The 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl will kickoff this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT at Allegiant Stadium. Two LSU Tigers will be participating in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl: defensive backs Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Mekhi Garner. Bernard-Converse will be on the west team which is being coached by the New England Patriots staff. Garner will be on the east team that will be coached by the Atlanta Falcons. Check out which Tigers will be taking part in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl and a look back on their collegiate career:
Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Cornerback:
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Bernard-Converse started his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. In his first year with the Cowboys, Bernard-Converse ranked fifth on his team and led all Oklahoma State freshman with 59 tackles. He was able to be a big part in the the Cowboys finishing in the top 20 nationally in red zone defense, sacks and tackles for loss.
Bernard-Converse continued to be active for Oklahoma State’s defense in his sophomore year as he finished the year with 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss, an interception and five pass breakups. He would continue to serve a vital role heading into his junior campaign in 2020 as he would start all 11 games at the cornerback position.
Bernard-Converse would be tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups and first among Oklahoma State cornerbacks with 32 tackles. The Shreveport, Louisiana native would help the Cowboys to a 12-2 record during his senior season in 2021. On the year, he would record 51 tackles, 1.5 sacks and had 11 passes defended. He would cap his Oklahoma State career with 216 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
The veteran cornerback would decided to take his talents to Baton Rouge and play closer to home for his final season. Bernard-Converse finished the 2022 season with 45 tackles, two interceptions, three pass deflections and one fumble recovery.
Mekhi Garner, Defensive Back:
Garner spent his first collegiate season at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. He would decide to transfer to Louisiana-Lafayette heading into the 2019 season. Garner would make two appearances for the Ragin Cajuns and he would finish the season with four tackles.
During his redshirt sophomore season in 2020, Garner would start to see an uptick with Louisiana-Lafayette. He would earn eight starts during the season as he would finish the year with 27 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. After the 2020 season, he would be named to the Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference performer. Also, Garner would come up with three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
The Mesquite, Texas native would be named to third team All-Sun Belt Conference as a defensive back in 2021. Garner recorded 31 tackles to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He would also add eight pass breakups and forced a fumble.
He would decide to transfer to LSU heading into the 2022 season and he proved to be an immediate impact for the Tiger defense. Garner finished the year with 43 tackles and a team-best eight pass breakups. He would finish his collegiate career with 106 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 26 pass breakups.
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