Mekhi Wingo takes over as LSU's No. 18 for 2023 season
There’s a new No. 18 jersey on the LSU football team, and it’s going to a one-time transfer who has turned into a leader for the Tigers.
Mekhi Wingo, who transferred from Missouri to LSU ahead of the 2022 season, turned into a key piece to the puzzle in Brian Kelly’s first year at the helm.
After he was one of three representatives for LSU as SEC Media Days in July, Wingo was awarded the No. 18 jersey on Saturday.
“Thank you to (BJ Ojulari) for properly showing me how to wear this number and really uphold the standard on an off the field,” Wingo said in a video released by the LSU Football social media accounts on Saturday. “Ever since I transferred here, I didn’t want to come in and step on any toes and be a loud type of leader when coaches are around. I just wanted to come here and put my head down and go to work and gain the trust of the team and coaching staff.
“I think I have really earned (the team’s) trust. And I’m going to go out there and play my heart out for (LSU) and represent this number the right way.”
Put your head down and work. That's what 18 is all about. @WingoMekhi pic.twitter.com/0Enm7pQ9Go
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 26, 2023
Wingo was a breakout star for LSU in Year 1
Wingo, from St. Louis, Missouri, anchored the LSU defensive front in 2022, registering 47 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Wingo stepped up in a major way following Maason Smith‘s season-ending injury in Week 1, and he earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press as well as being a second-team All-SEC selection.
Wingo played in all 14 games for the Tigers in 2022, making 13 starts and finishing the season with 47 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.
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He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in LSU’s win over Ole Miss, and he opened the season with six tackles and a fumble recovery in a narrow loss to Florida State. Wingo also had six tackles in a comeback road win over Auburn.
Prior to his arrival at LSU, Wingo was a Freshman All-SEC selection at Missouri in 2021. He appeared in 11 games and started three times, finishing his debut season with 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception returned 40 yards for a touchdown.
A new No. 18 in Baton Rouge
Previously, Wingo had been wearing No. 92.
Now, he’s next in line to take over the No. 18 jersey – handed out annually to one of the team’s most impactful leaders.
The tradition surrounding No. 18 began with quarterback Matt Mauck, who wore it during LSU’s national championship in 2003. Since then, it’s been passed down to 17 other players. Players on offense, defense, and special teams have all worn the jersey at one point.
BJ Ojulari was chosen by Kelly ahead of the 2022 season, and was a key member of the LSU defense and later was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
