Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has already captured the hearts of Houston Texans fans.

McDonald jumped up and down in the arms of fans at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh as the Texans traded up for the 36th pick in the NFL Draft to take him off the board on Friday. 

The raw emotion stemmed from what was a disappointing first day of the draft. McDonald arrived in Pittsburgh as a projected first-round pick, dressed in a suit, but didn’t get a call on the first night. Instead of heading home after the first day, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell requested that the defensive tackle stay an extra day. The result was a tearful walk across the stage and a jubilant celebration with Texans fans. 

“Things didn’t go as planned yesterday, but you’ve got to believe in God’s plan,” McDonald told ESPN Radio. “I know who I am as a player, and I know who I am as a person, and I felt like that was the right thing to do. I have no shame, that’s who I am and I know I’m a great football player.”

The 6-foot-2, 326-pound defensive tackle is considered one of the best defensive linemen in this year’s draft. Born in Texarkana, Arkansas, McDonald moved to the Atlanta area at a young age, playing high school football for North Gwinnett High School and went on to play three years at Ohio State, starting the final two. He finished his final season as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year: totaling 65 tackles, 9 tackles for losses for 29 yards, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass break-ups.

McDonald’s NFL Draft scouting report describes him as a “talented run defender…plays with natural leverage and rattles pads with his initial contact. He’s quick to locate ball-carriers, play off blocks, and rally to the action.” Of course, the Texans didn’t exactly need help in their run game, leading the league with 277.2 yards allowed per game and being second in turnovers (17) last season. 

But off the field, McDonald seems to be a genuinely humble guy. During his time at Ohio State, McDonald volunteered to play with the kids at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. 

He’s also been an inspiration to members of his family.

In a social video posted by the NFL, McDonald says, “My little nephew, like I can see that he wants to do the same thing. It can be anything, but I love him to death.” 

His nephew also wrote a tribute, and McDonald broke down in tears watching it: “Dear Kayden, I went to all your football games when you were a kid. When you was in high school. I grew up with you all your life and you finally made it. You dreamed this all your life and you just did it. Correctly. I love you, Kayden. I’m proud of you.” 

The NFL Draft is known for featuring some of college football’s biggest stars in a different light, sharing their personal journeys and providing insight into their personalities off the field. Keeping McDonald in Pittsburgh to celebrate and interviewing his nephew made his story that much more powerful.Â