Player Career

Caden McDonald Career Story

Career story, signature performances, transfer context, and season arc are grouped for biography-style searches.

Player Story

Caden McDonald story

Caden McDonald built his college career from 2018 through 2022 as a linebacker from Haslet, TX wearing No. 54, spending time with San Diego State. The clearest part of Caden McDonald's career was his defensive production: 161 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions across 48 career games in the available record. His largest box-score season came in 2021 with San Diego State. Those numbers show where he fit, how often the ball or action found him, and how his role developed over time.

Defensive careers can be hard to read from one number, but Caden McDonald's production has multiple signals. With 48 career games in the available record, his career has enough shape to show both opportunity and production across San Diego State.

The arc is straightforward: Caden McDonald moved through the depth chart, found a larger role, and turned that opportunity into production that can be understood through standard football numbers.

Career Arc

Track team changes, role shifts, and season-to-season movement.

  1. 1

    San Diego State

    2018-2022

    Opening stop

Season Value Progression

20182018201920192020202120212022
SeasonTeamPrimaryEfficiencyUsageDelta
2018 PostseasonSan Diego State04.20.9
2018 Regular SeasonSan Diego State04.20.90
2019 PostseasonSan Diego State1119.45.711
2019 Regular SeasonSan Diego State1119.45.70
2020 Regular SeasonSan Diego State20.540.29.89.5
2021 PostseasonSan Diego State16.526.76.5-4
2021 Regular SeasonSan Diego State16.526.76.50
2022 Regular SeasonSan Diego State12.526.97.7-4

Signature Performances

Top Games

#1 Featured game

vs UNLV

Week 8 · W 34-6 · Conference game

Win with backfield disruption leading the way.

7.5

Havoc Plays

94.4 takeover

7.5 disruption/tackle impact with 94.4 takeover score.

#2

vs Idaho State

Week 2 · W 38-7

3.5

Havoc Plays

89.4 takeover

Win with 3.5 impact plays across the defensive snap sheet.

3.5 disruption/tackle impact with 89.4 takeover score.

#3

@ Hawai'i

Week 13 · L 11-14 · Conference game

4

Havoc Plays

85.6 takeover

Loss with backfield disruption leading the way.

4 disruption/tackle impact with 85.6 takeover score.

#4

vs New Mexico State

Week 1 · W 28-10

3

Havoc Plays

83.6 takeover

Win with 3 impact plays across the defensive snap sheet.

3 disruption/tackle impact with 83.6 takeover score.

#5

vs Hawai'i

Week 11 · W 34-10 · Conference game

5

Havoc Plays

82 takeover

Win with backfield disruption leading the way.

5 disruption/tackle impact with 82 takeover score.

Top Seasons

#1 Season by Season Value

2020 Regular Season · San Diego State

20.5 primary output · 40.2 efficiency · 9.8 usage

62.7

#2

2021 Postseason · San Diego State

53.8

16.5 primary · 26.7 efficiency · 6.5 usage

#3

2021 Regular Season · San Diego State

53.8

16.5 primary · 26.7 efficiency · 6.5 usage

Milestones

11

Impact games

14

Splash games

0

10+ tackle games