Top class of 2026 defensive lineman trending to land with brother at LSU

After a short lull in recruiting news over the past month or so, coach Brian Kelly and LSU football has once again made headlines after most recently being predicted to land four-star class of 2026 defensive lineman Darryus McKinley out of Lafayette, LA.

LSU football receives expert prediction to land four-star class of 2026 defensive lineman Darryus McKinley

Former five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley hasn’t even been on campus for one full season, but it already appears that he’s leaving a major impact on the future of the LSU football program.

Being the older brother of four-star class of 2026 defensive lineman Darryus McKinley, there’s always been the possibility of a potential two-for-one deal, but in today’s world of recruiting, there’s simply no way to predict something like that, especially when considering there’s a two year difference between the defensive line duo.

However, as of early Thursday afternoon, the possibility is starting to feel much more realistic, as On3 recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong went ahead and logged an expert prediction for the Tigers to ultimately land the blue chip talent out of Acadiana High School.

FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for LSU to land 2026 4-star DL Darryus McKinley🐯

Darryus is the younger brother of LSU DL Dominick McKinley.

Read: https://t.co/nCEycgUzUj pic.twitter.com/XMK7k3LUpY

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) September 19, 2024

Officially listed as a 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman out of Lafayette, LA, the younger McKinley is already being viewed as one of the top players in the entire class of 2026, even despite being slightly undersized for the time being.

Rated as a four-star recruit, the class of 2026 defensive lineman ranks as the No. 162 player nationally, according to 247Sports, as well as the No. 9 player in Louisiana.

As a sophomore, McKinley, alongside his older brother Dominick, helped Acadiana to an 11-3 record overall, making it all the way to the Louisiana Division I State Championship, falling just short against Catholic High School.

In that same season, the talented defender managed to record 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and an impressive 11 quarterback hurries, utilizing his slightly smaller frame to slip past opposing offensive linemen and cause chaos in the backfield all season long.

As we stand today, the LSU football class of 2026 currently ranks No. 9 nationally, with four total commitments – all of which are currently based out of New Orleans, LA. Adding a player of McKinley’s caliber would not only give coach Brian Kelly and his future team a second elite defensive lineman, but also a third four-star pledge en route to locking down the state of Louisiana in yet another recruiting cycle.

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