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The Jets opted not to give a new toy to Aaron Rodgers with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but certainly gave the defense another weapon.
Gang Green selected defensive end/linebacker Will McDonald out of Iowa State with the No. 15 overall pick in the draft. He becomes another high-value piece to what is already one of the elite defenses in the NFL. The Jets originally had the No. 13 pick, but moved back two spots in the trade for Rodgers.
Many thought the Jets would go with an offensive lineman, but with most of the big names off of the board they pivoted to McDonald.
So who is McDonald? Here are a few things to know:
Record-setting career
McDonald left his name all over the record books after his college career.
He is Iowa State’s all-time leader in career sacks with 34 after four productive seasons in Ames. That mark also ties the Big 12 record in that category. He also twice set the school record for sacks in a season, topping out at 11.5 in in 2021.
McDonald was named first-team All-Big 12 three times, and was named an AP Third Team All-American in 2021.
This past season, he tied the school record for forced fumbles in a season with 10.
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Late bloomer
Despite rising to become a top-15 pick in the NFL Draft, McDonald was not always a football player.
He did not join the football team at his Wisconsin high school until his junior year. He immediately took off on the gridiron en route to receiving a scholarship at Iowa State.
McDonald was an all-around star athlete in high school, also lettering in basketball, track and baseball.
Breaking the drought
McDonald made plenty of Iowa State history on the field, but he also broke an incredible drought at the school on Thursday night.
With his name being called, McDonald became the first Cyclones player to be taken in the first round in 50 years. The Houston Oilers picked quarterback/running back George Amundson in 1973.
Now, McDonald will join former Iowa State stars Breece Hall and Allen Lazard with the Jets.
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