Brian Kelly shares timeline for No. 18 jersey announcement

As we sit with 11 days remaining until the start of the 2024 LSU football season, coach Brian Kelly spoke with the media early Wednesday afternoon and gave his timeline for the the upcoming announcement of the recipient of the historic No. 18 jersey this season.

Coach Brian Kelly has made a decision on a recipient for the No. 18 jersey

When it comes to LSU football and its storied history, few numbers hold nearly as much weight as that of the No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys. Outside of Billy Cannon‘s retired No. 20 jersey, the two numbers have come to be known throughout Baton Rouge as being representative of outstanding skill and leadership for the purple and gold.

As we look ahead to the 2024 college football season, offensive tackle Will Campbell – a team captain on last year’s roster – is expected to hold onto the No. 7 jersey for the second year in a row, but with defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo having made his way to the Detroit Lions via the NFL draft over the offseason, there’s a void to be filled at that No. 18 spot.

Lions rookie Mekhi Wingo with a pressure up the middle.

He was the first defensive player named when Dan Campbell was asked who stood out to him right after the game.

“I thought you could feel him a little bit in there.” pic.twitter.com/oJCzpGHw4q

— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 9, 2024

In turn, with less than two weeks remaining until opening day, many eyes have shifted to coach Brian Kelly in anticipation of the newest recipient of the historic jersey number.

“As it relates to 18, I think I’ve pretty much made a decision on how that number’s gonna end up,” the Tiger head coach said while speaking with the media early Wednesday afternoon. “I think you’ll probably hear something here very soon. If not tomorrow, then within the next 48 hours.”

Regardless of who ends up receiving the honor, there’s no denying that they’ll be expected to step into some big-time shoes. Many of the top Tigers all-time have donned No. 18, going all the way back to national championship quarterback Matt Mauck and running back Jacob Hester. Some of the most recent recipients include edge rusher BJ Ojulari (2022), kicker Avery Atkins (2021) and linebacker Damone Clark (2020).

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