Winona State’s Max Mengel Brings NFL-ish Size and a Physical Anchor Up Front
In the 2026 season, Max Mengel is a 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior defensive lineman for Winona State, a profile that screams power and interior disruption rather than flash[1][2][5]. His standout trait is easy to spot: he has added significant size since joining the program, and that frame gives him the kind of leverage and toughness teams want in a run-stopping DL who can eat blocks and keep the pocket honest[2][4]. He was a 2023 First Team All-FVA and All-Region performer in high school, which supports the sense that he’s a rugged, high-motor lineman with some real nastiness in his game[6].
