Former DeSmet Jesuit High football standout Mekhi Wingo was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round in last weekend’s National Football League Draft, which was held in Detroit.
Wingo is a 6’1” 295-pound defensive tackle, who played the last two seasons at LSU after starting his career at the University of Missouri. He was the 169th pick on the third day of the draft. The Lions advanced all the way to the NFC championship game this past season.
“I think his character speaks for itself,” said Lions general manager Brad Holmes. “This guy fits our culture like a glove; great kid.”
Wingo was one of two players from the St. Louis area that had his name called during the draft. The other was former Francis Howell Central standout Dominick Puni, an offensive tackle from Kansas who was selected in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers with the 86th pick.
There were multiple players from the St. Louis area who were picked up by NFL teams as undrafted free agents at the end of the draft.
Former Trinity Catholic standout Isaiah Williams signed with the Detroit Lions. Williams was an All-Big Ten Conference performer at wide receiver for the University of Illinois. Former John Burroughs standout defensive back D.J. Miller signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Miller was a starting cornerback at Kent State this past season.
Former Lutheran South standout running back Cody Schrader signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Schrader completed a stellar collegiate career at the University of Missouri, where he earned All-Southeastern Conference honors.
Former Belleville Althoff standout running back Justin Strong has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Strong just completed his career at Southern Illinois University.
*Mizzou Has Six Players Selected
It was a very productive NFL Draft for the University of Missouri as it saw six of its players drafted off of last season’s 12-win team.
The first Mizzou player to come off the board was defensive end Darius Robinson, who was taken in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th pick. He was the first Mizzou player to be drafted in the first round since 2017, when Charles Harris was selected by the Miami Dolphins.
Cornerback Ennie Rakestraw Jr. was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round with the No. 61 pick. He was the first Mizzou player to be drafted by the Lions since 1983, when Detroit selected St. Louisan Demetrious Johnson. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the third round with the No. 91 pick.
Offensive lineman Javon Foster was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round with the 114th pick. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round with the 145th pick. The sixth player taken was defensive back Jaylon Carlies, who was taken in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts with the 151st pick.
