LSU decided who will wear No. 18 this season.
Junior defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo received the number Saturday, which has gone to a high-character leader on the team since 2003.
Since transferring from Missouri last year, Wingo has turned into one of LSU’s most reliable players. He earned third-team All-American honors as a sophom*ore, and he was recently named first-team preseason All-Southeastern Conference by the coaches.
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Last season, Wingo finished with 47 tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss. He also recorded four pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
Wingo took on a larger role than expected last year after LSU lost star defensive tackle Maason Smith. He went from rotational player to starter, and Wingo played more snaps than any other interior defensive lineman in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
The No. 18 jersey tradition started with quarterback Matt Mauck, who helped LSU win its first national championship since 1958. Mauck passed the number to freshman running back Jacob Hester the next season. Hester used it for his entire career.
Since then, the jersey has been worn by 16 other players. LSU gave it last year to junior edge rusher BJ Ojulari.
Wingo originally signed with Missouri as a three-star recruit from St. Louis. He appeared in 11 games with three starts, earning freshman All-SEC honors before he transferred to LSU. He represented the team at SEC media days last month.
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