Peterson: What the New York Jets are getting in Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald IV
Will McDonald practices so hard that he's been known to be withheld from some drills out of fear that a teammate may get hurt.
And oh by the way, the New York Jets are getting an edge rusher who’s not only a wonderful football player but also a good guy.
“He terrorizes practice,” said Iowa State coach Matt Campbell. “He can ruin a practice in a heartbeat. Every rep is at an elite level. He’s been in love with becoming the best.
“He’s 23, 24 years old, but his football age – he’s only six to seven years into this thing. That guy can only continue to grow and get better. He’s no different than (former Cyclone running back) Breece (Hall), in terms of elite athleticism. It’s the same, regardless if he’s playing edge rusher or outside linebacker.”
And now, Iowa State finally has another first-round draft choice − the first since the Houston Oilers picked quarterback/running back George Amundson in 1973. With the Jets, McDonald will play with former Cyclones Allen Lazard and Breece Hall. While McDonald was a teammate with Hall, the Jets' second-round pick in the previous NFL Draft, he missed playing with Lazard by a year.
"Really special kid who is the absolute best player this school has ever seen," Campbell said Thursday night.
Last year's No. 15 pick, Texas A&M's Kenyon Green's contract was for $16 million over four years, according to published reports. He was selected by Houston.
Here's what Jets coach Robert Saleh said about McDonald:
"It’s a passing league. If you can put the head of the snake on the ground, which is the quarterback, it doesn’t matter what you have from an offensive perspective. If the quarterback can’t throw the ball, it doesn’t matter. This kid has elite ability to get after the quarterback. That’s what excites."
McDonald’s 34 career sacks are an Iowa State record. It’s tied for the Big 12 record. He forced 10 fumbles, which proves his ball-hawking skills.
“I loved his forced fumble production,” said ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. “He’s a situational pass rusher who can immediately help any defense.”
A four-year starter at Iowa State, McDonald could have turned pro a year earlier, but he didn’t. A few credits shy of becoming the first in his family to graduate college, he succeeded at that, too, fulfilling a promise to his mother.
“He’s part of the group that changed the culture of Iowa State football,” Campbell said. “He didn’t have to come back for another year, yet he did.”
He finished school. He worked on what he needed to work on from a football standpoint.
“The greatest football trait he has is that when it’s time to move the quarterback off his spot or get a sack,” Campbell said, “I don’t know that I’ve seen a guy that’s better.”
Cyclones line coach Eli Rasheed predicted as much, just a few days into McDonald’s true freshman fall.
“I think he can be one of the most dominant pass rushers in school history,” Rasheed said.
And he was right.
The positives
Quite possibly the most athletic member of an Iowa State defense that was always among the nation’s best. McDonald also is versatile. He can play outside. He can play inside. He can play linebacker.
He moved around considerably last season as defenses double-teamed him. It was part of coordinator Jon Heacock’s now-you-see-him, now-you-don’t formations.
“He knows he’s going to be a sought-after guy on Saturdays,” Rasheed said before last season. “They’re going to send multiple guys to block him. They’re not going to let him affect the game.”
Somehow, he still found a way.
The concerns
He’ll be 24 in June, which might be a tad aged in NFL circles. That’s offset somewhat in that McDonald didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school.
NFL.com says he’s “lean though the waist, hips and thighs ... and that he’s strong, but lacking NFL mass.”
How much can he provide in run support? Can he play 25-30 snaps a game?
He was quicker and more athletic than some college players trying to block him. That won’t be the case in the NFL.
Randy Peterson’s final thoughts
An explosive sack artist with a high ceiling. That’s what McDonald is bringing to the NFL.
He won’t be outworked, whatever role he’s asked to fill. He’s quick. He’s got long arms, a 36-inch vertical, and an 11-foot broad jump.
He’s got the measurables and the drive to have a very nice NFL career.
He’s still got plenty to learn – like becoming a run-stopper. It’s a matter of a team having the patience to teach an older rookie new tricks.
Are the Jets now Cyclones East? That probably won't catch on, but it's still cool that three of Campbell's former players are now with one NFL franchise.
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 51st year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, and on Twitter @RandyPete
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Peterson: What the NY Jets are getting in Iowa State football's Will McDonald
