Aaron Donald

High school career

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Donald attended Penn Hills High School. He was selected first team All-State Class AAAA in each of his final two seasons, and compiled 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks as a senior. He also started at offensive guard.

Considered a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 37th best defensive tackle in the nation. He committed to hometown Pittsburgh over other scholarship offers from Toledo, Akron, and Rutgers.

College career

As a true freshman, Donald played in all 13 games as a reserve defensive tackle. He recorded 11 tackles, including three for loss, and two sacks. In 2011, as a sophomore, Donald moved into the starting lineup, and turned in a breakout campaign. He recorded 47 tackles, including 16 for loss, 11 sacks and one forced fumble, and was named a second-team All-Big East selection. As a junior, he recorded 64 tackles, including 18.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, earning first-team All-Big East honors. In his senior season, he became one of the most productive defensive players in the entire NCAA. He posted 59 tackles, including a career best 28.5 for loss, 11 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American.

Awards and honors

Professional career

At the NFL Combine, Donald set the record for fastest time for a defensive tackle previously held by Tank Johnson, who ran a 4.69 in 2004. He drew comparisons to John Randle afterwards.

He was selected in the first round with the 13th pick overall of the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

2014 season

On June 16, 2014, the St. Louis Rams signed Donald to a four-year, $10.13 million rookie contract that is fully guaranteed. The contract also includes a $5.69 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option.

On September 7, 2014, he made his regular season debut against the Minnesota Vikings and finished the game with four tackles. The following week, he recorded three tackles and his first career sack during a 19-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On October 13, 2014, he was given his first career start against the San Francisco 49ers and finished the contest with four solo tackles. After recording 47 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles, he was one of five rookies selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl. Donald also won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

2015 season

In 2015, Donald would begin the season as the Rams' starting defensive tackle. During their season opener against the Seahawks, Donald recorded a career-high nine total tackles and two sacks, helping the Rams win a 34-31 overtime victory. On December 13, 2015, Donald made five tackles and a career-high three sacks against the Detroit Lions.

Donald started all 16 games and ended the season with 69 tackles, 11 sacks, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery. He was a Pro Bowl selection for the second consecutive season. He was ranked 14th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016 season

On September 12, 2016, Donald was ejected for the first time in his NFL career for making illegal contact with a referee. On September 16, 2016, Donald was fined $21,269 for unnecessary roughness ($9,115) and unsportsmanlike conduct ($12,154). On October 21, 2016, he was fined $18,231 for an unsportsmanlike conduct after committing the penalty during a game against the Detroit Lions. Donald was named to his third straight Pro Bowl and his second First-team All-Pro.

2017 season

On April 12, 2017, the Rams exercised the fifth-year option on Donald's contract. Donald did not report to the Rams 2017 training camp and preseason due to a contract extension dispute. He has accumulated about $1.4 million in fines due to his non-participation and each game that he misses will cost him one game check from his current base salary of $1.8 million. On September 9, 2017, Donald reported to the Rams and passed his physical, however he did not play in the team's Week 1 game the next day.