How LSU DL Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo fared in NFL Combine testing
LSU defensive linemen Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo both competed on Thursday in the testing portion of the 2024 NFL Combine. Both shined in big ways, bolstering their NFL Draft stock.
Smith, a former five-star prospect out of Houma (La.) Terrebonne, was one of the most athletic testers at the position since 1987. He checked in at 6-5 1/8, 306 pounds with 35-inch arms and a 84.62 wing. Testing wise, the former LSU lineman ran a 5.02 40-yard dash, broad jumped 9-feet and notched a 31-inch vertical. He had a 1.75 10-yard split in the 40 while also hitting a 7.62 on the 3-cone drill and a 4.69 20-yard shuttle.
His testing backed up what NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said about Smith in his scouting report. Smith missed a lot of time due to injury at LSU, but he’s always been one of the most athletic linemen in college football.
“Traits-based prospect with an exciting ceiling but a concerning lack of experience and consistency,” Zierlein said. “Smith plays tall and lacks the anchor and hand usage to keep from being mashed out of gaps by double-teams. The measurables and playing style have him best suited to play as a 3-4 defensive end, where he will have an opportunity to better utilize his length at the point of attack. Smith flashes as a pass rusher with a healthy blend of footwork and victories to the edge, which should keep improving with additional skill work. He has early round traits but middle-round tape.
“Smith requires scheme fit and patience if he’s to reach his potential, but he should be no worse than a viable backup.”
Wingo, a former Missouri Tiger who transferred to be an LSU Tiger the past two seasons, also had a strong day. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash out of the defensive linemen with a 4.85 and a 1.64 10-yard split. He had a vertical jump of 31.5 inches and a 9-1 broad jump. Wingo checked in at 6-0, 284 with 32-inch arms.
“Wingo is a shade undersized, but his tape is fun to watch. He is compact and powerful, with the ability to separate and play off of lateral blocks quickly,” Zierlein wrote. “He can be overcome by length or mass at times but is rarely dominated. He has first-step quickness and processing to beat blockers to erase their landmarks and is tremendously agile as a short-space tackler. Wingo has a hop-and-chop rush move typically seen from defensive ends and will be too athletic for some guards to handle as a pass rusher. Wingo could become an early backup as an even-front 3-technique but he has three down-potential and could eventually become a starter.”
Former LSU defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson only did the vertical jump (31 inches) and broad jump (8-foot-8). He checked in at 6-3, 313 pounds with 33 1/8 arms and a 9 7/8 hand.
