The Los Angeles Rams have battled in 2023, keeping their playoff hopes alive all season. One of the big reasons is their superstar defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
The future Hall of Famer continued his career of dominance in 2023. Before becoming an NFL superstar, though, he was a college star. Where did he play, and when did he get drafted?
What Year Was Aaron Donald Drafted?
Donald was born May 23, 1991, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Penn Hills High School, where he compiled 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks as a senior.
After a successful high school career, Donald was ranked as a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com. He then committed to the University of Pittsburgh. He chose Pitt over Akron, Rutgers, and Toledo.
Donald went on to spend four seasons with Pittsburgh. He had 181 total tackles, 66 tackles for loss, and 29.5 sacks. He also added 10 pass deflections and six forced fumbles. His best season came as a senior, when he had 59 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.
In 2013, Donald was named 2013 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American. Although he was highly successful, he was viewed as undersized for the NFL. He was listed at 6’0″, 285 pounds coming out of college.
Even with the size concerns, Donald was taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He participated at the NFL Combine, where he set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time for a defensive tackle with a 4.68. He was compared to former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle John Randle.
Since being drafted, Donald has played in 152 career games, starting 148. In those games, he compiled 536 total tackles, 173 tackles for loss, and 109 sacks. He also has 24 forced fumbles and 20 pass deflections. His best single season came in 2018, when he had 59 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks.
MORE: History of Los Angeles Rams First-Round NFL Draft Picks
In Donald’s career, he has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, and 2020). He also is a nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 and won his first Super Bowl in 2021. Additionally, he was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
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