Five-Star DL Dominick McKinley Latest Louisiana Star To Commit To LSU

LSU added 27 players to its football roster last Wednesday as the Tigers celebrated National Signing Day with a class rated as high as No. 11 in the nation.

Now, they've reeled in a pledge from the No. 1 player in Louisiana after five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley revealed his decision on New Year's Eve. 

LSU’s signing class included 17 players who prepped at Louisiana High Schools and six from the state of Texas, but with the addition of McKinley, it adds to an even more dominance to the talent pool. 

McKinley will put pen to paper during the later signing period in February. 

It's been an eye-opening stretch for LSU, but more importantly, Kelly is building a wall around Louisiana on the recruiting trail. 

“When we talk about recruiting and where our focus is, our focus is on the state of Louisiana,” Kelly said. “Our focus is on freshmen and it’s on a well-rounded student-athlete that recognizes the value of an LSU degree and wants to play for championships. That will be reflected in this class.”

The top-rated player in the LSU class (that has signed) is tight end Trey’Dez Green from Zachary. Green joins LSU after a stellar prep career, one that saw him star in both football and basketball. Green is the nation’s No. 1-ranked tight end and the top prospect in Louisiana.

Ju'Juan Johnson, from Lafayette Christian Academy. capped his prep career as Louisiana’s all-time leader in total offense (14,451 yards) and touchdowns (171).

Aside from McKinley, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound monster defensive lineman, here are a handful of 2024 LSU pledges to know. 

Five Louisiana Natives to Know:

Trey'Dez Green: 4-Star Tight End

Outstanding tight end prospect from Zachary High School, just a few miles north of Baton Rouge … Rated with 4-stars and considered the top prep prospect in the state of Louisiana for the Class of 2024 … Listed No. 35 overall nationally and the nation’s No. 1 tight end in the On3 composite … Two-sport standout who also excels in basketball … Described as a “once-in-a-generation type of player” by an opposing coach because of his elite athleticism with a 6-foot-7 frame… As a junior in 2022, had 45 receptions for 864 yards and 11 TDs … Had 350 receiving yards as a sophomore … On the basketball court, averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds as a junior in 2022 … Earned First-Team All-Stat honors in 2022 at East Feliciana High School … In 2023 state title game, caught 8 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown … Finished senior season with 53 receptions for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns … Coached by David Brewerton.

Ju'Juan Johnson: 4-Star Cornerback

The most productive high school quarterback in Louisiana prep history with a record 14,451 total yards and 171 total touchdowns, also a state record … Will play cornerback for the Tigers … Rated as a 4-star prospect and the nation’s No. 9 cornerback prospect in the On3 composite … Listed as the No. 9 overall prospect in Louisiana … Ranked as high as No. 6 overall in Louisiana by 247sports and No. 7 by Rivals … Led Lafayette Christian Academy to four straight appearances in the state championship game … Tallied 457 total yards (270 passing, 187 rushing) and 3 rushing TDs in 2023 state title game against St. Thomas More … As a junior in 2022, set state championship game record with 595 yards and 5 TDs in 52-48 defeat to St. Thomas More … Broke Brock Berlin’s Louisiana record for total offense in state quarterfinal win … Broke Nick Brossette’s Louisiana record for total touchdowns … Brossette, who played at LSU, currently serves as LSU’s director of high school and alumni relations … Finished prep career with over 10,500 passing yards and 117 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns … Tallied 8 TDs in a win over Acadiana in the 2023 season-opener … Rushed for 270 yards in a win over 5A Jesuit … In final game of high school career, accounted for 457 yards of total offense, including 192 rushing yards, and 3 TDs in Division II State Championship Game vs. St. Thomas More … As a junior, produced 5,487 yards of total offense and 60 touchdowns … Passed for 4,140 yards and 43 TDs and rushed for 1,347 yards and 17 scores in 2022 … As a senior, passed for 3,597 yards and 43 TDs and rushed for 1,484 yards and 25 touchdowns … Lafayette Christian Academy retired his No. 7 jersey following a quarterfinal playoff game in 2023 … One of 5 players nationally named as a finalist for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year … Coached by Hunter Landry.

Dashawn McBryde: 4-Star Safety

Tremendous safety prospect from Denham Springs High School, located just east of Baton Rouge … Rated with 4-stars and as the nation’s No. 4 safety prospect in the On3 composite … Rated the No. 3 overall prospect in Louisiana in the composite rankings … Helped Denham Springs to a 10-3 record and the quarterfinals of the 2022 Division I non-select playoffs … Two-time First-Team 5A All-State selection in 2022 and 2023 … Earned All-Livingston Parish honors and named All-District 5-5A choice…Finished his senior season with 51 tackles, 9 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and scored 3 defensive TDs … A multi-sport athlete who also competes in track and field… As a junior in 2022, set the school-record with 10 interceptions … Born in Utah but moved to Louisiana at a young age.

Kylan Billiot: 4-Star Wide Receiver

Standout in football, basketball and track and field at Terrebonne High School in Houma, La. … Wide receiver on the football team and point guard for the basketball team … Rated with 4-stars by 247Sports and Rivals … Composite 4-star ranking and listed as the nation’s No. 43 wide receiver and the No. 7 overall player in Louisiana … Rated as high as No. 4 overall in Louisiana by 247Sports … Invited to participate in the All-American Bowl … Earned 5A honorable mention All-State honors in basketball as a junior after averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 steals a game … Nearing 1,000 career points in basketball … Attends same high school that produced LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith … Described LSU as his “dream school” … On the track, has been clocked at 10.27 in the 100-meters and 20.39 in the 200.

Gabriel Reliford: 4-Star Defensive Lineman

Defensive line prospect who is considered one of the best at his position in the Class of 2024 … Rated with 4-stars in the On3 composite … Ranked as high as No. 7 nationally and No. 4 overall in Louisiana by On3 … Composite national ranking of No. 23 at his position and No. 6 overall in Louisiana … Tallied 251 tackles and 15 sacks over the span of junior and senior seasons … As a junior, racked up 129 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 6 sacks … Followed that with 122 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 21 QB hurries and a fumble recovery as a senior in 2023 … Capped career with 17 tackles vs. Shaw in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs … Comes from same school that produced former LSU standouts in Jacob Hester, Micah Baskerville and Jarrick Bernard-Converse.