*Mekhi Becton, Louisville Football News: Draft Scout Player News

04/24/20 - OT *Mekhi Becton, Jr/2020, Louisville

Three years and done. That was Mekhi Becton's plan when he left Highland Springs, Virginia, for the University of Louisville. He accomplished that goal on Thursday. The former Louisville left tackle was drafted No. 11 in Thursday's NFL draft by the New York Jets, becoming one of the highest picked players in program history. He is the highest offensive lineman drafted in Louisville history and just the third offensive lineman taken in the first round. Once Becton fell to the 11th pick, he said he had a good idea that the Jets were going to take him. In a draft that was highlighted by a top-heavy offensive tackle class, Becton was the third tackle off the board. All four of the top tackles were taken in the top 15. "We are so excited to add a guy with his size and athletic ability and a guy we really feel can fortify our front for a long time," Jets general manager Joe Douglas said.

Although Becton always dreamed of walking across the stage at the NFL draft, he couldn't because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL draft moved virtual, so he spent the evening with his parents, Semone and Jerome, his girlfriend, former U of L women's basketball player Bionca Dunham, and a few other family members. "I can't express how happy I am for Mekhi and his family to be a first-round selection," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "There aren't many people that are that big that can move the way he does, and he has such a bright future. He really answered a lot of questions on the way he played this year, and to his credit, he put all the work in to be one the best in the country. He's just scratching the surface with his potential and he has the opportunity to be an outstanding tackle in the NFL for a long time." - Courier Journal

Jr/2020