Keeping it in Family: Acadiana’s Darryus McKinley plans to follow older brother to LSU
by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
Since LSU began recruiting and ultimately signing five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley out of Acadiana High, the Tigers have always hoped they would be back to sign his younger brother.
LSU recruited Dominick and Darryus, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end, in tandem with the thought of celebrating such a day as Friday when the younger McKinley committed to the Tigers.
“They make everyone feel at home, and if you can’t feel that at a college, then you shouldn’t be there,” McKinley told Rivals. “The staff has treated me like I’m already a player over there … I already know a lot of them and they’re all great people.”
Dominick McKinley has grown into a 300-plus-pound sophomore projected to start on LSU’s defensive line when the Tigers open the season Aug. 30 at Clemson.
Darryus McKinley was able to enjoy the recruiting process along with his brother, sitting in on in-home visits, paying unofficial trips, and accompanying the tight-knit family on official visits.
When it was his turn, Darryus faced a list of finalists such as LSU, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, but opted for the Tigers, who relied on recruiters – defensive coordinator Blake Baker, tackles coach Kyle Williams, and ends coach Kevin Peoples.
The addition of Darryus McKinley boosts LSU’s Class of 2026 to 17 commitments and keeps the Tigers’ national team ranking at No. 8 according to On3/Rivals and No. 10 per 247Sports.
McKinley, whose father Derek played collegiately at UL-Lafayette, is the 10th in-state pledge and joins a growing list at defensive line that includes five-star commitments Lamar Brown of University High and Richard Anderson of Karr.
McKinley is the nation’s No. 477 overall prospect by On3. He’s the nation’s No. 48 defensive end and the state’s No. 16 player.
The Tigers first offered McKinley in July of 2023 and maintained a solid relationship with him during his brother’s recruiting process that ended with his signature in 2024.
Dominick McKinley played in 10 games as a true freshman a year ago, recording seven tackles with three tackles for losses for minus-13 yards. He also had a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.
Darryus McKinley, a 3.7 student, was a Class 5A All-State honorable mention selection in 2024. He helped the Wrecking Rams to a 9-1 regular season and District 3-5A championship, and a 9-2 overall record following a 28-27 loss to John Curtis in the Division I select state regional playoffs.
He totaled 43 tackles with 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage, eight sacks, and 11 QB hurries.
Moreover, McKinley threw the shot put and ran the 200 meters in track, and has a 32-inch vertical jump.