Texas A&M trending for 5-star DL Dominick McKinley ahead of commitment
Lafayette (La.) Acadiana High School five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley is set to kick off his senior season Friday night. But before that, the nation’s No. 22 overall prospect has a commitment decision to make this afternoon.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder will choose between LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M. The home-state Tigers were considered the favorite for much of the past year, but in the past few months they have fallen back. Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M looked to be the biggest threats, according to Texas insider Gerry Hamilton.
The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) was favoring the Longhorns as well, but the winds have shifted toward their in-state rivals.
Latest buzz is around the Aggies
The Aggies now hold a 72.9 percent chance of securing his commitment, per the RPM. That follows expert picks in Texas A&M’s favor from both Hamilton and On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman.
“The Longhorns are not only the only team from Texas with late momentum in this race,” Spiegelman wrote Thursday night. “Under Elijah Robinson’s watch, the Aggies have come on very strong this spring and are among the teams generating a lot of buzz from well-placed sources with knowledge of this recruitment and those involved. Texas A&M also checks off a major box from an educational angle, as well as proximity to home, and it’s well-documented that McKinley holds Robinson’s resume in high regard.
… Outside of LSU, College Station is the closest SEC program to Lafayette, La. The McKinley Family plans to be at Bill Dotson Stadium to watch their youngest son Darryus McKinley on Friday nights and also in the stands for Dominick on Saturdays. In regard to the Aggies, one source told On3 it would be “crazy to rule them out” as a legitimate landing spot late, and down the stretch, no team has created more of a stir than Texas A&M.”
Dominick McKinley Recruiting Profile
McKinley, who played both tackle and end during the 2022 season, landed Class 5A all-state honorable mention honors after a strong junior season. He finished the season with 86 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a touchdown against some of the state’s top competition.
In addition to checking in as the No. 22 prospect nationally, he is the No. 1 recruit in Louisiana and No. 5 defensive line recruit in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“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.”