Will McDonald, the Jets’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, took some time for a Q&A with The Post’s Steve Serby:
Q: Which quarterbacks are you looking forward to sacking?
A: All of ’em. I need to sack every quarterback in the league. That’s my mindset right now.
Q: Do you not like quarterbacks?
A: I love quarterbacks. I love sacking quarterbacks though. I love stripping the ball from quarterbacks ’cause it makes my job easier and makes the offense’s job easier.
Q: How good of a trash talker are you?
A: I trash-talk all the time (smile). I’m never on the field and not like trash talking.
Q: What makes Aaron Rodgers great?
A: He’s just GOATy. I’ve been watching him since 2008, how he plays the game, how he operates. It’s a lot of things that I’m looking forward to learning from him.
Q: You played at Iowa State with Breece Hall — what makes him special?
A: He’s very elusive, very fast, strong, quick. He has everything in a package.
Q: Describe your on-field mentality.
A: It’s me versus me. If I lose, that’s letting me know that I need to work on my technique and like my game more. I don’t want be in front of 50, like thousands of people and just be getting hammered on the field. I don’t want to be going out there looking stupid. I like to keep my pride. It’s really like me versus him but it’s really a me versus me mentality.
Q: What is so great about a sack?
A: Just being able to get the ball out when you get a sack, it’s a real good feeling, especially if you pick it up and you score with it. Big stops, third downs, they can be game changers.
Q: Describe the change in you on the field.
A: I’m talking … you’re gonna hear some words from me. My mentality is just like just kill. I’m not feeling bad for nobody. I’m trying to reach my best physical version of myself that I can reach. Once I get to doing that, keep getting one per cent better, I feel like I’ll be in the Hall of Fame.
Q: Do you think you can make an impact as a rookie?
A: I definitely feel like I can make an impact as a rookie, just following all the vets, learning things a lot of things from them.
Q: Describe your (older) brother (Quantie) who is looking down on you now for me.
A: He actually passed away on some fetanyl … real like happy dude, goofy, always outgoing … kinda acted like me. I got ADHD — just always doing stuff. He got a little bit at home that everybody takes care of. My brother is one of the best people that I can ever meet.
Q: How did you find out he had passed away?
A: My dad had called me. That’s when he gave me the news.
Q: You were in college?
A: Yeah, it was around five days after my birthday.
Q: What was that moment like?
A: Couldn’t believe it at first. We were able to persevere through.
Q: What is the significance of your butterfly tattoo?
A: It’s just like whenever I see the butterflies it just like reminds me of him.
Q: Describe your mom.
A: She acts just like me. All the earrings, all the chains, we both got dreads. A real goofy person, goofy personality, very outspoken. She models. She’s a real cool person.
Q: You’ve jumped over parked cars … do you think you can jump over a stretch limo?
A: Are you talking about like horizontally or … yeah I definitely can. I definitely feel like I can.
Q: But those days are over though.
A: I’m not doing that no more.
Q: What was it like working at McDonald’s and how much did you make?
A: I think it was like $7.50 or like $8.50. I was at the cash register, I was at the window, I was sweeping and mopping.
Q: How difficult was it financially growing up?
A: Very difficult. My dad and my mom took care of us the best way that they can. We were poor, but we still always managed to get some type of food on the table. They always made sure that we ate and we at least had some clothes.
Q: How good were you at basketball?
A: I feel like I could have went probably like D II and then work my way up to D I.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Barack Obama, Snoop Dog, Ice Cube.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Will Smith.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Angelina Jolie.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Fried chicken.
Q: What grade would you give the Jets for drafting Will McDonald IV?
A: I’ll give them an A.
Q: Why?
A: Because I feel like I was picked for a reason. They trust me throughout the process, they see my resume. Definitely gonna come here try to do what I need to do, learn from everybody, try to become a Hall of Famer.
Q: What would be your message be to Jets fans?
A: I’m not gonna let anybody down. I’m glad to be in this city, making big plays, and I’m just happy to be here. I won’t let anybody down, and I’m gonna get one percent better every day.
