LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and will forgo his final year of eligibility, he announced on Tuesday.
Wingo, who started the first seven games of the season, suffered a season-ending injury, but returned for the Tigers' ReliaQuest Bowl showdown on Jan. 1.
The heartbeat of LSU's defensive line had 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on the season. He made three tackles and two sacks against Wisconson in the 35-31 win on Monday to give LSU a 10-win season.
For Wingo, it was an impressive two-year stint in Baton Rouge. After transferring to LSU from Missouri in 2022, he earned Second Team All-SEC honors on his way to winning over the Tigers locker room.
Fast forward to his second season in Death Valley and Wingo was awarded the coveted No. 18 jersey for the purple and gold.
In 2021 at Missouri, Wingo tallied 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and an interception he returned for a touchdown against North Texas.
During his senior campaign at DeSmet High School, Wingo totaled 54 tackles as a senior in a COVID-shortened 2020 season. That followed a tremendous 2019 season when he had 97 tackles including 29 for loss and 15 sacks.
Now, he's off to the NFL Draft after a standout college campaign with both Missouri and LSU.
The Tigers will look to hold onto both defensive tackles Maason Smith and Jacobian Guillory with defensive line depth remaining a concern for this program during the offseason.
More must-reads: