Wilbert McDonald IV is an American professional football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones and was selected by the Jets as the 15th pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. McDonald has established himself as one of the NFL’s most promising young pass rushers, building on a record-setting college career at Iowa State.
Will McDonald IV Bio
Will McDonald IV, whose full name is Wilbert McDonald IV, was born on June 4, 1999, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He is 27 years old as of 2026 and plays the defensive end position for the New York Jets, wearing jersey number 9. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, McDonald has emerged as a dynamic presence on the Jets’ defensive line since being drafted in 2023. His journey from Wisconsin high school football to the NFL showcases his development as a pass rusher and his potential to become a foundational player for the Jets franchise.
Early Life and Background
McDonald was born on June 4, 1999, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Casimir Pulaski High School as a freshman before transferring to Waukesha North High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At Waukesha North, he lettered in multiple sports, showcasing his athletic versatility in football, basketball, and track and field. His multi-sport background helped develop the speed, agility, and explosiveness that would define his future football career.
Path to the NFL
McDonald played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones from 2018 to 2022. He appeared in four games as a true freshman, recording three tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble before redshirting the remainder of the season. His redshirt freshman year provided him with valuable development time to adjust to the collegiate level. As a redshirt sophomore, McDonald emerged as one of the nation’s top defensive linemen, earning First-team All-Big 12 honors. He set Iowa State’s single-season sack record and tied for the national lead with 10.5 sacks. His dominance continued as a redshirt junior when he broke his own single-season sack record while becoming Iowa State’s all-time career sacks leader. McDonald earned Big 12 co-Defensive Lineman of the Year recognition and was named First-team All-Big 12 for the third consecutive season in 2022.
Will McDonald IV Career
Rookie Season (2023)
The New York Jets selected McDonald in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 15th overall pick. The Jets had initially held the 13th overall selection but traded down two spots with the Green Bay Packers as part of the larger Aaron Rodgers trade package. McDonald’s transition to the professional level began immediately following the draft. He appeared in 17 games during his rookie season, recording three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. While his first NFL season served as a learning experience, it provided a foundation for his development as a professional pass rusher.
Breakthrough Season (2024)
McDonald experienced a significant leap in his second professional season, establishing himself as a dominant defensive end for the Jets. He accumulated 28 total tackles, including 10.5 sacks, which tied for 12th in the NFL, along with two forced fumbles and three pass deflections. His 24 quarterback hits tied for seventh in the league, showcasing his consistent disruptive presence. A defining moment came in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans when McDonald recorded three sacks and one forced fumble in the Jets’ 24-17 victory. The performance announced McDonald as an emerging star in the NFL.
2025 Season
Heading into the 2025 season, McDonald was expected to build on his breakthrough 2024 campaign and establish himself as a perennial Pro Bowl candidate. He led the Jets with eight sacks and ten tackles for loss through 15 games, demonstrating consistent production. However, his season was derailed by a knee injury suffered in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. The Jets placed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 26, 2025, prematurely ending his third professional season.
2026 and Beyond
Despite the injury setback, the Jets demonstrated their commitment to McDonald by picking up his fifth-year contract option on April 29, 2026. The decision reflects the organization’s belief in his long-term value to the franchise. At 27 years old, McDonald remains a cornerstone of the Jets’ defensive future as he continues his recovery and aims to return to his elite level of play.
Playing Style and Strengths
McDonald is renowned for his explosive first step and relentless motor, which allow him to consistently threaten the edge against offensive tackles. His 6-foot-4 frame and 245-pound build provide the length and power necessary to disengage from blocks and pressure quarterbacks. His college career demonstrated elite-level production, highlighted by his single-season and career sack records at Iowa State. At the professional level, he has shown the ability to stop the run effectively while remaining a potent pass-rushing threat, making him a three-down option for the Jets’ defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
McDonald’s most notable professional moment came in Week 2 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans when his three-sack performance demonstrated his ability to take over games defensively. His selection as the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, acquired as part of the Aaron Rodgers trade negotiations, marked a significant milestone in his career trajectory. His continued development with the Jets positions him as a foundational piece of the franchise’s defensive future.
Will McDonald IV Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, McDonald has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple categories, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier young pass rushers.
NFL Regular Season Stats
In 37 career games played, McDonald has recorded 72 total tackles, including 21.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. His 21.5 career sacks represent an impressive total for a player in just three professional seasons. He has also forced three fumbles and deflected three passes, demonstrating his ability to impact games in multiple ways beyond traditional pass-rushing statistics.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | New York Jets | 17 | 10 | 3.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | New York Jets | 17 | 28 | 10.5 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 | New York Jets | 15 | 34 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Will McDonald IV Family
Family Background
McDonald was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and his full name Wilbert McDonald IV indicates a multi-generational family tradition. His background as a Wisconsin native has been a consistent thread throughout his football career, from his early days in the state through his rise to the NFL. Specific details regarding his parents, siblings, or extended family are not extensively documented in public sources.
Personal Life
McDonald maintains a presence on social media, with an Instagram account under the handle @_.ix.__. Beyond his football career, he continues to represent his Wisconsin roots as a native of Pewaukee. Specific details regarding his personal relationships, including marital status or children, are not publicly known as of this profile.
2025 Season Performance
After a breakthrough 2024 campaign that saw him emerge as one of the NFL’s most promising young pass rushers, McDonald entered the 2025 season with heightened expectations. He was expected to build on his 10.5-sack performance and serve as a centerpiece of the Jets’ defense. Through 15 games, he led the team with eight sacks and ten tackles for loss, demonstrating consistent production despite increased attention from opposing offenses. His season trajectory was derailed when he suffered a knee injury in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. The Jets placed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 26, 2025, concluding his campaign prematurely. The injury represents a setback in McDonald’s development, but his track record of production and the Jets’ commitment, evidenced by their fifth-year option pickup in 2026, suggest he remains a key part of the team’s long-term defensive plans.