Skip to main content
Ohio State
Join Now

Signed: LSU legacy Darryus McKinley joins Ohio State following late cycle flip from the Tigers

2iQTwToy.jpg-mediumby: Mick Walker12/03/25mickdwalker

The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2026 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Darryus McKinley has signed with the Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS — The Buckeyes scored multiple recruiting wins in Louisiana this cycle and specifically beat in-state LSU for the following prospect. Three-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley has signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.

What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.

Who is Darryus McKinley?

Darryus McKinley is a four-star defensive lineman from Lafayette, Louisiana. He attended Acadiana High School. McKinley is the younger brother of current LSU defensive lineman and former five-star prospect Dominick McKinley. Ohio State and Larry Johnson fell just short of landing the older McKinley in the 2024 class. But they were able to complete the flip of the younger McKinley from LSU late in the cycle. Now the Buckeyes will wait to see if the older McKinley enters the Transfer Portal and attempts to join his brother in Columbus.

Rivals Industry Rankings: No. 468 overall, No. 52 defensive lineman, No. 16 in Louisiana

Rivals Ranking: No. 39 defensive lineman and No. 14 in Louisiana

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 270 pounds

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

High School: Acadiana

Scouting Report: “Ohio State does not typically go into Louisiana and pull out top talent, but they are in line to sign not just one but two prospects from the Boot in 2026. The Buckeyes won a tough recruiting battle for elite safety Blaine Bradford in March and then flipped legacy defensive line prospect Darryus McKinley from the Tigers after Bryan Kelly was fired. Darryus’s older brother Dominick is a key component on LSU‘s defense of line-both now and in the future. Larry Johnson flexed his muscle with this recruitment and pulled one of the states most productive defensive lineman away.” – Rivals Mid-South Analyst Sam Spiegelman