DOMINICK MCKINLEY 2026 PROFILE

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

For 2 seasons at LSU, Dominick McKinley hasn't taken over starting duties or maybe launched off into the stratosphere as many expected, but it's also true McKinley, immediately upon arrival as a freshman, was forced to battle through injuries, poor outings from the entire defensive unit & staff, and bad rotations by coaches over 2 years that failed to fully satisfy, make routine plays, or get the Louisiana native into a rhythm:

So far in purple and gold, McKinley has appeared in 516 snaps, delivered 15 total pressures, 4 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 19 tackles over 2 limited campaigns, hinting at what could be possible in flashes, while remaining mostly disappointing.

When LSU needed someone to step up along their interior defensive line, McKinley was nowhere to be found most of the time, either on the sidelines or, like his front seven teammates, struggling vs opposition rushing attacks.

It's not all on him, this is a player LSU have mismanaged so far....but now it is on his shoulders to produce regardless of any adversity.

In 2026, Dominick McKinley is the kind of player I expect Ed Orgeron will coach up to the maximum, hopefully into the kind of interior force he should and can be.

There is a reason A&M were ready to drop yachts-worth of cash at McKinley for his signature...that was until he flipped his commitment & signed with his hometown Tigers.

Now it's time for the third year defensive tackle to start wrecking O-linemen, snapping a few quarterbacks, blasting ball carriers into submission, blowing up protections, and most of all, breaking the will of his trench opponents...

After a season where LSU's defensive line and edge rushers combined for a pitiful 14.5 sacks altogether, creating plenty of havoc without much backfield payoff, Blake Baker's Bayou Bandits 3.0 need players like McKinley, trench athletes who can make game-altering plays up front, to deliver in 2026.

In my view, "Dominant" McKinley should be an absolute monster wearing purple and gold, and 2026 might just be the right mix of roster and staff to draw out game-changing results from his abundant skill set.

A school like LSU shouldn't be able to mismanage a player of this caliber....but on the cusp of his junior season, it's time both player & program work like hell to fulfill his promise over this crucial period for both the sake of McKinley's career and the success of LSU's season.

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

©️ 2026 Uninterrupted Writings Inc