Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton's Biography

Who is Mekhi Becton? Born on April 18, 1999, Mekhi Becton is a celebrated American professional football guard currently associated with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). His impressive height and physique, coupled with his talent, have left spectators on the edge of their seats during many games.

Becton grew up in the heart of Virginia, in Richmond, attending Highland Springs High School. Here, his passion for football began to take root, with Becton being recognized as a three-star prospect. His prowess was further recognized, with his ranking as the No. 43 offensive tackle and No. 405 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite. As a testament to his ability, 31 schools courted Becton to join their football rosters.

He was spoilt for choice with offers from esteemed institutions like Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Michigan, and Oregon by the National Signing Day on February 1, 2017. Although Virginia put on the competitive pressure, Becton ultimately decided to take his talents to Louisville, committing to the Cardinals on Signing Day.

Becton’s college career was just as noteworthy as his high school tenure. As a freshman in the 2017 season, he played in 13 games for the Cardinals and started 11 at the tackle position. He made a stellar impression in his debut collegiate football season. Pro Football Focus deemed him the highest-rated freshman in the country during the first four games of that season. In terms of pass-blocking in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Becton led the pack, allowing a mere six pressures in 312 snaps during the first seven games.

The subsequent 2018 season saw Becton retaining his position as a starting tackle, and he started all the games. By the end of the season, his count of games started rose to a whopping 23. The year 2019 further solidified Becton’s stature in college football, with him once again being named a starting tackle. His performance earned him first team All-ACC honors after the conclusion of the regular season.

Rather than playing out his senior season at Louisville and participating in the bowl game, Becton made the brave decision to declare for the 2020 NFL draft. This move paid off handsomely, with Becton being selected in the first round as the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets.

Becton’s journey in the NFL was not without hardship. On September 12, 2021, Becton suffered a significant knee injury during a game, leading to him being carted off the field. He had damaged his cartilage, necessitating surgery and a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks. Subsequently, he was placed on injured reserve on September 14, 2021.

During next year’s summer, precisely on July 27, 2022, George Fant moved to left tackle, leading to Becton’s shift to right tackle. However, he was hit with another setback on August 8, during training camp, when he was diagnosed with an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap. This injury resulted in the Jets placing him on injured reserve yet again, causing Becton to miss the entire 2022 season.

Bouncing back from adversity, on April 29, 2024, Becton landed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. This move was a testament to his resilience, determination, and his unflagging desire to keep playing the game he loves. Through his inspiring career journey thus far, Mekhi Becton continues to establish himself as one of the premier talents in American football.