Iowa State DE Will McDonald Turning Heads at Reese’s Senior Bowl
Former Iowa State defensive end, Will McDonald is having an absolute field day at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, and it is all over social media.
Currently evaluated as a first-round talent, McDonald is one player that should be flying up draft boards for all 32 NFL teams. The 2023 prospect has been seen shredding top offensive linemen at the senior bowl including the 6-foot-6 335-pound behemoth in Tennessee’s Darnell Wright.
McDonald’s first highlight came in one-on-one pass-rushing drills lined up across from Darnell Wright who is projected to be one of the first tackles off the board this year. McDonald beats Wright around the outside with a deep wrap-around to the quarterback.
Here’s the first rep.
Following up his first rep with excellent technique, McDonald plants a spin move on Wright on the very next play of pass protection.
While Will McDonald’s pass rushing isn’t really the question of how high the Cyclone’s ceiling can be, McDonald even made big plays dropping back in coverage, something he didn’t do much of in college.
In the play below, McDonald can be seen breaking up what should be a completed pass to Alabama tight end, Cameron Latu.
Devin Jackson of the Philidelphia Inquirer asked McDonald about his pass breakup after practice which McDonald responded by saying, “I was a curl-flat dropper, so I’m dropping at 95 degrees and I’m keying the tight end, looking to see where he’s going while having eyes on the QB, we were taught punch the ball out as soon as he tries to catch it.”
Wherever Will McDonald ends up on draft night in Kansas City is going to snag a steal of a ball player. McDonald is currently ranked as a top 10 overall pass rusher in the 2023 class behind fellow Big 12 members, Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, and Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
