Before heading off to the NFL, players are required to be at least three years removed from high school. For players such as LSU football defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, that opens the door for a chance at the next level after just their junior season. With Wingo being out for the remainder of 2023, coach Brian Kelly spoke about the star junior and his plan to recruit him back to Baton Rouge for 2024.
Coach Brian Kelly plans on recruiting LSU football defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo back for 2024
LSU football defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo hasn’t seen the field since Auburn in week seven. The stud junior was held out of the Tigers’ game vs. Army to allow him to nurse an injury. One week later, it was revealed that he’d undergone surgery, which would keep him out for the remainder of the regular season.
In turn, as it relates to the star defensive tackle, eyes began to look ahead to the bowl season and the potential for next season. Being eligible for the upcoming NFL draft, he has a choice to make on whether he wants to return for a senior season or not.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different, and what’s best for one player might not be best for the next. However, when asked about Wingo, coach Brian Kelly made his hopes clear.
“We’re gonna recruit Mekhi,” the Tiger head coach said during Monday’s media availability. “Mekhi’s gotta make a decision relative to whether he thinks coming back for another year is in his best interest.
“We’re obviously gonna give him a lot of data in terms of what we think is in his best interest, and we’ll let him and his family, and those that are helping him make his decision process through that. But yeah, he’s in that boat of trying to make a decision, and we’ll give him all the data he needs and all the information.”
Heading into this offseason, the Tigers have the potential to lose several defensive linemen to the NFL, including Wingo and fellow star junior Maason Smith.
While it’s unlikely that both return in 2024, it would be a welcome addition to next year’s team. After all, coach Brian Kelly has already designated 2024 as the year he hopes to see his team take a big jump forward. It would only make his life even more manageable if he could keep LSU football defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in Baton Rouge.
“Certainly, we’d love to have him back.”
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