Syracuse Football: 5-star defensive lineman who ‘Cuse had visited commits to LSU

There was a little chatter among some national analysts that Syracuse football could be in the mix for an official visit from 2024 five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley from Louisiana.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound McKinley had been verbally committed to Texas A&M out of the Southeastern Conference since early September.

The Aggies, though, have a new head coach in former Duke boss Mike Elko. The primary recruiter for McKinley at Texas A&M was new ‘Cuse defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson, who most recently served as the Aggies’ interim head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Last month, the Orange was one of numerous schools to conduct in-home visits with the standout senior out of Acadiana High School in Lafayette, La.

Given McKinley’s recruiting connection to Robinson, Syracuse football fans had hoped that McKinley would ultimately take a visit to the ‘Cuse, but it doesn’t seem that will end up transpiring.

Five-star senior DL Dominick McKinley had interest from Syracuse football.

On January 1, On3 national recruiting expert Hayes Fawcett and others reported that McKinley had flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to another SEC member, LSU.

Candidly, this decision isn’t a big surprise, given that LSU is a strong SEC squad and also an in-state team for McKinley.

In recent weeks, various national recruiting analysts had discussed possible upcoming visits for McKinley, with the talented 2024 prospect eyeing trips to both LSU and Tennessee later this month.

Some experts noted that other suitors, such as Syracuse football, were also possible visit destinations for McKinley.

He didn’t sign with Texas A&M during the early signing period last month. The traditional National Signing Day for 2024 players arrives on February 7.

Both of the industry-generated rating systems, the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Industry Ranking, place McKinley as a top-30 national prospect in the 2024 class, a top-six defensive lineman and the No. 1 player in Louisiana.

Within its 2024 class, the Orange coaching staff has secured commitments from several defensive linemen, including interior tackles and ends/edge rushers.

Those ‘Cuse pledges include four-star Texas A&M junior Fadil Diggs, three-star New Mexico State junior Dion Wilson Jr., three-star Maraad Watson of Irvington High School in Irvington, N.J., three-star Jahide Lesaine Jr. of Irvington High School in Irvington, N.J., four-star KingJoseph Edwards of Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga., and three-star Caden Brown of Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.