Who will receive the legendary No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys? That’s been the question of the offseason as Tiger fans anxiously await the start of the 2023 college football season. Well, we finally have an answer as LSU football announced that defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo will wear No. 18 while offensive tackle Will Campbell has earned No. 7.
LSU football announced that Mekhi Wingo will don the No. 18 jersey this season
Today, as college football is about to begin its 2023 season, LSU football elected to have a major announcement of its own. We officially know who will don the No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys in 2023.
The No. 18 jersey started things off earlier this afternoon as the Tigers announced Mekhi Wingo as this year’s recipient.
The No. 18 jersey tradition began in 2003, with former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck, who led the Tigers to their first national championship since 1958. After moving on from the program, he passed his number down to running back Jacob Hester, who would lead the program to another national championship four seasons later in 2007.
Since then, the jersey has been awarded to a player who best represents what it means to be an LSU football player.
This year, the honor goes to Mekhi Wingo, a player who enters just his second season with the program. Still, despite entering year two, it’s clear he’s left his impact on Baton Rouge.
In 2022, Wingo recorded 43 tackles, three sacks and four passes deflected. In addition, he provided a presence in a defensive tackle room that desperately needed someone to step up.
Wingo joins a long list of legendary LSU football players to don the No. 18 jersey, including cornerback Tre’Davious White, tight end Foster Moreau, center Lloyd Cushenberry III and edge rusher BJ Ojulari.
Offensive tackle Will Campbell is the first offensive lineman to earn the legendary No. 7 jersey
Today, history was made for the LSU football program. Every year since Patrick Peterson wore the No. 7 jersey from 2008-2011, it’s become an honor to be awarded the legendary number.
The honor is annually awarded to the best player in Louisiana, with players such as Tyrann Mathieu, Leonard Fournette, Grant Delpit and Kayshon Boutte all having worn it.
This year, though, the Tigers will have their first offensive line honoree, with Will Campbell repping the number in 2023.
Campbell started for the Tigers at left tackle last season and quickly showed his capability at the college level. Now, he’s a star for LSU football and well deserving of this honor.
Due to NCAA rules, Campbell cannot officially change his jersey number to seven but will instead wear it as a patch on his jersey this college football season.
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