Brian Kelly announces who will wear No. 7, No. 18 jersey for LSU in 2023

One of the best traditions in the SEC resides in Baton Rouge. Before every season kicks off, LSU announces two players will wear special numbers attached to the program. No. 7 is given out an expected playmaker, it does not matter which side of the ball. No. 18 is arguably more significant, with a hard worker on and off the fielder having the honor of wearing it.

After a ton of anticipation, head coach Brian Kelly announced who will be wearing the two jersey numbers for the 2023 season. Will Campbell will don No. 7, while No. 18 will be worn by Mekhi Wingo.

Of note, Campbell will not actually wear No. 7 due to NCAA rules. He will wear No. 66 but will sport the No. 7 on a jersey patch.

“We want to build upon that tradition and honor the best player on our team who is from the state of Louisiana,” Kelly said in a statement. “Will Campbell has made such an impact on our team in such a short period of time and embodies the qualities to join the legacy of the players that have come before him.”

A huge honor for both players, they now have the opportunity to back up what the coaching staff thinks of them in a big way.

Previously, Wingo had been wearing No. 92 throughout his time in Baton Rouge. Both will get to debut their new numbers on Sept. 3 in what will be a huge game for LSU.

Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL will be the site of the Tigers’ season opener against Florida State. Both are ranked in the top 10 and should make for the best game in the Week 1 slate of college football.

Will Campbell to follow up LSU legends to wear No. 7

There might not be a bigger honor at LSU than wearing the No. 7. Ever since Patrick Peterson wore it during his time with the Tigers, some incredible playmakers have followed. And with the program being in the middle of the DBU discussion, quite a few have been defensive backs.

Peterson started the modern tradition, with Tyran Mathieu following him not too shortly after. Grant Delpit wore the number during the famous 2019 season, being a leader for the LSU secondary.

Offensively, Leonard Fournette is the best to sport No. 7. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte had the honor this past season, his last with LSU.

High expectations for Mekhi Wingo wearing No. 18

The tradition surrounding No. 18 began with quarterback Matt Mauck, who wore it during LSU’s national championship in 2003. Since then, it’s been passed down to 17 other players. Offense, defense, and special teams have all worn the jersey at one point.

BJ Ojulari was chosen by Kelly ahead of the 2022 season and the move paid off for the head coach. Ojulari was a key member of the LSU defense and was eventually selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The No. 18 has a long history in the Boot of success. Wingo will hopefully be the next one as the LSU coaching staff shows their trust in him.