Interview: 4-Star 2023 Georgia DT Kayden McDonald is as Dominating as It Gets
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are very good high school football players, the elite, and the rare few in a class all their own. Kayden McDonald is in that rarefied air apart from his peer group. The 6-3, 325-pound, defensive lineman looks like a seasoned NFL veteran taking on offensive linemen. At the snap of the ball his explosion and reaction time is stuff of Olympic sprinters and his strength is off the charts. Scary thing for Georgia offenses, the North Gwinnett four-star talent is just entering his junior season.
The dominating ways for McDonald was widely recognized at the conclusion of the 2020 season. McDonald took home 7A Gwinnet County Defensive Lineman of the Year and Georgia All-State honors after breaking the school’s tackle for loss record (35). With the ability to end every play in the opposition’s backfield, college programs started their own brand of recognition in the form of offers being extended.
In an RNG first-look interview, McDonald takes inside his offseason workouts as he prepares to dictate the action in the trenches again this fall with an update on his impressive recruiting process.
Interview
Kayden, it is just another day in the trenches for you on a Friday night, but you dominate the line in a way that is rarely seen. Come game time, what motivates you to play at such a high level?
I’d say my head coach, he talks to me telling me, “You have to be the best on the field” and “No one can stop you.” My brother too. He won a state championship there. I want to carry on his legacy. Self-motivation too. I have worked hard, that’s what makes me go on Friday night and be locked in.
Your leg strength holding your spot and upper body strength getting extension with your arms pushing offensive linemen back immediately jumps off your game film. What are some of the lifts you do in the weight room to enhance your skills on the field?
The big things like power cleans, squats, bench, kettle bell swing, rows, curls, and 40-40s. The way I get off the ball, our coaches make us do that. I do agility work, flip tires, footwork, and resistant band runs. That’s why my game is the way it is.
What are your weight room maxes?
My squat is 600, bench is 340, and 305 clean.
Those numbers are very impressive.
Thank you.
From shedding blocks to your explosion off the snap, you make plays happen in the backfield. What do you feel are some of the other strengths to your game?
I have the IQ. I know where the ball will go. Seeing the offensive lineman before the play, I can see a pull or pass block coming. I have a high IQ for the game – very high. I know football.
Which areas of your game have you worked on this spring and summer?
My hands, using my hands more and shooting my hands, and footwork. Hands and feet.
The coaches so much love your quickness off the snap and overall athletic ability that they gave you a couple of carries out of the backfield producing a short yardage touchdown. Will you terrorize opposing Georgia defenses again this year as a power back?
Yes, sir. In the first game against Hoover. I did drop a pick-six for a touchdown. I will be back in the backfield again this season.
Are you excited about getting to carry the rock again this season?
Yes, sir.
Are you doing anything differently in the defensive trenches this fall?
You might see me at defensive end. It depends on the player we are going against. If they have a very good offensive tackle, you might see me playing end. I lined up at linebacker some last year, I don’t think I will do that anymore. This season I will be everywhere on the defensive line. I am able to play everywhere because of my quickness.
Agreed. And because of your strength. Let’s get into your camp season. Did you compete at any national camps this spring or summer?
Yes, I went to the Under Armour camp in North Carolina. I couldn’t make the Rivals camp.
If you will, tell me about your performance at the Under Armour camp.
It went very well. Coach O’Neil (UA coach), he was my old trainer before moving to Florida, was one of the coaches there. I had a very good camp. It was an honor to be there with the top players in the nation. It was cool to work with one of my old trainers again.
Have you competed at any college camps?
Yes, I went to Georgia. I did great at that camp. Me and Coach (Tray) Scott (DL) talked afterwards about how well I did.
Very cool. How did you do in the one on ones at Georgia?
I was 5 for 5. I was unlockable.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which programs are showing interest this summer?
Ohio State, Clemson, Florida, and Alabama.
How many offers do you have now?
I have nine offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
UCF, Louisville, and Troy.
McDonald’s Offer Sheet: Central Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan State, NC State, Tennessee, Troy, and Wisconsin
Which programs did you get to visit this summer?
My first was at NC State, then I went to Georgia and camped. After that, I went up north to visit Michigan State and Wisconsin.
The Georgia camp went well, what did you do during the visit?
I toured the facilities. It was beautiful. I saw the nutrition area, their locker room, and talked to some of the players. They took me onto the main field too. I saw all the cool stuff there. I talked to Coach (Kirby) Smart (head coach) too. They said they really want me there. They were impressed by my reps. Coach (Will) Muschamp (defensive analyst) said I did very well at the camp.
And the Wisconsin visit, how did that go?
It blew my mind. They have a first class their program. My relationship with defensive line coach is tight. They were welcoming and the campus was beautiful; it was a great experience. I will be back to Wisconsin. Plus, they have custard ice cream, which is one of my favorites.
With that, which school might you visit this summer or in the fall?
This fall I am planning on visiting Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, and NC State.
Kayden, I enjoyed covering all this ground with you today. Wishing you the best of luck continuing your preparations for the 2021 season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: McDonald family; Kayden McDonald