by Bill Seals
In Jon Heacock’s 3-3-5 defense, shorter defensive tackles have found plenty of success in Ames. Just as Iowa State picked up a commitment from a 6-foot-2 big man for 2020 earlier this month, the coaching staff was looking ahead by extending an offer to one in the rising junior class.
St. Louis (Mo.) De Smet standout Mekhi Wingo, who shined in front of position coach Eli Rasheed at a camp last month, has earned an offer from the Cyclones.
“My coach called me, said he had talked to them about me and that they were offering me,” said Wingo. “They wanted to know what type of person I was and my coach let them know, saying I was a good leader and respectful kid.”
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Wingo said his performance at Lindenwood in June put him in consideration for an offer.
“They first noticed me during the recruiting season over the spring when they came to my school,” Wingo said. “They liked my film. They came back the second time around and told me they’d be watching me at the showcase. I went there and did my thing. I talked to the D-line coach there. Coach Rasheed really liked what I was doing said played well with my hands and fired off the ball. He said I was one of the best kids at the camp, really liked my pass rush and how I competed in the board drill.
In addition to I-State, Wingo has also collected offers from West Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Toledo and FCS Tennessee-Martin. As a sophomore, Wingo finished with 42 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, and four sacks.
The diminutive Wingo said he’s embraced being on the shorter end and shown everything he can do well at the three-technique position.
“I’m only about 6-foot-1, I’m an undersized defensive tackle, so I made sure I was at the front of the line for the board drill (at Lindenwood),” he said. “I wanted to show that even though I’m undersized that I could still hold my own in the run game. I showed I’m good with my hands, move side to side well and also go through you.”
The play of Ray Lima and Jamahl Johnson as the key cogs in ISU’s defensive line, along with the recent commitment of 6-foot-2 big man Willis Singleton, has shown Wingo how much potential he could have at ISU.
“I looked at the d-tackles on the roster and the one that just committed (and they’re all shorter guys). With me being shorter, that already makes Iowa State a great fit. I can get in there and take on the double teams. I’m already lower to the ground.”
Wingo said he’s also got a positive early impression of the Cyclone coaching staff through his interactions with Rasheed and area recruiter D.K. McDonald.
“They have a younger group of guys and I like that,” he said. “I feel like they can relate with you more. Coach Rasheed is a good coach and a good dude, too. When I talked to him in Lindenwood, he spoke highly of me. We’ve developed a good relationship.”
With offer in hand, Wingo said he’s looking forward to catching his first glimpse of ISU during an unofficial visit in early September for the Iowa game.
In Jon Heacock’s 3-3-5 defense, shorter defensive tackles have found plenty of success in Ames. Just as Iowa State picked up a commitment from a 6-foot-2 big man for 2020 earlier this month, the coaching staff was looking ahead by extending an offer to one in the rising junior class.
St. Louis (Mo.) De Smet standout Mekhi Wingo, who shined in front of position coach Eli Rasheed at a camp last month, has earned an offer from the Cyclones.
“My coach called me, said he had talked to them about me and that they were offering me,” said Wingo. “They wanted to know what type of person I was and my coach let them know, saying I was a good leader and respectful kid.”
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Wingo said his performance at Lindenwood in June put him in consideration for an offer.
“They first noticed me during the recruiting season over the spring when they came to my school,” Wingo said. “They liked my film. They came back the second time around and told me they’d be watching me at the showcase. I went there and did my thing. I talked to the D-line coach there. Coach Rasheed really liked what I was doing said played well with my hands and fired off the ball. He said I was one of the best kids at the camp, really liked my pass rush and how I competed in the board drill.
In addition to I-State, Wingo has also collected offers from West Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Toledo and FCS Tennessee-Martin. As a sophomore, Wingo finished with 42 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, and four sacks.
The diminutive Wingo said he’s embraced being on the shorter end and shown everything he can do well at the three-technique position.
“I’m only about 6-foot-1, I’m an undersized defensive tackle, so I made sure I was at the front of the line for the board drill (at Lindenwood),” he said. “I wanted to show that even though I’m undersized that I could still hold my own in the run game. I showed I’m good with my hands, move side to side well and also go through you.”
The play of Ray Lima and Jamahl Johnson as the key cogs in ISU’s defensive line, along with the recent commitment of 6-foot-2 big man Willis Singleton, has shown Wingo how much potential he could have at ISU.
“I looked at the d-tackles on the roster and the one that just committed (and they’re all shorter guys). With me being shorter, that already makes Iowa State a great fit. I can get in there and take on the double teams. I’m already lower to the ground.”
Wingo said he’s also got a positive early impression of the Cyclone coaching staff through his interactions with Rasheed and area recruiter D.K. McDonald.
“They have a younger group of guys and I like that,” he said. “I feel like they can relate with you more. Coach Rasheed is a good coach and a good dude, too. When I talked to him in Lindenwood, he spoke highly of me. We’ve developed a good relationship.”
With offer in hand, Wingo said he’s looking forward to catching his first glimpse of ISU during an unofficial visit in early September for the Iowa game.
