Texas trending for 5-star DL Dominick McKinley according to On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine

Texas is the new leader in the recruitment of Lafayette (La.) Acadiana five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

McKinley is the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 5 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Louisiana.

McKinley told On3 that he expects to commit before his senior season begins on September 1.

“Going into the season, I don’t want to be distracted,” McKinley said. “After, I want to start getting ready and then be ready for when I get to college next year.”

As of now, Texas has a 49.7% chance to land McKinley’s commitment in the RPM. But the race is neck and neck, with LSU a close second at 42.8%.

“The relationships are good. We text every day,” McKinley said of Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis. “They’re really set on getting me over there at Texas.”

McKinley has visited Austin multiple times this year, including for an official visit the week of June 23.

“How much they have around Austin, around Texas,” McKinley said on the highlights of his time at Texas. “How close they are and how great it is over there.”

LSU battling with Texas for McKinley

McKinley was on campus at LSU last weekend — the last visit he will take before committing according to On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman.

“Everyone was having fun,” McKinley said. “I know when it’s time for the season, they’re serious and they’re ready to win, but the Bayou Splash — they know how to have fun and relax a little bit.”

McKinley did not take an official visit to Baton Rouge in June, but has visited the Tigers a number of times in 2023.

“I like how energetic he is. He’s a great guy,” he said about defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. “They’re trying to improve and I see them trying to improve and be better every year. It’s a set goal they have and it’s good to see.”

McKinley currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $204K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.