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Brian Kelly speaks to the decisions behind handing out LSU’s iconic jersey numbers
By Mark Kern
Published:
Brian Kelly had a great first season at LSU last year, and there is a ton of hype heading into the 2023 season.
Kelly came to an LSU program with an incredible history and many annual traditions. One of those traditions is choosing what player gets to wear the numbers 7 and 18.
The No.7 is traditionally given to a playmaker or a defensive back, but this year, Kelly elected to go with an offensive lineman, Will Campbell. While the NCAA doesn’t allow offensive lineman to wear single digit numbers, Campbell will wear 79, but have a 7 patch on his jersey.
While LSU has been known to give it to defensive backs, Kelly said he wants to show how valuable offensive lineman are too.
“We went a little different direction,” Kelly said. “I am quite aware of the history and tradition behind No. 7. Defensive backs and playmakers have worn that and we certainly respect all who have worn it and have represented in such an admirable way. I am not trying to make new history, but we just felt our playmaker this year deserved recognition, and we felt that playmaker was Will Campbell.”
A former LSU great who wore 7, Tyrann Mathieu, gave his full support for the decision.
Yes! Future Top 5 pick! https://t.co/YMLaI7BJZz
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) August 26, 2023
The other number awarded, 18, is traditionally given to the hardest working player on the team. This tradition started in 2003, when quarterback Matt Mauck passed his jersey on to Jacob Hester.
This season, Mehki Wingo was given the number, and it’s only the third time that a defensive tackle has worn the number. The other 2 are Bennie Logan (2012) and Christian LaCouture (2017).
No. 18 is special and the history of it from Matt Mauck to Jacob Hester is significant and represents leadership and championships.
I’m proud of Mekhi for the work he has done to earn this number! pic.twitter.com/ajDfTQBmaV
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) August 26, 2023
Kelly said whoever is wearing that jersey has to represent that number on and off the field.
“He has to have the leadership capability and have incredible traits,” Kelly said. “Somebody who is going to wear that jersey on and off the field, and representing LSU football and that No. 18 goes to Mehki Wingo, and I am really proud of him.”
