Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Tackle
Years: 2010-13
Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date of Birth: May 23, 1991
Jersey Number: 97
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 280 lbs
High School: Penn Hills (Penn Hills, Pennsylvania)
An unprecedented disruptive force, Aaron Donald redefined the position of defensive tackle during his four seasons in Pittsburgh, emerging as one of the most accomplished defensive linemen in college football history. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native becomes the 21st Panthers player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
Donald delivered one of the most decorated individual seasons in college football history in 2013, earning unanimous First Team All-America honors while sweeping the sport's top defensive awards, including the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies. He finished the season, leading the NCAA with 28.5 tackles for loss and averaging an astounding 2.2 tackles per loss per game. Donald was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned Most Valuable Lineman honors at the 2013 Little Caesars Bowl after recording five tackles, two tackles for loss and a pivotal 11-yard sack in Pitt's 30-27 victory over Bowling Green.
A two-time team captain and recipient of Pitt's prestigious Panther Award, Donald etched his name throughout the Panthers' record book. A two-time First Team All-Conference (2013, 2012) pick and a Second Team All-Conference (2011) selection, Donald stands as Pitt's all-time leader in career tackles for loss (66), single-season tackles for loss (28.5 in 2013) and single-game tackles for loss (six against Georgia Tech in 2013).
Over his career, he totaled 181 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks and six forced fumbles, becoming the first Pitt player to win four major national awards in a single season and the program's first defensive national award winner since NFF Hall of Famer Hugh Green in 1980.
He guided the Panthers to four consecutive bowl appearances, including victories at the 2011 BBVA Compass Bowl and the 2013 Little Caesars Bowl. He also helped Pitt claim a share of the 2010 Big East Title.
Selected 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams, Donald spent his entire 10-year professional career with the franchise, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors three times, eight First Team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl nods. He helped the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Donald currently resides in Los Angeles, where he serves as co-owner of Ready Nutrition. In 2019, he established the AD99 Solutions Foundation to help connect underserved youth and communities with critical resources and opportunities. In recognition of his lasting impact, Pitt renamed the ground floor of the Duratz Athletic Complex the "Aaron Donald Football Performance Center" following his seven-figure contribution to the Pitt Football Championship Fund. He was inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
