Mekhi Garner

Garner was born on January 11, 2000, in Dallas, Texas.^[1] He attended Poteet High School in Mesquite and played defensive back, recording as a junior 39 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble.^[2] He initially committed to play college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but eventually decided to begin his college career at Navarro.^[3]

Garner spent his freshman year, 2018, at Navarro College.^[4] He appeared in 10 games, posting 48 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions and 0.5 tackles-for-loss.^[5] He joined the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns after one season at Navarro.^[6] In his first season there, Garner played two games and totaled four tackles.^[3] Originally a backup to begin the 2020 season, he was thrust into a starting role due to several players contracting COVID-19 and his performance there led to him remaining a starter.^[3][7][8] He finished the season with 11 games played, eight as a starter, with 27 tackles, three interceptions (second on the team), seven pass breakups (second on the team), one sack and one tackle-for-loss, being named honorable mention all-conference.^[3]

In 2021, Garner played in 13 games, starting 11, and earned third-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as he compiled 31 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a sack.^[3][9] He transferred to LSU in 2022.^[10][11] In his only season with the team, he posted 43 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and eight pass breakups while starting all 13 games.^[12] His eight pass breakups lead the team.^[3] Although Garner had a remaining year of eligibility, he opted to declare for the NFL draft while accepting an invitation to the East–West Shrine Bowl.^[6]