Five Star Plus+ DL Dominick McKinley signs with LSU
Five Star Plus+ Acadiana (La.) defensive lineman Dominick McKinley signed with LSU on National Signing Day in a ceremony at his high school.
McKinley finished as the No. 24 overall prospect in America, No. 3 defensive lineman in the country and No. 1 prospect in Louisiana for On3. He’s one of three On3 five-stars signed with the Tigers.
Dominick called the LSU official visit last month “amazing” while his mother, Angie, said Brian Kelly’s staff answered their questions. Signing McKinley was a massive recruiting win for the Tigers after flipping from Texas A&M to kick off 2024.
“I feel like we got a lot of questions answered and it all went well from Friday all the way up until Sunday,” Angie told On3. “It was still pretty much the same kind of feel. Welcoming, comforting, family, just genuine. I keep saying that because that’s what it felt like.”
New LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis was there to welcome the McKinleys to campus and it was a reunion for the two sides. Davis recruited the Acadiana standouts while at Texas.
“He was there and it was just like meeting up with family because he has been recruiting Dom and Darryus (McKinley) for a while. So when he came on board at LSU, it kind of solidified things for Dominick, I think,” Angie said. “It solidified LSU for Dominick because before, when he committed, and then a couple of days later, what coach Kelly did with the defensive staff, I guess we all were unsure who he was going to bring in or whatever. When they announced coach Davis, it solidified LSU for him.
“He’s very genuine. He always tells us the truth even when it’s not in his favor, let’s put it like that. He’s a genuine person.”
Dominick McKinley high school scouting report
Imposing interior defensive line prospect who combines pure power with impressive explosiveness and hand usage at the point of attack. Stature immediately catches your eye. Measures in at 6-foot-5, 280-plus pounds with tremendous length. Jumped an 30 inches in the vertical and ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash during the summer camp circuit prior to his junior season. Threw 47-foot-11 in the shot put as well during his junior track and field campaign.
Plays with outstanding leverage for someone his size. Possesses the ability to anchor at the point of attack. Uses his length effectively in order to gain control of his opponent. Sheds blockers with ease in the run game. Can really dig in and unlock his hips in order to maintain control at the point. Disruptive player who can knife between opponents and live in the backfield.
Excellent get off and ability to penetrate off the snap. Finished his junior season with 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Not very nuanced as a pass rusher but will come with time and reps. High upside prospect with the potential to develop into an early round draft pick.
