He was a consensus All-American defensive back while playing for the Air Force Falcons football team in 1992.
While attending the Academy, he played at the cornerback position for the Air Force Falcons football team from 1989 to 1992 under head coach Fisher DeBerry.
[2] In the 1990 Liberty Bowl, McDonald intercepted two passes, including one late in the game that he returned 40 yards for a touchdown to clinch the Falcons' 23-11 victory over Ohio State.
[3] As a senior, McDonald was selected as a consensus defensive back on the 1992 College Football All-America Team.
[2] He also finished second in the voting for the 1992 Thorpe Award, presented to the top defensive back in college football since 1986.