It came a day later than he wanted, but Kayden McDonald finally got his hug from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
After announcing all of the 32 first-round draft picks, Goodell usually steps out of the spotlight on the second day of the NFL Draft. He cedes the responsibilities to former and current players who walk the stage to announce the team selections.
Goodell made an exception Friday night for McDonald, the only prospect among those invited to attend the draft festivities who stuck around after going undrafted 24 hours earlier.
“We had a long conversation yesterday,” said McDonald, a 326-pound defensive tackle who was selected with the fourth pick of the second round by the Houston Texans. “He said he wanted me to come back. I told him I will. That shows who I am. That fueled me.”
An emotional Kayden McDonald is picked 36th overall by the @HoustonTexans ????
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/OxC5RoaXXs— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
Of the 17 prospects who accepted invitations to attend the draft in Pittsburgh, only two were not selected in the first round. The other was Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, who opted not to stay for the second day.
McDonald elected to honor the commitment he made to the NFL.
“Yesterday, I had a feeling I might slip a little bit because of how the board fell,” McDonald said. “I’m used to being the underdog.”
Hood, incidentally, went one pick after McDonald, to the New York Giants.
One of five Ohio State players on the invitation list, McDonald watched from the green room as Buckeyes teammates Carnell Tate, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs were taken among the first 11 selections.
All but Downs went in the top seven.
“I’m so happy for Sonny, Carnell, Arvell and Caleb because they worked really hard just like I did,” McDonald said. “I can’t be down because they went before me. At the end of the day, we’ve all got to play football. That’s all that matters.”
While that quartet of first-round picks headed off to meet with their new teams, McDonald spent a second day in Pittsburgh.
“I was really catching up, manifesting my name being called,” he said. “Sometimes things aren’t going to go your way. … I went through things. This doesn’t faze me at all because I’m here.”
McDonald watched three other players get picked in the second round before his name was called. Joining Goodell on the stage was former Texans tight end Billy Miller.
McDonald’s eyes welled with emotion when his name was called. He hugged family members in the green room before making the long stroll to the draft stage. He broke down and covered his eyes upon being greeted by Goodell.
“I’m just so blessed and thankful,” McDonald said immediately after he exited the stage. “I’m just so emotional. Where I came from, now I’m here, it’s a blessing.”
A four-star defensive lineman from Georgia, where he played against Downs, McDonald reunited with his high school rival at Ohio State. McDonald played all 16 games as a reserve in 2024 when the Buckeyes won the national championship.
He blossomed as a junior in 2025, becoming a first-team All-American after making 65 tackles, including nine for a loss, in 14 starts. He also had three sacks and forced two fumbles.
Perhaps fittingly, McDonald also was greeted on the draft stage by Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. Also a former Buckeyes defensive lineman, Heyward was the No. 31 overall pick in 2011. It was a passing of the torch moment.
“There’s no drop-off,” McDonald said. “It’s competing at a high level. I’m up to the challenge and ready to work.”