Jackson McDonald gives NIU a long, projectable right arm with real starter upside
Jackson McDonald is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior pitcher for Northern Illinois in 2026, and the profile points to a sturdy, physical right-hander with upside rather than a finished product. His earlier prep/recruiting track showed low- to mid-80s velocity that touched 89 mph, a four-pitch mix, and strong strike-throwing ability, while his high-school numbers included a 0.677 ERA in 2021 with 40 strikeouts in 31 innings. The appeal is clear: size, starter traits, and some swing-and-miss foundation. The catch is that current NIU stat production isn’t available, so he looks more like a developmental arm than an instant-impact ace.
