Texas trending for 5-star DL Dominick McKinley

Despite a slow start on the recruiting trail this spring, Texas is picking up momentum and looking to add to its top-20 class in the On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings in short order.

The Longhorns are already considered heavy favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for five-star cornerback Kobe Black and are in the midst of a neck-and-neck battle for five-stars Ryan Wingo and Brandon Baker.

But after landing Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons earlier this month, it’s along the defensive line where Texas could be adding a massive piece very soon. Five-star Lafayette (La.) Acadiana defensive lineman Dominick McKinley has emerged as the Longhorns’ top target at that position, and they’re trending to land him after the latest expert predictions.

Following a pick from InsideTexas.com’s Justin Wells, Texas holds a 66.6 percent chance of landing the nation’s No. 22 prospect, per the RPM. LSU, McKinley’s home state school, trails behind at 28.5 percent.

Longhorns battling LSU, Oklahoma and Ohio State down the stretch

McKinley is scheduled to announce his commitment in a little less than two weeks on Sept. 1, ahead of Acadiana’s season-opening game. In June, he named his top six schools, a list that included Texas. Also on it were Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU.

The Bulldogs have been on the outside looking in, while LSU, Texas and Oklahoma seemed to be the programs talked about most. Ohio State and Texas A&M have remained as darkhorse contenders though, according to On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman.

“In and around McKinley’s circle, much of the conversation has continued to center around three teams: Texas, LSU, and Oklahoma,” Spiegelman said Thursday. “But Ohio State remains a legitimate darkhorse contender for the elite big man. He has maintained lines of communication with each of his finalists, including Texas A&M.

… LSU got him on campus at the end of July for a visit, and they continue to push for the No. 1 player in the state. But Oklahoma and Texas both check a lot of boxes and the most buzz around their names right now.”

Dominick McKinley Recruiting Profile

In addition to ranking among the nation’s top 25 prospects regardless of position, McKinley is the country’s No. 5 defensive lineman and No. 1 recruit in Louisiana, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

He was named Louisiana 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.

On3’s Scouting and Rankings department writes this about him as a prospect:

“McKinley is an 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.”