In a sport that increasingly gets farther away from the defensive end, making a mark on that side of the field becomes even more important. In the NFL, no name has made a larger impact from a defensive standpoint in the previous decade than Aaron Donald.
After having workouts structured into his life by his father, Donald attended Penn Hills High School where he was dominant as a defensive tackle. Even though he got offers from Toledo, Akron, and Rutgers, he chose to commit to his hometown of Pittsburgh.
After serving as a reserve in his freshman year, Donald was promoted to the starting lineup in his sophomore campaign, leading to a breakout. His phenomenal play led to an All-Big East selection. The next year, he was even better, earning first-team All-Big East honors. In his senior season, however, he became one of the most productive defensive players in the entire NCAA and was named the ACC Defensive Player while also being a unanimous All-American.
His record-breaking run in the NFL started right from the Combine where he set the record for fastest 40-yard dash by a defensive tackle. Eventually, he was drafted with the 13th overall pick by the St Louis Rams. His dominant career started off to a strong start as he was one of 5 rookies selected for the 2015 Pro Bowl. He also won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team.
His next season saw his dominance become televised on a national stage as he became a first-team All-Pro selection, while also earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl. His impact was felt by his fellow players, as he was ranked 14th in the NFL's top hundred players list. He was named to his third state Pro Bowl the following season, and also his second first-team All-Pro selection, despite some controversies regarding foul play.
Despite a lengthy contract dispute, Aaron eventually made it to the Ramses roster and was named to his 4th straight Pro Bowl while also being named to the first-team All-Pro a third time. Making a claim for the contract that he demanded. He earned his force the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Eventually, he signed a six-year $135,000,000 contract with the Rams, becoming the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. His phenomenal play continued as he was once again, a member of the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first-team. But that wasn't all as he joined Lawrence Taylor and JJ Watt as the only players in NFL history to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Award in consecutive seasons. This exceptional play continued into the postseason as he led his team to the Super Bowl, where they lost 13-3 to the New England Patriots.
His stellar play continued, as he earned two more Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021 while earning first-team All-Pro honors both times. His 2021 season is best remembered for his exploits in the postseason. In the NFC Championship game, he was crucial to the game-sealing interception against Jimmy Garoppolo. In Super Bowl LVI, he had two sacks and three quarterback hits, including the game-sealing pressure play and the victory for the Los Angeles Rams.
A restructuring of his deal saw Donald become the first non-quarterback to average more than $30 million per season in earnings. Injuries, however, derailed his momentum, and he missed most of the 2022 season.
What is Aaron Donald’s Height?
Aaron Donald has a recorded height of six feet 1 inch, or one point eight five meters. While slightly shorter than the average height of a defensive tackle, it has not slowed down productivity one bit. In fact, it has allowed him to bulk up and build up a stocky frame, exceptionally important for sacks and tackles.
Aaron Charles Donald was born on May 23rd, 1991 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opting to stay close to home, he spent the vast majority of his high school and collegiate career in Pittsburgh.
While his height should put him at a narrative disadvantage, it has not hampered his productivity one bit. A three-time defensive player of the year and Super Bowl champion, Donald is one of the most accomplished defensive players in the league’s history. His dominance, which was apparent from the collegiate level, has only increased tenfold during his NFL career.
After a disappointing last season with the Rams, Donald and the team will look to get back to their winning ways.
FAQs
A. Donald can lift about 25.5 pounds on average.
A. Aaron Donald is the only non-quarterback in the NFL earning more than $30 million as his average annual salary rounds out to about $31.6 million.
A. Aaron Donald has an estimated net worth of $60 million.
A. Aaron Donald can squat a maximum weight of 800 pounds, making him one of the strongest players in the entire NFL.
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