| Mekhi Garner | |
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Birth Date: | 11 January 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lb: | 212 |
| High School: | Poteet (TX) |
| College: | Navarro (2018) Louisiana (2019–2021) LSU (2022) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2023 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: | |
| Pfr: | GarnMe00 |
Mekhi Garner (born January 11, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Navarro Bulldogs, Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and LSU Tigers
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]
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Garner signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.[13] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[14] [15] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2024.[16] He was waived with an injury designation on August 17.[17]