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LSU DB Mekhi Garner announces NFL Draft decision

On3 imageby:Billy Embody•12/08/22•

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LSU DB Mekhi Garner. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

LSU defensive back Mekhi Garner announced his decision on whether to stay in Baton Rouge or head to the 2023 NFL Draft. Garner will turn pro and play in the East-West Shrine Game, he told On3 on Thursday.

This year, he was a key starter for the Tigers, notching 43 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups. He started all 13 games in 2022 for LSU.

Mekhi Garner transferred to LSU from Louisiana, where he was a key in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ secondary. Since arriving in Baton Rouge, he’s been lucky to go to an SEC Championship Game.

“When I came here and looked at the team, we had some bumps in the road here and there, but I always felt we were destined for greatness,” Garner said before the SEC title game. “Now in the SEC Championship, let’s just go win it. Let’s go shock everybody who doubted us. You see on social media everyone had us 6-6 or 7-5 and we exceeded that. We just trusted what Kelly was telling us.”

The 6-2, 217-pound defensive back compared his physicality and size to one of the best corners to come through LSU, Derek Stingley.

“I’m a different corner like Stingley,” Garner said before he arrived at LSU. “Me and Stingley are probably like similar. Big bodied corners. Ready to get into the fit if we got to. I’m very versatile, too. They’re going to put me at corner, but I can play other positions too just like Stingley. I think I’m going to roll into this program head on.”

Mekhi Garner was a Third Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2021 after he totaled 31 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. In 2020, he played in 11 games, earning eight starts. He was credited with 27 tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a sack en route to earning a Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference nod.

LSU balancing exit interviews and bowl prep

Despite the whirlwind that was the past two weeks for LSU, Kelly is looking forward to what’s in front him his team. The Tigers face Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2.

“They’ve got exams, they’ve got to take care of their academics. So, first and foremost, academics,” Kelly said about what’s next for LSU on Sunday. “We’ll give them a chance to rest up a little bit, get them in the training room, some weight training. We have our end-of-the-year banquet where we’re going to celebrate our seniors on Sunday, thank them for what they’ve contributed to an SEC West championship.

“We’ll do exit meetings with our players, what they’ve done well, what we can do better as we look forwards another game, as well. We’ll practice next week. Again, there are other things that are as important as recruiting, and that is your team. We’re not going to rush off and forget about our players and the development of our players at this very crucial time, as well.”

LSU got big NFL Draft news on Monday when star receiver Kayshon Boutte shocked the college football world. The former 5-star prospect announced he is returning to LSU for the 2023 season.

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