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Micah Baskerville returning for 2022 season, help put LSU 'at the top'

On3 imageby:Billy Embody•01/18/22•

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LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville is returning for one more season in the Purple and Gold, he announced on Instagram on Tuesday. Baskerville’s return gives the Tigers even more depth at the position that loses Butkus Award finalist Damone Clark to the NFL.

“Dear Tiger Nation, I want to appreciate and enjoy one more season in Death Valley with my teammates and the greatest fans in the world,” Baskerville wrote on Instagram. “That’s why after talking with my family I have decided, I am going to come back, graduate and help coach Kelly and the rest of the staff get the Tigers back to where we’re supposed to be — at the top. Geaux Tigers! Forever LSU, Micah Baskerville.”

The Shreveport, La. native took over as a starter during his junior season in 2020 and started the last 20 games he has played in. Baskerville missed the Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State for undisclosed reason.

In 2021, he racked up 83 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, an interception and three passes breakups. The Tigers finished 6-7 on the season as Ed Orgeron was fired, but new head coach Brian Kelly is taking over the program and retooling the roster quickly.

For his career in 40 games, the former Evangel Christian standout has 171 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. In LSU’s run to a National Championship, he made 15 tackles, four of which went for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.

While LSU got good news from players like Baskerville to return, the staff has added 11 transfers into the fold to shore up the roster, and expect more on the way. So far, Florida International offensive lineman Miles Frazier, East Carolina long snapper Slade Roy, Arkansas safety Joe Foucha, Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks, Louisiana defensive back Mekhi Garner, Notre Dame punter Jay Bramblett, Virginia linebacker West Weeks, Penn State running back Noah Cain, Louisiana wide receiver Kyren Lacy, East Tennessee State offensive lineman Tre’Mond Shorts and Missouri defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo have transferred to LSU.

For new head coach Brian Kelly, retaining much of the roster was a key starting point for him and he hoped his reputation as a coach who has a strong bond with his players helped.

“I’ve been called a players’ coach, a CEO, demanding, whatever narrative you want to come up with,” Kelly said at his introductory press conference. “I think I’ve hit all of those. Look, I think the most important thing is you’d better have relationships with your players and you’d better know your players. You’d better know their strengths and weaknesses. You’d better be able to have the ability to reach your players and communicate with them and be demanding but never demeaning.

“I think you need to be all those things. But it starts with relationships with your players. However that’s characterized, however you want to put that sound bite out there, that’s me. But it’s going to start with I’m going to love my players. That’s the centerpiece of who I’ve been for 31 years as a head coach.”

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