Get to know LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, Lions' sixth-round pick

Mekhi Wingo, a 2022 All-American who suffered injury setbacks during his draft year, is a disruptive force on the interior defensive line and was snatched up by the Lions in the sixth round on Saturday.

Wingo was named a third-team All-American in 2022 and was second-team All-SEC after making 46 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. He missed five games in 2023 with a groin injury. Wingo, who just turned 21 in April, began his college career at Missouri but transferred to LSU after one year.

From a character standpoint, Wingo is a Lion through and through. He was named a permanent team captain and bestowed with the No. 18 jersey number, given each year to the LSU player who best represents the program's values. Instead of letting the groin injury end his college career, Wingo had surgery and returned in time to play in LSU's non-College Football Playoff bowl game.

Though the upside of Wingo's game lies with his pass-rushing ability, he was an elite run stopper during his college career. Over the last two seasons, he's made a combined 31 run stops. At 6-foot and 284 pounds, he has below-average height and weight.

The Mekhi Wingo file

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri

High school: De Smet Jesuit

College: LSU

College major: Mass communications

2023 stats: Eight games played, 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, 4½ sacks

Accolades: LSU team captain, 2022 AP third-team All-American, 2022 AP second-team All-SEC, 2021 SEC Freshman All-SEC

Quotable: "Wingo has a short-armed, squatty body type with an inconsistent anchor, but his first-step quickness and shock in his hands often gives him early advantages. He has NFL starting potential as a three-technique in a four-man front, projecting as a not-as-explosive version of Ed Oliver," The Athletic's Dane Brugler said in his annual draft guide.

Combine measurements

Hand: 9¼ inches

Arm: 32 inches

Wingspan: 77⅞ inches

40-yard dash: 4.85 seconds (third out of 20 defensive tackles); 20-yard 2.77; 10-yard 1.63

Vertical: 31½ (seventh out of 22)

Broad jump: 9 feet, 1 inch (11th out of 21)

Bench press: 25 reps (ninth out of 10)

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi