Ohio State Gets Chance to Flip Defensive Recruit Targeted by LSU
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The Ohio State Buckeyes have more flip targets coming to visit for the UCLA game. OSU successfully plucked Tennessee commit Legend Bey already.
Now a defensive recruit targeted by LSU is taking in Columbus.
Who Ohio State Gets the Chance to Flip
Darryus McKinley is heading to the Horseshoe, per Garrick Hodge of 247Sports.
He's a defender OSU started prioritizing after a highly-publicized firing.
"McKinley picked up an offer from OSU on Oct. 31, a few days after LSU fired Brian Kelly," Hodge wrote.
There's one more connection the 2026 talent has with the Baton Rouge Southeastern Conference power.
"The 6-foot-3, 270-pound prospect is the younger brother of LSU defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, who was a priority Ohio State five-star recruiting target in the 2024 cycle," Hodge said.
Ohio State Still Has Room to Add in Trenches
OSU's interest in the LSU target out of Acadiana High signifies that the Buckeyes aren't done boosting the trenches.
"Ohio State has five defensive line commits at the moment, but the Buckeyes are open to building their trench depth for this cycle," Hodge adds.
OSU already landed one high-profile trench talent in four-star Emanuel Ruffin of Bessemer, Ala. He was previously heading to Deion Sanders at Colorado but flipped to the Buckeyes on Nov. 9.
California talent Khary Wilder at Serra High in Gardena is another four-star for OSU's 2026 class. Though Wilder chose OSU in June 2025.
McKinley, meanwhile, ascended to stardom for his senior season. He's delivered an astonishing 27 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble and recovered one for his high school.
He chose LSU back on Aug. 1. But the Tigers have since lost multiple players on the recruiting trail amid Kelly's firing. Kelly went 34-14 overall in Baton Rouge but never won an SEC title with LSU, nor even took his team to the College Football Playoffs.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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