Brian Kelly’s best recruit at LSU named one of the freakiest athletes across college football entering his second season
There’s a big reason why five star talents are so highly coveted. The path to elite playmaker status on gamedays is the same for all athletes, but top-tier prospects have the athleticism and physical traits that allow them to overcome other limitations and competition. When Brian Kelly landed five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley in the […]
There’s a big reason why five star talents are so highly coveted. The path to elite playmaker status on gamedays is the same for all athletes, but top-tier prospects have the athleticism and physical traits that allow them to overcome other limitations and competition. When Brian Kelly landed five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley in the 2024 recruiting class, the massive 308-pounder was seen as the future of his defense.
Year 1 of McKinley’s career was short of Earth-shattering, but no one really expects 18-year-old tackles to dominate the SEC. He logged three sacks in 146 snaps across 10 games. He was credited with four additional QB hurries and six run stops.
But 2025 hype is building. McKinley has transformed his body and is now incredibly strong. Bruce Feldman has McKinley as the sixth-most athletic player in all of college football.
Here’s what Feldman shared in his annual Freaks List:
“A five-star D-lineman who had three sacks in his debut season looks like he’s just getting warmed up. The defense has some high-level athleticism in its front seven this year, with Harold Perkins, a 225-pound linebacker who hit 22.4 mph, and Florida transfer Jack Pyburn, who bench pressed 425 pounds and set an LSU record with a bench peak power output of 2200+ watts, also deserving some Freaks love.
But it’s McKinley who really stands out and probably will be even higher on this list next year. The 6-6, 308-pound sophomore vertical jumped 35 inches, broad jumped 10 feet and power cleaned an astounding 418 pounds.
“We ran out of weights for him to max squat,” said head coach Brian Kelly. “It’s a 650-pound max squat. I throw that out to you to show how powerful he is. He’s such a great kid. He’s grounded every single day, he has elite strength and he’s going to play a major role in what we do.””
He’ll be part of a defensive tackle rotation that includes fifth-year senior Jacobian Guillory, senior Bernard Gooden, and sophomore Ahmad Breaux.
