There’s an argument to be made that Aaron Donald is the greatest defensive player in NFL history. Defensive player, not just a defensive lineman. How many players can boast eight first-team All-Pro nods and three AP Defensive Player of the Year honors?
One. Hall of Fame defensive end Lawrence Taylor.
Donald is just about one-of-a-kind as a defensive tackle. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer in his own right, the 12th Pitt Panther by the time that Larry Fitzgerald is enshrined in 2025, and he’s very likely the best supporter of Pitt football these days.
The Aaron Donald Football Performance Center is aptly named. Donald donates on Pitt Day of Giving every year, and he’s a constant presence both in the Pittsburgh community as a Penn Hills graduate and as a Pitt grad.
He’s given a ton of money to the university, but he’s also been a constant around the facility as he’s worked with 2Tenths — the premier trainer for high school athletes in the Pittsburgh area. Despite his retirement, it doesn’t seem likely he will stop spending time training on the South Side either, and Narduzzi hopes Donald will be even more of a presence.
“I loved seeing him at practice, him and his wife and kids were there at practice last Friday,” Narduzzi said. “Hopefully, he can come in and coach our guys up a little bit, too. We’ll take him. I’m sure he’s got plans with his family, but I’m sure we’ll see him around here lifting weights like he normally does. He’s here all the time this time of the year. But we’ll see him hopefully in the fall more. Hopefully, we can get him for an honorary captain next year because we haven’t been able to get him yet.”
Donald announced his retirement over the weekend, which wasn’t all that surprising after he considered it over the last couple of seasons, but it is the end of an era.
Donald was a first round selection out of Pitt in 2014, following an All-American four-year career in Pittsburgh. He racked up 181 tackles (115 solo), 66 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, forced six fumbles and defended 10 passes during his career.
Donald’s senior campaign of 59 tackles (43 solo), 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes defended rounded out one of the best defensive efforts in Pitt history — and college football history.
In 10 seasons in the NFL, he racked up 543 tackles (340 solo), 176 tackles for loss, 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and seven recoveries and 21 pass breakups — cementing himself as one of the greats in just 10 seasons.
Donald made the Pro Bowl every season of his career, and after his latest All-Pro nod, he was honored as the best at his position all but twice in his career — his rookie season (in which he won Defensive Rookie of the Year) and his second to last season (missed six games).
Donald will certainly be back in the area throughout the offseason, and if Narduzzi gets his way, Donald will be around to serve as somewhat of a coach — and an honorary coach.
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