The recruit that LSU Football must go get in lieu of Colin Simmons

There is little to gripe about regarding the 2024 LSU Football recruiting class. Nevertheless, Brian Kelly needs a 5-star, and Louisiana’s top recruit fits the mold.

LSU Football put a lot of time and attention into recruiting 5-star EDGE Colin Simmons. Unfortunately, Simmons opted to stay in his home state and committed to the Texas Longhorns on Thursday.

The Tigers exited Thursday with a Top 100 player in Simmons’s Duncanville (Tx.) high school teammate, running back Caden Durham. However, Brian Kelly’s 2024 recruiting class remains void of a 5-star prospect and headliner. However, there’s a major recruit within striking distance that checks many boxes for LSU Football.

Dominick McKinley is the top HS recruit in Louisiana and (now) Kelly’s top priority for his 2024 class.

McKinley is a 6-5, 280-pound monster that played along the interior defensive line and defensive end in 2022. On3’s profile sheds more light on what LSU Football gains by securing the commitment of the Lafayette (La.) prospect.

"“[McKinley] finished the season with 86 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a touchdown against some of the state’s top competition. Along with his play on the field, he prides himself on being a good leader for teammates. “I feel like I have a big role with directing and telling them how to do it and what to do,” McKinley said."

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Kelly building a recruiting wall around Louisiana. As it stands, Kelly has secured commitments from nine of the top 12 in-state recruits. Suffice it to say that adding Louisiana’s top-rated player, Dominick McKinley sends a solid message to the programs recruiting in the Southeast.

LSU Football is not letting the top homegrown talent get away.

On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine slightly favors the Texas Longhorns (49.7%) regarding the odds of landing McKinley’s pledge. The Tigers aren’t far behind at 42.8%.

I expect LSU to retake the lead as they ramp up efforts to persuade McKinley to remain in his home state. It is also fair to assume the Longhorns are not as aggressive in recruiting McKinley, knowing that Simmons is headed to Austin in 2024.