Former LSU defensive back Mekhi Garner signs deal following NFL Draft

Former LSU cornerback Mekhi Garner ended up going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. But he’s still on his to an NFL franchise. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Garner has agreed to an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Garner’s journey to the NFL was not an easy one, and starts at Poteet high school in Mesquite, Texas where he was an under-recruited prospect that took his talents to Navarro Community College in 2018. After recording 48 tackles, five pass breakups, and two interceptions, he transferred to Louisiana.

He spent three seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns where he had 61 tackles, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks under head coach Billy Napier. But when Napier took the head coaching job at Florida following the 2021 season, the All-Sun Belt Conference cornerback took his talents to the Bayou.

He started all 13 regular season games for the Tigers in 2022, leading the team with 8 pass breakups and also securing 43 tackles. Garner opted out of LSU’s Citrus Bowl following their SEC championship loss, but was invited to both the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine, where he showed off his size and speed and turned the heads of NFL scouts.

Garner stands at 6-foot-2, 212-pounds, running a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at this year’s combine, where he also had a 38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump. His 10 1/8’’ hands and 32 1/4’’ arms are powerful and used a lot in his coverage, as he provides prototypical size and strength that’s become so coveted in the NFL.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Mekhi Garner

Garner had to work hard throughout college for his shot at the next level. This year’s cornerback class is a deep one, so what makes Garner different? NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein answered just that, speaking on how Garner’s strengths can be utilized on Sundays.

“Garner is a big, long corner with a jarring press. However, he’s missing the footwork and body control to phase and match NFL routes that force him to change direction,” Zierlein said. “He’s a handful when he’s in position to challenge the throw, but teams might need to plug him into a Cover 2 scheme or try him at safety, where he can help support the run and cover tight ends.”