The LSU Tigers will have to replace not one, but two starting linebackers from the 2021 roster. After Damone Clarkeopted to skip the bowl game and declare for the NFL draft, his fellow linebacker Micah Baskerville will do the same and forgo his extra year of eligibility.
According to this report from Geaux247, Baskerville won’t return to the Tigers in 2022 but instead declare for the NFL draft.
Like some others on the roster, LSU senior linebacker Micah Baskerville had an extra year of eligibility he could use since the 2020 season did count towards a player’s eligibility. Like several of his teammates, the Shreveport, La. native announced on his Instagram page he was declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Baskerville emerged as a regular starter during his junior season in 2020 and started the final 20 games he played in. He missed the Texas Bowl for undisclosed reasons but finished second on the team with 83 tackles – 9.0 for loss – a pair of sacks, an interception and three passes broken up.
Baskerville and Clark combined for 218 tackles, 26 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks this past season. A large part of that production came from Clark, but Baskerville was a vital part of the linebacker group. New defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Matt House will be tasked with replacing them.
We saw part of the future plan in the Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State. The team used Mike Jones Jr and Greg Penn III in the game. They could be the started duo or incoming recruit DeMario Tolan could be part of the rotation. Clark will now focus on the Senior Bowl while Baskerville prepares for the NFL draft.