LSU EDGE commit Damien Shanklin breaks down his decision, what's to come in Baton Rouge

It came down to Alabama, Ohio State and LSU for Indianapolis Warren Central four-star EDGE Damien Shanklin. While all three powerhouse programs had plenty to offer the top-100 prospect, it was the Tigers that won out for his pledge on July 5.

LSU defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples was instrumental in the decision, as was the rest of the staff in Baton Rouge, including head coach Brian Kelly and new defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Shanklin built bonds in the Bayou that ultimately couldn’t be topped.

The No. 91 overall recruit and no. 12 EDGE in the nation, Shanklin is the top-ranked commit on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers, highlighting a class that currently ranks No. 5 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Now over a week removed from his decision, Shanklin joined On3’s Phillip Dukes on ‘The Five Star Flex’ to break down why LSU was the right fit for him, his relationships with the staff, playing alongside No. 1 overall prospect Bryce Underwood next season and more.

“Honestly, when I went down there I felt like I was at home,” Shanklin said. “On top of that, the bond that I have with the coaches, the amount of coaches on the staff. Not only that, just being able to hang around the players like Da’Shawn Womack and (Bradyn) Swinson as well. Just being around them, I just automatically fell in love with the program and stuff like that, I could see myself being there.”

Hard work paid off for the Hoosier State standout

Coming off a breakout junior campaign for Warren Central, Shanklin has shot up the recruiting rankings ahead of his senior year. He logged 66 total tackles a season ago, 17 of which came in the backfield for loss. He also runs the special teams operation, handling kickoffs and punts.

Having the opportunity to play at a prestigious SEC program was not something Shanklin thought would be in the cards at one time. He chipped away, though. As cliché as it may sound, hard work has indeed paid off in a big way for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder.

The next goal for Shanklin? Acquire that coveted fifth star.

“I never seen myself being in this situation. Now that I’m doing it, it’s like the hard work paid off the most, so now that I’m here, having this moment of the commitment and stuff like that, I know I just have to keep having that hard work and dedication,” Shanklin said. “I know I’m a four-star right now, I’m really chasing the five-star. Outside of that, just staying humble and keeping myself motivated.

For my senior year, I’m gonna have a breakout year, show everybody that I should be up there, I should be one of the 32 players that should be a five-star.”

Shanklin ready to play alongside Underwood

Shanklin is currently one of six top-100 prospects committed to LSU in the 2025 cycle. The pledge list is of course headlined by Belleville (Mich.) Five-Star Plus+ QB Bryce Underwood, the top-ranked prospect in the nation who has been committed to the Tigers since Jan. 6.

Having the chance to take the field at Tiger Stadium alongside someone of Underwood’s caliber is not lost on Shanklin. He knows the kind of talent that will be roaming the sidelines in Baton Rouge in due time and he’s ready to wreak havoc as a member of an already elite recruiting class.

“The bond that me and Bryce Underwood got, I feel like that’s unmatchable as well, because if we both lock in with him being on offense and me being on defense, I feel like in the future both sides of the ball at LSU will be unstoppable,” Shanklin said. “You keep that going, then no one can mess with you.”