Right now, nothing trumps getting prepared for The Game for the Ohio State football team. It's all hands on deck this week as they prepare to end a four-game losing streak to Michigan. The Buckeyes are fully focused on that, although some recruits are still getting contacted.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have done a great job of flipping recruits over the last few weeks, really helping them improve their recruiting class for 2026. Right now, they have the sixth-best class in the country. On Wednesday night, the Buckeyes were able to add to that class.
Ohio State was able to flip three-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley from LSU. With Brian Kelly no longer employed by the university, the Buckeyes were able to get him to change his pledge. Ohio State isn't finished flipping recruits before Early Signing Day, either.
The Ohio State football team flips three-star defensive lineman
McKinley stands at 6'3 and 270 pounds. He had been committed to LSU since August, so it has only been a few months. Adding McKinley now might be good news when the transfer portal opens, as well. The Buckeyes could try to poach his brother, Dominick McKinley.
Dominick McKinley was a five-star defensive lineman who signed with the Tigers in the 2024 class. If the Buckeyes add both brothers, that would really fortify the defensive line heading into next season. They will be losing several players up front again next year.
Ryan Day has clearly wanted to make adding recruits on the offensive and defensive lines a priority this recruiting cycle. That's what both Larry Johnson and Tyler Bowen have done. The depth in the trenches has been lacking in the last few recruiting classes.
This is just one victory for the Buckeyes. They want to add another one on Saturday against the Wolverines. They feel confident that they will be able to do just that.