Will McDonald IV Bio
Wilbert McDonald IV, known professionally as Will McDonald IV, is an American professional football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, he plays the edge position and has quickly developed into a productive pass rusher since entering the league. A native of Wisconsin, McDonald played his college football at Iowa State University, where he established himself as one of the premier defensive linemen in the Big 12 Conference before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Will McDonald IV was born on June 4, 1999, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, a small city located west of Milwaukee. He grew up in the greater Waukesha area and was raised alongside a strong family environment that encouraged athletic participation from a young age. His early exposure to multiple sports helped him develop the physical foundation and competitive mindset that would later shape his football career.
McDonald attended Casimir Pulaski High School as a freshman before transferring to Waukesha North High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At Waukesha North, he lettered in three sports, participating in football, basketball, and track and field. The combination of basketball and track helped him build the speed, agility, and explosiveness that became hallmarks of his game. His football performances at Waukesha North drew the attention of college recruiters and led to his commitment to Iowa State University.
Path to American Football
Will McDonald IV committed to Iowa State University, joining the Iowa State Cyclones football program as a highly regarded defensive line prospect. He began his college career as a true freshman and appeared in four games, recording three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble before deciding to redshirt the remainder of the season. The redshirt decision allowed him to preserve a year of eligibility and focus on physical development.
As a redshirt sophomore, McDonald broke out, earning first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors after setting a school record and tying for the national lead with 10.5 sacks. His production that season established him as one of the most disruptive pass rushers in college football. He followed that performance with a redshirt junior campaign in which he broke his own single-season sack record and surpassed the Iowa State career sacks record. Over three consecutive seasons from 2020 through 2022, he was named first-team All-Big 12, and in 2021 he was recognized as the Big 12 co-Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Will McDonald IV Career
Early Career (2023)
Will McDonald IV entered the 2023 NFL draft as one of the top defensive end prospects in his class, thanks to his production and athletic profile at Iowa State. The New York Jets, who owned the 13th overall pick, traded down two spots with the Green Bay Packers as part of the Aaron Rodgers trade package, and used the 15th overall selection to draft McDonald. The trade down was the first of multiple moves tied to the blockbuster Aaron Rodgers deal, and it allowed the Jets to address a long-term need on the edge.
As a rookie in 2023, McDonald worked into the Jets’ defensive rotation and produced a steady debut season, finishing with three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His snap count grew as the season progressed, and his presence helped the Jets’ defensive front generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2024)
In his second NFL season in 2024, Will McDonald IV emerged as a standout defensive end for the New York Jets. He recorded 28 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles, while also adding 24 quarterback hits. His 10.5 sacks tied for 12th in the NFL, and his 24 quarterback hits tied for seventh in the league, signaling his emergence as a top-tier pass rusher.
One of the defining performances of McDonald’s 2024 campaign came in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, when he delivered 3 sacks and a forced fumble in a 24-17 Jets victory. His ability to win one-on-one matchups and finish plays with consistency became a defining trait of his second season. By year’s end, McDonald had firmly established himself as a foundational piece of the Jets’ defensive front.
Driving Style and Strengths
Will McDonald IV is known for his combination of length, first-step quickness, and refined pass-rush technique. His background in basketball and track and field contributes to his exceptional explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, and his disciplined approach allows him to convert speed into pressure. As a defensive end, he excels at setting the edge against the run while remaining a constant threat to quarterbacks on passing downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
McDonald’s signature moment of the 2024 season came in the Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans, when he tallied 3 sacks and a forced fumble. He also set the Iowa State career sacks record during his redshirt junior season, surpassing every previous Cyclones defender. His selection as the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft marked him as one of the highest-drafted defensive linemen in Jets history.
Will McDonald IV Career Wins
Will McDonald IV has produced consistent sack totals at both the college and professional levels, establishing himself as a reliable producer in the passing game. At Iowa State, he set the program’s career sacks record and tied for the national lead in sacks during his redshirt sophomore season. In the NFL, he recorded 3 sacks as a rookie in 2023 and elevated his production with 10.5 sacks in 2024, finishing tied for 12th in the league.
Big 12 Conference Highlights
During his three seasons as a starter at Iowa State, Will McDonald IV was a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors three times, in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and was named the Big 12 co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2021. His redshirt sophomore campaign included 10.5 sacks, a school record and a tie for the national lead. He later broke his own single-season sack record and set the Iowa State career sacks record the following year.
Will McDonald IV Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Will McDonald IV was born and raised in the Pewaukee and Waukesha area of Wisconsin, where he developed his early athletic foundation. Details of his family background are limited in public records, and he has kept much of his personal life private.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Will McDonald IV is expected to take on an even larger role as a primary edge rusher for the New York Jets. After finishing 2024 tied for 12th in the NFL with 10.5 sacks and tied for seventh with 24 quarterback hits, he has built strong momentum heading into his third professional campaign. The Jets’ defensive staff is likely to deploy him in expanded pass-rush packages and use his first-step quickness to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
McDonald’s continued growth and his track record of producing pressure make him a focal point of the Jets’ defensive outlook in 2025. With the foundation of two NFL seasons behind him, he is positioned to compete for team sack leadership and further establish himself among the league’s rising pass rushers.