LSU football defensive captain cleared to play vs. Wisconsin

Tiger fans received excellent news today, as coach Brian Kelly announced that LSU football defensive captain Mekhi Wingo is medically cleared to play vs. Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. This will be the first time Wingo has seen game action since October vs. Auburn.

LSU football defensive captain Mekhi Wingo medically cleared to play vs. Wisconsin

For the first time since October 14 vs. Auburn, LSU football defensive captain Mekhi Wingo will finally see some game action. After being sidelined earlier this season, it wasn’t entirely certain when the junior defensive tackle would be able to return to the field, but he made it clear that he expected to be back by bowl season.

🙏🏾 I’ll be back for the playoffs 💆🏾‍♂️ we focused https://t.co/wYz1biry1s

— mekhi wingo (@WingoMekhi) October 30, 2023

While the Tigers didn’t necessarily make it all the way to the College Football Playoff, this didn’t deter him from continuing with his goals of getting back by the end of the year.

Now, after a confirmation from coach Brian Kelly earlier today, the LSU football defensive captain is officially cleared and will be good to play vs. Wisconsin in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl.

. @LSUfootball Brian Kelly says Mekhi Wingo will play against Wisconsin. #LSU pic.twitter.com/Z4E3TbDajC

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) December 27, 2023

For LSU fans, this should come as a major relief. The Tiger defensive unit struggled mightily all season, but one of the few bright spots was that of the defensive interior.

With a combination of junior Maason Smith, junior Mekhi Wingo and senior Jordan Jefferson, among others, they proved to be quite a force in the middle of the field, and months later, it looks like they’ll be back to full health.

In his two seasons with the LSU football program, Wingo has been the perfect example of consistency, amassing 65 tackles, four passes defended, 5.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

While he hasn’t yet made his decision on whether he’ll return for the 2024 season, getting him back for the rapidly approaching ReliaQuest Bowl could prove to be key. Wisconsin has a more than capable run-game, and adding one more big-body down low should help significantly as they look to stop the Badgers on New Year’s Day.

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