Aaron Donald Bio
Aaron Donald is an NFL defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams. Born May 23, 1991, he attended the University of Pittsburgh and is listed by the Rams at 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds. Donald initially retired from football on March 15, 2024, but officially returned to the Rams on August 30, 2026. As of September 21, 2026, the Rams list him as an active player wearing No. 99.
The Rams selected Donald from Pitt with the 13th overall choice in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. At Pittsburgh, he became one of college football’s most decorated defensive players, earning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award following the 2013 season. With the Rams, Donald became a three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections, and helped the franchise win Super Bowl LVI. His game has long been defined by a rare combination of quickness and strength for an interior defender.
- Position
- DT
Aaron Donald Questions & Answers
Is Aaron Donald retired?
No. Aaron Donald returned from retirement to the Los Angeles Rams on August 30, 2026, and is listed on the team’s active roster as of September 21, 2026.What position and height does Aaron Donald play?
Donald is listed as a defensive end by the Rams and NFL, though he is widely known for playing defensive tackle and other interior defensive-line roles. He is listed at 6-foot-1.When was Aaron Donald born and where did he attend college?
Aaron Donald was born on May 23, 1991, and played college football at Pittsburgh.When was Aaron Donald drafted?
The St. Louis Rams selected Donald in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 13th overall pick.What honors did Aaron Donald win at Pitt?
Following his 2013 senior season, Donald won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, and he was a unanimous first-team All-American.What are Aaron Donald’s biggest NFL accomplishments?
Donald is a three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl LVI champion with the Rams. He also received AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year recognition after the 2014 season.What is Aaron Donald’s playing style?
Donald is known for pairing quickness with exceptional strength and a relentless, high-effort approach. That combination made him disruptive from interior alignments and set a demanding practice standard for Rams defensive linemen.What contract did Aaron Donald sign when he returned to the Rams?
On August 30, 2026, NFL Network reported that Donald returned to the Rams on a one-year contract worth $20 million, with potential playoff incentives that could raise its value.
