Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.
We’re taking a look at a player who broke out on the defensive line in 2022, [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag]. A transfer from Missouri, Wingo was only expected to play a rotational role. But he was thrust into the starting lineup following an injury to [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag], and he turned in an All-SEC season. Now, he’s set to start again in what could be the SEC’s best interior front.
Mekhi Wingo Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 295
247Sports Composite Ranking
Three Stars | No. 8 in Missouri | No. 74 Defensive Line
Class in 2022: Sophomore
Career Stats
| Year | G | Total | Solo | TFL | Sack | FF | PD | INT |
| 2021 (Missouri) | 11 | 27 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 14 | 47 | 25 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Depth Chart Overview
Originally a three-star recruit coming out of DeSmet High School in St. Louis, Wingo ranked outside the national top 600 when he signed with the in-state Missouri Tigers.
He made a major impact in his lone season at Mizzou as a true freshman. He appeared in 11 games and notched 21 tackles (two for loss) with a sack, pass deflection and interception. He registered very solid PFF grades, especially against the run and in pass rushing.
He entered the transfer portal after his true freshman season and landed with the Tigers, where he ultimately started 13 of 14 games. He was named a Second Team All-SEC selection and a Third Team All-American after finishing with 47 tackles (six for loss) and three sacks.
Wingo is set to start again as a junior alongside Smith, and he’ll anchor what could be a very good front seven for the Tigers.