Mekhi Wingo Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: LSU

Class: Junior

Position: DL

HT: 6’1

WT: 295 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #54

Background: Mekhi Wingo is a powerful defensive lineman from St. Louis, Missouri. Wingo was a 3-star recruit and attended DeSmet High School. As a senior at DeSmet, Wingo was named the Missouri 6A Defensive Player of the Year. He was also first team all-state as a senior. His final season was one of great personal success as well as team success. His team made it to the championship game before eventually losing a close one. Wingo chose to stay home for school and attend Missouri instead of other schools such as Iowa State and Arkansas.

College: Wingo started 3 games and appeared in 11 as a true freshman in 2021. He performed well enough to earn Freshman All-SEC honors. Wingo started 13 games in 2022, becoming the most productive LSU defensive lineman and one of the best in the country. He was named to the All-SEC second team and Third Team All-America. With a little more than half the games played in 2023, Wingo managed to have a career year and solidify himself as a top interior defensive lineman in the draft.

Strengths: Mekhi is an excellent mover for the position. He is relatively light on his feet and explodes out of his stance. He has violent hands that remain active until the whistle is blown. His combination of length and lower body strength makes it incredibly difficult for offensive linemen to absorb that initial punch. Wingo is a strong player and does not allow even the strongest offensive linemen to get a grip on him. As a pass rusher, he has a couple of pass-rushing moves that he uses effectively. Against the run, he quickly dissects the play in front of him and always fills the gap. When meeting the ball carrier in the backfield, Wingo does well to wrap up the ball carrier and bring him down without needing any extra help from teammates. He is not easily deceived by double moves in the backfield and does not overcommit on cuts.

Weaknesses: Mekhi Wingo is a fantastic run-stuffer, but he may be left off the field on those obvious passing downs. He can occasionally muddy the pocket or even get to the quarterback, but he has yet to do that with any level of technical consistency. He has won by simply using pure power throughout his career, a strategy that will not work in the NFL.

Conclusion: If he can add layers to his pass rushing and continue to dominate the run game, he will be a real difference-maker on the inside of the defensive line.

Scheme Fit: 4-3

Ideal Role: 3-Tech

Best Team Fits: LAC, BAL, CLE

Player Comparison: Calijah Kancey

Player Grade: 82.8