LSU Football: Five-Star Freshman Defensive Tackle Dominick McKinley Turning Heads

McKinley continues turning heads during summer workouts, adding significant size.

LSU freshman defensive tackle Dominick McKinley working through summer workouts in Baton Rouge. /

LSU freshman defensive tackle Dominick McKinley has arrived in Baton Rouge with the five-star freshman quickly making a name for himself.

McKinley, the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana, revealed his commitment to Brian Kelly and the Tigers in December before putting pen to paper in February.

For Kelly and defensive line coach Bo Davis, the addition of McKinley quickly became a critical move due to lack of depth within the interior defensive line.

Now, McKinley has made his way to Baton Rouge and is quickly turning heads in Death Valley.

The freshman phenom hovered around the 275-285 pound range during his senior year of high school with Acadiana (La.), but has bulked up significantly this offseason.

McKinley is now listed at 6-foot-6, 316 pounds heading into his first season with the Bayou Bengals.

LSU freshman DT Dominick McKinley has bulked up to 316 pounds as he prepares for Year 1 in Baton Rouge.

The 5-star, No. 1 prospect in Louisiana made his way to campus and immediately continued his progress in the weight room.

He’s currently listed at 6’6, 316 pounds for Year 1. pic.twitter.com/sr6Cnf8m10

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) June 27, 2024

It's plain and simple: McKinley is expected to take snaps during his first season in Baton Rouge due to depth issues and the Tigers have been pleased with his development so far.

He hit the weight room with force during the spring on his own and carried his momentum once enrolling at LSU during the summer.

According to a source, McKinley has been impressive this offseason and gelling with his teammates quickly.

The transition to SEC ball is challenging for any position group, but when it comes to defensive line, it's a significant adjustment. For McKinley, he'll be expected to take significant snaps down the stretch of the season.

LSU added McKinley and transfers Jay'Viar Suggs (Grand Valley State) and Gio Paez (Wisconsin) this offseason in order to add depth up front.

Veteran defensive lineman Jacobian Guillory can be pencilled in as a starter, but who is alongside him for Week 1 agaisnt USC will be a piece to monitor.

We'll see McKinley, Suggs and Paez battle it out for the second defensive tackle slot with offensive lineman turned defensive lineman Kimo Makeneole also entering the mix.

For McKinley, he's been impressive this offseason after adding nearly 40 pounds and will be a critical piece to the freshman class moving forward.

Here's a current look into LSU's defensive tackle room:

The Veterans: Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee

Guillory and Lee handled a majority of LSU's first team reps during spring camp over the two month stretch where Guillory has been pencilled in as a starter. The fifth-year senior returned to Baton Rouge with an opportunity to take control of this position group and has done so this offseason.

The 6-foot-2, 320-pounder looked the part during spring camp and quickly became a vocal leader for this defense. He took first team reps throughout camp and didn't skip a beat while in position to replace snaps taken by both Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith.

When it comes to Lee, the second-year Tiger was lined up next to Guillory for most of camp. The Florida transfer will be in line to take key snaps this offseason with a lack of depth with this position group. At 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, he's lightened up a bit and looked more mobile during spring camp.

It was a battle throughout spring ball for Lee. He was splitting reps with offensive lineman turned defensive lineman Kimo Makane'ole for first team duties and must have a strong offseason in order take impactful snaps this fall.

The Youngsters: De'Myrion Johnson, Shone Washington, Preston Hickey and Ahmad Breaux

Johnson... The true freshman arrived in Baton Rouge this offseason and was thrust into key snaps due to the Tigers' lack of depth. A player who will need time to season his game, Johnson is a defensive tackle who may ultimately redshirt in Year 1 with the program while he gets acclimated to the college game. Long term, look for the youngster to take strides in the right direction.

Washington... A JUCO transfer, Washington made his way to Death Valley with high hopes. After being previously committed to LSU out of high school, he opted to sign with the Georgia Bulldogs for his freshman campaign before going the JUCO route. Once again on the recruiting scene, Washington became a coveted target for Power Five programs with LSU landing his signature. It'll be intriguing to see the snaps he takes this fall in Death Valley given he may need time to reach that next level.

Hickey... The walk-on took second team snaps during spring camp and was an impressive rotational player for the Tigers when they needed him. Now, with LSU looking to add reinforcements via the NCAA Transfer Portal, we'll monitor where Hickey falls on the depth chart.

Breaux... Early-enrollee Ahmad Breaux has switched positions. After arriving in Baton Rouge as a defensive end, Breaux recently moved to the interior defensive line given the depth issues the program currently has. The freshman currently stands at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, but will certainly need to put on significant size to make an impact sooner rather than later. Nonetheless, he'll be an intriguing prospect for LSU long term.

The Signee: Dominick McKinley

The five-star freshman arrived in Death Valley this summer where he will immediately be thrusted into a key role for LSU. Defensive line coach Bo Davis landed a commitment from his guy earlier this year and never looked back after McKinley officially put pen to paper in February. Now, the five-star signee will have all eyes on him this offseason leading into the season opener against USC given he'll be a player who must take snaps.

The Transfer Additions: Jay'Viar Suggs and Gio Paez

Bo Davis and the LSU staff added a pair of defensive tackles via the free agent market this spring with Grand Valley State's Jay'Viar Suggs being the second to announce his commitment.

Suggs, who had significant interest in the Transfer Portal, chose LSU over a slew of programs including Michigan, USC, Kentucky and Florida State, among others.

The Michigan native will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at LSU after spending five years with Grand Valley State.

Suggs took a redshirt year in his first season with the program with the following season in 2020 being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 6-foot-3, 282-pounder tallied 21 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in 2022 with GVSU.

The following season in 2023, Suggs remained consistent after logging 21 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks with 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Suggs has been a consistent contributor at the Division II level, but he's clearly ready to take it up a notch at a Power Four school.

Now, he joins an LSU roster where he will have an opportunity to step right in and earn a starting spot alongside veteran defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory if all goes accordingly.

Suggs became the second transfer portal commitment for the Tigers during the spring after the Tigers added Wisconsin defensive tackle Gio Paez.

The Wisconsin transfer made his way down South this summer where he will be a key rotational piece for the Tigers during the 2024 season.

Paez is from Los Angeles, California and redshirted his first season with the Badgers. In year two, he played in just one game, but it counted as the COVID season in 2020. Over the last three seasons, he’s played 32 games and logged 36 tackles.

With five-star signee Dominick McKinley, Suggs and the current defensive tackles working through summer workouts, there's significant intrigue into what the defensive line can become.

Look for defensive end Paris Shand and/or Sai'vion Jones to cross-train this summer with the ability to play both inside and out.

Other LSU News:

LSU Football: Tigers Trending for No. 1 Wide Receiver in Louisiana

The LSU Baseball Portal Haul: Jay Johnson Dominating Transfer Market

The Recap: LSU Football Lands Four Commitments During Pivotal Recruiting Stretch

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Country: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.