On3 analysts weigh in on 5-star Dominick McKinley’s announcement

On Friday, 5-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley will announce his college decision ahead of Acadiana High’s matchup with Lafayette Christian Academy.

McKinley, who checks in as the No. 5 defensive line prospect on the On3 Industry Rankings, enters the week as the highest-rated defensive line prospect in the country who remains uncommitted.

McKinley is off to a strong start to his senior season, which comes a year after he landed Class 5A all-state honorable mention honors after totaling 86 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a touchdown as a junior.

With a final five that includes Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ohio State and LSU, it’s the Longhorns that hold the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) lead with 72 hours until a decision is revealed.

McKinley has remained mum on which way he’s leaning, which has kept programs jockeying back and forth over the past couple months.

How has each team fared in their recruitment of Louisiana’s top-ranked prospect? Experts from around the On3 network weighed in with their thoughts on how things have unfolded.

Texas

Inside Texas’ Gerry Hamilton: “Texas has been an extremely consistent team in the recruitment of McKinley. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has been in consistent communication with the mother of the Pelican Stage 5-star. As well as Dominick. Defensive line coach Bo Davis has built a solid relationship with McKinley, and there is a respect in the circle in regards to Davis’ resume of development. Academics can be a talking point in many recruitments, but it’s extremely impactful in McKinley’s. His mother had worked in education for two decades. McKinley plans to major in computer science, and the University of Texas is among the top colleges in the country in that field.”

Ohio State

Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker: “Ohio State and five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley on paper have seemed like an odd pair. The Buckeyes’ haven’t been able to tap into Louisiana with much success, but if they find success with McKinley, it’s because of veteran defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Ohio State’s longtime defensive line coach has built up the relationship with both McKinley and his family, and Johnson’s track record of sending Buckeyes to the NFL stands out. Along with Johnson’s impressive resume, McKinley has said he could see himself playing Ohio State’s four-man front. If there is a dark horse in this recruitment, it’s the Buckeyes.”

Oklahoma

SoonerScoop’s Josh McCuistion: “With Dominick McKinley the story has always been that it seems his focus has been in different places than some expected. It always seems like when someone thought they knew where he was leaning there would be a sudden rumor of a very different stance. Sometimes that was substantiated by McKinley himself, but as of late he’s been so quiet it’s hard to have a real feel. Still, over the last 24 hours it feels as though Oklahoma has tried to make a last push before his decision. Some of that is built around his friendship with fellow 5-star defensive lineman David Stone and some is around some belief the Sooners are still working hard to impress upon him their graduation rates. And of course there is the ever-present NIL package that has helped the Sooners a few times this summer. In the end, I can’t deny a lot of groundswell for Texas A&M in the last week but this is a decision that may truly be a mystery until he makes his choice publicly.”

Texas A&M

On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman: “I think Texas A&M really made a move early this spring when they got McKinley to campus in March. Relationships are one area he’s emphasizing, as well as resumes. Ohio State’s Larry Johnson and Texas A&M’s Elijah Robinson have that working in their favor. The head coach he might be closest to is Steve Sarkisian, and Texas has recruited well recently in Louisiana. But, the same goes for Texas A&M after the Aggies signed prospects like Jacoby Mathews, Edgerrin Cooper and Le’Veon Moss. With Texas and Texas A&M, it’s still close. I think distance is big for a family that will want to see one son (Darryus McKinley) on Friday nights and another (Dominick McKinley) on Saturdays. Personally, I think it boils down to one of the Texas schools on Friday. It’s a closer call than people realize.”

LSU

The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon: “As the summer came to an end, it felt like LSU was having to catch up to the pack for McKinley. After he made official visits to the other four finalists in June, there was momentum built by other teams off a string of visits in the spring. Oklahoma, Texas and LSU landed visits in January, then Texas A&M got the five-star to College Station in March. He returned to Baton Rouge for a visit in April, then turned the focus to official visits. Each team held some confidence after McKinley made campus visits in June, which put the Tigers behind the eight ball. One big hurdle has been a lack of continuity with a defensive line coach, a position the Tigers have turned over four times since the 2019 National Championship season. For LSU, the better shot will come on National Signing Day. The Tigers still have in-home visits and an official visit on the table, as well as any trips to Death Valley he might make. If McKinley doesn’t pick the Tigers now, the push to keep Louisiana’s No. 1 recruit at home for college won’t slow down.”

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