Every year within a given recruiting class, different subplots help tell the story about that class. Last year for Oklahoma, it was the pursuit of multiple five-star defenders to improve the overall defensive talent. The Sooners added a big group of blue-chip defensive backs in the 2023 signing class.
This year, defense reigns supreme again, but, more specifically, the pursuit of the best defensive line class Oklahoma has had in years. The Sooners are in good position for five-star defensive line prospects David Stone and Williams Nwaneri. They’re also well-positioned in the recruitment of four-star prospects Nigel Smith, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye and Xadavien Sims.
They’re looking to build a deep defensive line that will carry the weight up front as they move into the SEC.
That starts with winning battles involving five-star defensive linemen such as [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag]. McKinley is a versatile, dominant player from Louisiana who received his offer from the Oklahoma Sooners in January. The Sooners are also pursuing Dominick’s younger brother, Darryus.
Dominick McKinley checks in at 6-foot-5 and hovers around 290 pounds. He also participates in track and field. In his junior season, he posted 86 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown.
Per 247Sports, he is the No. 30 overall prospect, the No. 5 defensive tackle, and the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana. He has official visits scheduled with Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Texas.
Like the recruiting battles for the other five-star defensive linemen the Sooners are pursuing, Oklahoma will have its work cut out for it. However, with Brent Venables and Todd Bates’ track record, you can’t count the Sooners out of any defensive line recruitment until signing day.
Dominick McKinley’s Recruiting Profile
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