Zaiden McDonald
Freshman defensive back on Stanford's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′2″ · 195 lb · Newark, NJ · Malcolm X Shabazz
Recruiting
S recruit
No. 833 nationally · Signed with Stanford
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
1 defensive back on Stanford's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Stanford in 2026.
Zaiden McDonald
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
His career
2026
- Signed with Stanford3-star out of Malcolm X Shabazz
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Tavita Pritchard
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive back for Stanford -- now projected as a quality contributor in the secondary.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Grades highest in speed and zone coverage.
Stanford has produced 1 All-Conference defensive backs. 7 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2014. Kyu Blu Kelly went on to the NFL out of this room (2023).
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Stanford
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · Stanford
Returning around him
- 2 Stanford players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -6 net (6 in / 12 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Stanford · Last season: 4-8 · Talent rank #50 · 2026 recruiting class #37
The secondary · Stanford
- #21Scotty Edwards54 tackles · 2025
- #5Jaivion Green38 tackles · 2025
- #39Charlie Eckhardt34 tackles · 2025
- #9Brandon Nicholson27 tackles · 2025
- #22Zaiden McDonaldno box-score line yet
17 more on the roster · Stanford team page