Kayden McDonald into the second round for some reason.
Ohio State football star Kayden McDonald now mocked to be a second-round draft pick
According to Matt Miller of ESPN, he has McDonald sliding down to the 33rd overall pick in the draft, just outside of the first round. He does not have McDonald as the top defensive tackle in the draft, as many others do. Instead, he has Caleb Banks out of Florida. He cites the Senior Bowl as the main reason.
"Banks missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, but his Senior Bowl performance was well-received by scouts, who saw the explosive play in the trenches that excited them entering the 2025 season."
McDonald was the anchor in the middle of the defensive line of the best scoring defense in the country. He was able to clog up running holes and push the pocket back on passing plays. He should be recognized as a first-round talent when April rolls around.
McDonald will test well when the NFL Combine rolls around. It's unclear if he will perform any of the drills there, as most top-level prospects have now decided to do things at Pro Day instead.