La Salle High Star Offensive Tackle Ryan McKeough Narrows Final College Football Choices to Penn State, Notre Dame, and Texas
Ryan McKeough, one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 high school football class, has taken the next major step in his recruitment journey. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound standout from La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has trimmed his list of prospective college football programs down to three: Penn State, Notre Dame, and Texas. After months of evaluations, campus visits, and in-depth conversations with coaching staffs, McKeough believes these three schools best represent the ideal mix of academics, football tradition, player development, and culture that he is seeking.
Regarded as a consensus top-100 overall recruit and one of the top 10 offensive tackles in the country, McKeough’s decision carries weight not just due to his size and athleticism, but also because of his cerebral approach to the game. Coaches and scouts rave about his combination of power, technique, and intelligence. At La Salle, he’s been a multi-year starter, anchoring a line that helped produce a potent running game while also protecting the quarterback with consistency. His pass-blocking fundamentals are well ahead of most high school linemen, and his mobility at his size has intrigued Power Five programs across the nation.
McKeough made his announcement via social media, with a post that included images from each of the three schools and a caption that read simply, “Final Three. I’m grateful for the journey so far. Let’s finish this the right way.” While he hasn’t set a firm commitment date, sources close to his recruitment believe he’s eyeing a decision sometime before the start of his senior season. That means one of three storied programs—each with its own rich legacy and current competitive edge—will soon land a prized piece for its 2026 offensive line.
Each of the final contenders offers something unique to McKeough. Penn State has long been known for its strong offensive line tradition, particularly under head coach James Franklin, who has turned Happy Valley into a consistent Big Ten contender. The Nittany Lions have recently elevated their recruiting across the trenches, and McKeough fits the mold of what they’ve prioritized in the trenches—size, athleticism, and toughness. McKeough visited State College twice this year, most recently for a spring practice session in March, where he got to spend time with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. Trautwein has developed multiple NFL linemen in recent years and made it clear during McKeough’s visit that he would be a cornerstone piece in Penn State’s future plans.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, presents a strong combination of elite academics and top-tier football. The Irish, under Marcus Freeman, have placed a renewed emphasis on building dominant offensive lines, staying true to the program’s long-standing identity. Freeman, a Cincinnati native and former Ohio State linebacker, has made recruiting the Cincinnati area a priority. His Ohio ties and the Fighting Irish’s proximity to McKeough’s home have only helped their chances. Notre Dame already boasts one of the strongest 2025 offensive line classes, and adding McKeough would only bolster a unit expected to be among the nation’s best for years to come.
McKeough visited South Bend earlier this spring and was reportedly impressed not only by the facilities and staff but also by the academic support systems in place. He has spoken in past interviews about how much he values education and personal development beyond football. The Irish’s reputation for producing high-character linemen who excel both on the field and in the classroom has resonated with McKeough and his family.
Texas might be the outlier geographically, but the Longhorns’ pitch to McKeough has been powerful. Steve Sarkisian has turned the program into a recruiting juggernaut, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. With Texas heading into its first season in the SEC, the staff has been aggressive in targeting elite linemen capable of handling the physicality of the conference. Kyle Flood, the Longhorns’ offensive line coach and a key figure in Alabama’s title-winning 2020 team, has made McKeough a personal priority. Flood has a track record of developing linemen into early-round NFL Draft picks, which has not gone unnoticed.
The Longhorns have also made McKeough feel like a top priority, flying him out for an unofficial visit in April and hosting him for a personal tour of Austin and the football facilities. McKeough met with Flood and Sarkisian extensively and attended a team practice, where he observed the Longhorns’ up-tempo system and physical line play firsthand. While the distance may seem like a hurdle, Texas’ football-first approach and clear vision for McKeough have helped offset any geographic disadvantages.
Despite the attention from dozens of Power Five programs, McKeough has handled the recruiting process with poise. Those close to him describe him as mature beyond his years, often focused more on tape and fit than social media or fan buzz. He’s made it clear in past interviews that development, winning culture, and relationships with coaches matter more than logos or hype. This mindset has made him a favorite among college coaches, who see in McKeough not just a high-upside athlete, but also a future locker-room leader.
As McKeough prepares for his senior year at La Salle, all eyes will be on how he balances recruitment with leading his team. He’s expected to be named a team captain and has already become a mentor to younger players on the roster. His coaches have described him as a “student of the game” who studies film relentlessly and never takes a rep off, whether in practice or under the Friday night lights.
The timeline for his commitment is likely to accelerate as summer official visits begin. McKeough is expected to take official visits to all three schools in June, giving him a final up-close look at the programs before making his decision. While each school has its advantages, those close to the recruitment say it may ultimately come down to relationships and long-term development. Trautwein at Penn State, Freeman and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph at Notre Dame, and Flood at Texas have all gone the extra mile to build trust with McKeough and his family.
From a recruiting landscape perspective, McKeough’s decision will be closely watched. Offensive linemen of his caliber don’t come along often, and his commitment could have ripple effects for each of the three programs. For Penn State and Notre Dame, both of which are looking to reload up front after some key NFL Draft departures, McKeough represents a potential Day 1 contributor by his second year. For Texas, landing a Midwest talent of his caliber would underscore the Longhorns’ growing national reach and recruiting power in the new-look SEC.
Beyond the football implications, McKeough’s story also reflects the evolving nature of high school recruiting. He’s a poster child for the modern lineman—big, agile, well-spoken, and intentional about his future. NIL opportunities, while not believed to be the primary focus for him, are also part of the equation. All three schools have solid NIL structures in place, but McKeough has repeatedly stressed that his choice will be rooted in where he feels most prepared to grow as both a player and a person.
The final decision will surely come with a public commitment video, likely one filled with thank-yous to La Salle, his family, and the many coaches who have guided him along the way. But behind the scenes, it will come down to where McKeough feels he can be challenged, developed, and supported for the next three to five years.
For now, the recruiting battle enters its final stretch. Three powerhouse programs are still in play, and each has made their case. But the clock is ticking. Whether he chooses the Big Ten grind with Penn State, the academic prestige and tradition of Notre Dame, or the bold new frontier of SEC football with Texas, Ryan McKeough will be a name to remember in the 2026 college football landscape. Wherever he lands, that program will be getting more than just an elite offensive tackle—they’ll be getting a future cornerstone.
