Texas insider details key to Longhorns flipping Texas A&M 5-star DL commit Dominick McKinley

It’s been a successful recruiting cycle for Steve Sarkisian and Texas. The Longhorns have landed nearly every major target they pursued and now have 22 signees and the No. 5 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

There’s still room, however. Of the top recruits in the country that remain unsigned, Lafayette (La.) Acadiana five-star defensive lineman and Texas A&M commit Dominick McKinley is one that has garnered attention from multiple programs down the stretch.

Coaches from A&M, Texas, Tennessee and Syracuse, Oklahoma and LSU all went in-home with McKinley ahead of the opening of the Early Signing Period. McKinley has not backed off his pledge to the Aggies, but is not expected to sign until February. The Longhorns are hopeful that the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder’s commitment can be flipped by then.

“After choosing not to sign in December, there is a growing sentiment that McKinley won’t wind up playing in College Station when it’s all said and done,” On3’s Sam Spiegelman wrote on Thursday.

McKinley, the No. 27 prospect and No. 5 DL in the On3 Industry Ranking, has January visits scheduled with LSU and Tennessee. According to Texas recruiting insider Gerry Hamilton, final in-home visits could be what sways the elite lineman in the end, as well as a potential unofficial visit to The Forty Acres.

“He’s talked with all of these schools multiple times. He has the mid-January LSU official visit…Steve Sarkisian still has his in-home (visit), Bo Davis can still go by that school,” Hamilton said on The Inside Scoop. “That’s gonna be the key right there, the in-home visit with Sarkisian and Davis — and then, does he get back on campus unofficially in January?”

McKinley took an official visit to Austin in June. He committed to A&M on Sept. 1, but the Longhorns were in the running for his pledge and have not wavered in trying to lure the top-ranked player in The Boot away from his commitment. Following the firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher in College Station, multiple programs — including Texas – have turned up the heat.”

“I don’t think he has to for Texas to win, but I think if he ever makes a visit, if he makes an unofficial (visit) to Texas, I would say it’s game on for the Longhorns at that point,” Hamilton said.

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.”