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Signaling the climax of his collegiate career, LSU DL and honorary #18 Mekhi Wingo has made his long awaited decision, declaring for the NFL Draft after three years amid the college ranks.
Starting his collegiate career at Missouri, Mekhi was named to the All-SEC Freshman squad after 2021, showcasing his wide range of skills, including intercepting passes, grabbing sacks, stuffing the run, pressuring the QB, as well as batting down passes, Wingo became the 16th overall nationally ranked transfer portal target following his first collegiate year.
Wisely, LSU did everything possible to sign the De Smet state champion out of the portal, and though he was buried on the depth chart by Maason Smith, Jaquelin Roy, and Jacobian Guillory, Wingo's LSU career exploded from the second he replaced an injured Maason Smith to begin his first game, clear until his career high 2 sacks vs Wisconsin during his last:
His first appearance (vs FSU, Week 1 of 2022) was capped by a 4th quarter fumble recovery that helped LSU climb back into the game, only for a blocked PAT with no time remaining to break Tiger hearts after a spirited comeback led by Jayden Daniels, Jaray Jenkins and Wingo's standout play.
Who could forget the 2022 All-American's nonstop brilliance vs Ole Miss or Alabama during his first LSU season? Playing like a man possessed, Mekhi destroyed, obliterated and owned almost every SEC opponent he faced.
Wingo regularly topped the national run defense charts on Pro Football Focus for the bulk of the entire 2022 campaign, before echoing much of the same defensive production throughout 2023 while battling far more double teams.
Lesser known, the Missouri-born D-lineman dealt with & even played through 2 separate injuries in each of his 2 seasons, a torn labrum for much of 2022 and a groin injury this past fall, both requiring off-season surgeries.
Playing all 14 games in 2022, Wingo was sidelined after 7 games in 2023, before ending his truncated junior campaign with 2 sacks & 2 TFLs vs Wisconsin.
Projected anywhere from a 4th to 2nd round pick for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, Wingo's name constantly ends up among the top 10 valued defensive linemen within this year's Draft.
We congratulate Mekhi and thank him for his on field brilliance and off field humanity. Wingo always made time for volunteer work, helping the Baton Rouge community with a variety of projects.
The LSU #18 is a great person and I thank him for allowing LSU Odyssey to get to know him & his family over these past 2 seasons.
MEKHI WINGO LSU #'s
(22 games, 2 seasons)
1,210 SNAPS
71 TACKLES
39 PRESSURES
35 STOPS (Neg. Play By Tackle)
11 TFLs
7.5 SACKS
5 PBUs
2 FR
1 FF
TOTAL CAREER #'s
1,670 SNAPS
98 TACKLES
58 PRESSURES
45 STOPS
13 TFLs
8.5 SACKS
2 FR
1 FF
1 INT (Returned for TD)
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2024 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
Geaux be great, Mekhi!!! 💜💛💜🐯 #ForeverLSU
Thank you Mekhi, go earn some money, you deserve it.