Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
After Ohio State received just one commitment from a high school prospect in the state of Louisiana between 2000-25, Darryus McKinley became the second of two players from LSU's backyard to sign with the Buckeyes in the 2026 class, joining safety Blaine Bradford.
Darryus McKinley
- Size: 6-3/270
- Position: DL
- School: Acadiana (Lafayette, Louisiana)
- 247 Sports Composite: ★★★
- Composite Rank: #552 (#63 DL)
Background
McKinley originally committed to LSU in August 2025, but things changed quickly after Ohio State offered him on Oct. 30, just four days after the Tigers fired Brian Kelly. He took an official visit to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ win over UCLA on Nov. 15, a trip that ultimately won him over.
Even with his older brother Dominick playing for LSU, McKinley flipped his commitment to Ohio State, becoming the sixth defensive lineman in the Buckeyes’ 2026 class.
McKinley started to break out as a disruptive force during his sophomore year of high school, recording 50 tackles (12 TFL), four sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. He followed that up with 50 tackles (18 TFL), 10 sacks and six pass breakups as a junior. As a senior, McKinley notched 72 tackles (27 TFL) and 9.5 sacks. He was named Academic All-Conference all four years of his high school career.
He played all over the defensive line throughout his high school career, but was primarily a defensive end at Acadiana. McKinley's production steadily improved each season on varsity, further showcasing his development with increased experience.
Scouting Report
McKinley has the strength to overpower smaller linemen, quickness off the line to get past linemen who are bigger than him and already flashes some of the moves needed to get in the backfield against similarly sized opponents.
With a quick first step, he consistently lived in opponents’ backfields as a high school player. He also brings positional versatility, showing the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up on the edge. While he’s starting his Ohio State career at defensive end, he could potentially also play defensive tackle for the Buckeyes.
Depth Chart Outlook
With a loaded group of defensive ends in 2026, including Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Beau Atkinson, Zion Grady, Epi Sitanilei, Alabama transfer Qua Russaw and fellow freshmen Khary Wilder and Dre Quinn, McKinley isn’t likely to see much playing time in year one.
Better Know A Buckeye
How McKinley develops over the course of his first couple of years in Columbus will determine whether he ultimately earns his way onto the defensive line two-deep in 2027 or 2028.
Player Comparison: Tyreke Smith
Smith was never the go-to defensive end for the Buckeyes during his four years in Columbus, but he continuously found ways to contribute.
After playing sparingly as a freshman, the 6-3, 260-pound defensive end notched 12 tackles (five TFL), three sacks and two pass deflections as a sophomore in 2019. He remained a constant in Ohio State’s defensive end rotation as a junior and senior.
In his final season as a Buckeye in 2021, Smith recorded 26 tackles (five TFL), three sacks, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, McKinley brings similar size and skills to the Buckeyes as Smith. Ohio State hopes he can carve out a similar career to Smith's by playing a consistent role in the rotation later in his career before taking his talents to the NFL.
