What happened to Kayden McDonald? Why Ohio State star wasn't drafted despite being in NFL Draft green room originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Kayden McDonald was invited to the green room in Pittsburgh for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Usually, the league only invites players they expect to be picked, because the second and third rounds aren't until the following day. But on Thursday night, the Ohio State defensive lineman wasn't drafted.

That meant he waited all night only not to hear this name called in the first 32 picks.

It's certainly an unfortunate break for McDonald.

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McDonald was a bit of a borderline first-round candidate and ended up simply not being chosen. It's just the way the draft board worked out.

He's expected to be back in Pittsburgh on Friday night, though, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told him he'd still like to give McDonald that draft stage hug when his name is finally picked:

Ohio St. Kayden McDonald is staying in Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft, where he is expected to be picked early tonight. Commissioner Roger Goodell went to see McDonald after he was not selected in round one, and invited him to come back tonight so he could give him a hug on the… pic.twitter.com/ipOsLr079s

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Plenty of teams could use help along their defensive lines.

McDonald also has the positive Buckeyes energy going -- Ohio State has produced so many good NFL players in recent years.

He shouldn't have to wait too long to hear his name called.

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