Blue chip DL Darryus McKinley includes LSU football within top four

Currently in the midst of dominating at Under Armour’s Next camp in New Orleans, class of 2026 defensive lineman Darryus McKinley – the younger brother of current LSU football defender Dominick McKinley – most recently included the Tigers in his latest list of top four landing spots.

Class of 2026 defensive lineman Darryus McKinley includes LSU football within latest list of top four schools

Brother duos on the defensive side of the ball are nothing new for the Brian Kelly led LSU Tigers. As a matter of fact, entering the third straight season with West, and Whit Weeks putting in work at the linebacker position (soon to be joined by class of 2025 brother Zach Weeks), it’s almost come to be expected when turning on the purple and gold on Saturdays in the fall.

That said, we might be in danger of the streak coming to a close, depending on a few factors this coming season. For starters, both West and Whit could be on their way out in 2025, as both are set to be eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft, with Whit entering his junior season.

Fortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean the brotherhood has to come to a close for the LSU football defense, as the brother of former five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley – Darryus McKinley – is officially entering his senior season for Acadiana High School. With that, depending on his college decision later this year, he very well has the potential to end up suiting up for the purple and gold alongside his older brother on the Tiger defensive line.

While there’s still the matter of earning his commitment, it’s important to note that the possibility is becoming more, and more real, as he’s not only from in-state Lafayette, but he also most recently included LSU within his list of top four potential landing spots, alongside Florida, Tennessee and Texas.

NEWS: Four-Star DL Darryus McKinley is down to 4️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 270 DL from Lafayette, LA is ranked as a Top 3 DL in Louisiana (per On3)

Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/i52Su8tT7V pic.twitter.com/ChRrqwjNUc

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 10, 2025

Officially listed as a 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman, McKinley – despite being just smaller than his older brother Dominick – almost certainly has your prototypical frame for a college-level defensive lineman, with the potential to add muscle weight over the next year or so.

Currently rated as the No. 371 player nationally, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, as well as the No. 10 player in-state, McKinley enters his senior season already viewed highly on the national stage, and has the potential to raise that stock even higher. As a junior in 2024, the Acadiana standout logged 67 total tackles to go along with 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.

These reps were TOUGH 😳 @MckinleyDarryus

ESPN Jr. 300 No. 253 prospect Darryus McKinley dominating at UA Next in New Orleans‼️ #UANext pic.twitter.com/2N3SPrNhzj

— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) March 10, 2025

LSU football class of 2026 commitments (ratings according to On3 Industry Rankings)

• 4-star DL Richard Anderson (New Orleans, LA)
• 4-star S Aiden Hall (New Orleans, LA)
• 4-star OT Brysten Martinez (Gonzales, LA)
• 4-star WR Kenny Darby (Bossier City, LA)
• 4-star WR Jakai Anderson (New Orleans, LA)
• 3-star IOL Jalan Chapman (New Orleans, LA)

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