Five-star DL Dominick McKinley flips from Texas A&M to LSU

Five-star DL Dominick McKinley had a change of heart — and then ushered in the new year with some major fireworks of his own.

McKinley, the No. 27 overall player in the country out of Lafayette (La.) Acadiana High School in Louisiana, flipped his commitment from the Texas A&M Aggies to the LSU Tigers.

After returning to College Station earlier in December, the McKinley Family hosted several coaches for in-home visits, including LSU head coach Brian Kelly and associate head coach Frank Wilson. McKinley’s mind was made up shortly after that experience with the coaches and his family.

“There’s a lot of opportunities for being a Louisiana kid and staying home,” McKinley told On3 of his decision to flip in-state to the Tigers.

“For home-state kids, it’s important,” he continued. “I’ll be right there by my family, it’s 45 minutes away and easy to go back and forth, and there’s a lot of opportunities for in-state kids going to LSU.”

“I love the environment there and the energy about it,” Louisiana’s top-ranked recruit said of LSU.

Brian Kelly, Frank Wilson lead the way

The Tigers hosted McKinley and his family for an unofficial visit in July. LSU has continued to chip away with the five-star DL ever since.

The McKinleys hosted Kelly and Wilson in-home in December, and LSU’s head coach made a strong impression in the family’s living room.

“I know Coach Kelly, I like how he coaches his guys the right way, how they should be,” the 6-foot-5, 280-pound DL said. “I like how he develops his players.”

Wilson also played a leading role in keeping McKinley inside The Boot.

“He’s really good at what he does,” McKinley said. “I like how he is honest, he’s really real with you, he gives you the truth about everything. He’s genuine.”

Dominick McKinley Scouting Summary

“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.”