Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s 2025 defense continues to reshape the 2026 NFL Draft board, as Kayden McDonald and Arvell Reese both officially declared for the next level after producing dominant, All-American seasons in Columbus. Their departures, while expected, underscore the elite standard of defensive development under Ryan Day and reinforce the Buckeyes’ growing reputation as one of college football’s most reliable pipelines to the NFL.
McDonald’s rise to stardom followed years of patience and persistence. After spending his first two seasons behind Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams, the former Buckeye nose guard exploded onto the national stage in 2025. He finished the year with 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks, becoming the anchor of Ohio State’s interior defense. His impact went far beyond the stat sheet, as he consistently disrupted blocking schemes and collapsed pockets from the middle of the line. His performance earned him unanimous first-team All-American honors and a spot as a finalist for the Outland Trophy, with signature outings that included a two-sack, three-tackle-for-loss performance at Washington.
Now one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2026 draft class, McDonald is widely projected as a first-round selection, potentially making him the second Buckeye defensive tackle taken in the opening round in consecutive years following Williams’ selection by the Detroit Lions in 2025. His exit leaves big shoes to fill in the Buckeyes’ front, with UCF transfer John Walker and rising redshirt sophomore Will Smith Jr. expected to compete for the starting nose guard role in 2026, while Eddrick Houston remains locked in at three-technique. Ohio State is also actively exploring additional help in the portal, hosting Alabama transfer James Smith and preparing for a visit from Pittsburgh defensive tackle Francis Brewu.
Reese’s decision to declare may carry even higher stakes. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker emerged as one of the most dynamic defenders in the nation during his breakout 2025 campaign, collecting 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while serving as the perfect complement to fellow star Sonny Styles. Once a rotational piece early in his career, Reese became the centerpiece of Matt Patricia’s defense, earning Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and All-American recognition from the Associated Press, AFCA and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. His rare blend of size, speed and positional versatility has drawn frequent comparisons to Micah Parsons, and with legitimate top-five draft potential, Reese could become Ohio State’s fifth top-five pick under Ryan Day.
Together, McDonald and Reese join Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate as Buckeyes with remaining eligibility who have now declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, a group that collectively projects to dominate the early portion of the first round when the draft takes place April 23–25 in Pittsburgh. For Ohio State, their departures represent both the cost of sustained excellence and the clearest proof that the program’s championship foundation remains built on elite player development.
