Next man up is a popular phrase in football.
In the 2022 season opener, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith went down with a season ending knee injury during the first series of the game.
Smith’s unfortunate injury gave a transfer from Missouri a chance. Mekhi Wingo took advantage of his opportunity and ended up being named a third team All-American.
Wingo started 13 games last year and had 46 tackles, three sacks and four passes batted down. The St. Louis, Missouri native was also a leader on and off the field and ended up receiving the coveted #18 jersey prior to this season.
Wingo was having another a great season, but he’ll miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery.
Next man up
West Virginia transfer Jordan Jefferson is the next man up. Jefferson has been getting significant playing time this season and in the last game against Army, he received the highest grade out of the d-linemen.
“He’s been technically very good, he’s one of the strongest guys on our team, 525 bench, 600 pounds squat so he is very explosive.
“Young man that is really playing at his potential, good for him, it’s just been a nice process to see him evolve as the player that he’s become over the past month,” said Kelly.
Kelly said you didn’t need to watch a lot of his tape from West Virginia to determine if he would fit at LSU.
“When you look at defensive tackles you look at the ability to gain leverage, get off blocks, play with good technique, and he has all of those and he had a lot of experience at West Virginia.
“He was a guy that got off blocks and made plays, you don’t have to watch a of film to find the guys you like,” said Kelly.
20-year anniversary of the 2003 national championship
During next week’s LSU-Florida game, LSU will celebrate the 2003 national championship team. During the SEC teleconference, Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked about that team that won him his first national title.
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“Well, it doesn’t feel like 20 years, look I love that team that team is always going to be special because that was our first championship. Those guys came to LSU when were not very good, a lot of guys bought into what we were trying to do, sort of set the precedent for what the program was all about. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate their commitment, the way they competed all year long, just a bunch of great young men,” said Saban.
Brian Kelly in November
Kelly won his 300th game as a head coach in the shutout win over Army. His teams have been good in November as he’s compiled a record of 54-20 in this month. Kelly’s teams had won 19 straight November games before losing to Texas A&M last year.
Time to start a new winning streak in November.