Eric Boggs
With the early signing period set to open next Wednesday, December 3, Ohio State secured a significant and timely addition to its 2026 recruiting class by flipping three-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley from LSU. As the Buckeyes work to finalize their class before signatures begin rolling in, McKinley’s pledge provides both depth and versatility to a defensive line group that has surged late in the cycle.
The Louisiana native had been committed to LSU since August, originally planning to play alongside his older brother, Dominick. But after LSU fired Brian Kelly and began a search for a new head coach, Ohio State moved quickly. The Buckeyes offered McKinley on October 30—just four days after the shakeup in Baton Rouge—and immediately became a legitimate threat to flip him. By Sunday, McKinley made the call, choosing stability, development, and a clear plan under Larry Johnson and Ryan Day.
McKinley brings impressive production to the class, having played primarily defensive end at Acadiana High School. His senior season numbers—72 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks—showcase a disruptive, high-motor defender capable of playing multiple spots along the line. At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, he already has the frame to slide inside at the college level if needed.
Ranked No. 600 nationally and No. 73 among defensive linemen in the 2026 class, McKinley becomes Ohio State’s sixth defensive line commit, joining a group headlined by four-stars Emanuel Ruffin, Khary Wilder, Damari Simeon, and Dre Quinn, along with three-star defensive tackle Jamir Perez. His decision also comes at an important moment, as the Buckeyes had just lost three-star defensive tackle Cameron Brickle, who flipped to Maryland earlier in the week.
Perhaps just as notable is that McKinley continues a clear trend in Ohio State’s late-cycle momentum: he becomes the eighth November commitment in the class, and the seventh prospect this month to flip to the Buckeyes from another school. That list includes Ruffin, Quinn, cornerback Jay Timmons, ATH Legend Bey, offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm, tight end Nick Lautar, and linebacker Braxton Rembert.
With McKinley in the fold, Ohio State now boasts 28 commitments in what is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most balanced classes in the nation heading into next Wednesday’s early signing period.
The Buckeyes have addressed needs across the board—landing elite firepower with five-star receiver Chris Henry Jr., securing cornerstone defenders like Wilder and Cincere Johnson, and building out the trenches with standout linemen such as Sam Greer and Maxwell Riley. Adding a versatile, productive defender like McKinley at this stage only strengthens a class that is rounding into form at exactly the right time.
With signing day just around the corner, Ohio State continues to close strong—and McKinley is the latest proof that the Buckeyes are finishing this cycle with purpose.
