McDonald Adds Walter Camp All-America Honors to Resume
12/31/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
The standout defensive back became the first Lion honored by the foundation since 2010
NEW YORK — Columbia football senior defensive back Hayden McDonald was selected as an FCS All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation on December 31. McDonald is the first Lion to be represented by the WCFF since Andrew Kennedy '11CC in 2010 and has picked up five All-America honors from various entities.
During the week of December 16, he earned AFCA Coaches' Association Second Team, First Team FCS Football Central, Third Team by Stats Perform and honorable mention by the Associated Press. McDonald's five selections are the most for a Columbia football student-athlete since Bill Swiacki (seven) in 1947.
McDonald, who committed to Nevada as a graduate transfer on December 26, is the first Lion to achieve All-America status since Mike Roussos '21CC in 2019 and the first defensive player to do so since Marcellus Wiley '97CC in 1996. Additionally, Columbia has not had an AP honoree since offensive lineman Jeff Adams '12CC in 2011, and he is the first Lion representative on the AFCA All-America list since Swiacki in 1947.
McDonald was a finalist for the Bushnell Cup, given to the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, and Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top FCS defensive player in the nation. McDonald anchored the Columbia defense, which ranked second nationally in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 16.1 points per game. The Seattle native posted a league-high five picks, good to rank second nationally in interceptions per game. He was second on the team in tackles with 68 and had seven pass breakups.
He was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week after picking off two passes in a win over Princeton on October 5. Columbia was 7-0 when McDonald posted at least seven tackles and 4-0 when he intercepted a pass. His final interception helped the Lions seal a victory against Cornell on their way to a share of the conference crown.
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