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2023 Georgia Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald Commits To Ohio State

The Buckeyes secured a commitment from one of the nation's most sought-after defensive linemen.

Andrew Lind

In this story:

Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald committed to Ohio State on Monday evening over finalists Clemson, Florida, Michigan and Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-3 and 310-pound McDonald, who is considered the 40th-best defensive lineman and No. 293 prospect overall in the class of 2023, picked up an offer from the Buckeyes back in Sept. 2021.

He then made his way to campus for the first time that fall, as he attended the 33-24 win over Penn State, which allowed him spend time with head coach Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

After including Ohio State in his top 10 over the summer, McDonald set an official visit for the 52-21 win over Wisconsin on Sept. 24. That gave him an opportunity to see defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense in action.

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McDonald also took official visits with the Gators in June, Wolverines in September and Sooners and Tigers the last two weekends, but an in-school visit from Day on the Buckeyes' off week ultimately sealed the deal.

He now becomes the 21st member of Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class, joining Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic four-star Jason Moore and Dublin (Ohio) Coffman four-star Will Smith Jr. along the defensive line.

The Buckeyes are looking to take two more edge rushers to round out the hall, with Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep five-star Keon Keeley; Venice, Fla., five-star Damon Wilson; and Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco five-star Matayo Uiagalelei as the top remaining targets.

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Andrew Lind
ANDREW LIND

Andrew Lind is an Ohio State beat writer and photographer at BuckeyesNow, founder of The Ohio State Uniform Database and the NCAA and NFL writer at SportsLogos.net.

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