By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
VII.
MICAH BASKERVILLE (LB)
83 TACKLES (2nd)
9 TFLs (3rd)
1 INT (2nd)
It's hard, even impossible not to include the 6th year super senior linebacker among our Best XI: Micah's high octane, all action displays, throughout a season which offered players every reason to quit, were of greater influence than even his definitive grasp on the team's 2nd leading tackling spot.
Micah Baskerville supplied maximum energy for a defense severely in need of a fighting pulse, firmly assisting #18 Damone Clark over the middle of LSU's linebacker unit.
#23 was a menace on most, if not every snap, flying around the perimeter with a breathtaking frenzy, frequently penetrating the backfield, cleaning up on the ground, or leaving receivers frozen in their tracks immediately after catches, LSU's 2019 veteran and 2021 senior displayed the precise mentality LSU fans were hungry to see from our beleaguered defense.
Improving mightily each start, Baskerville even began breaking up passes (2nd on the team with 3), one of his weakest attributes throughout his career. Micah came up with a pick six in summer training & followed it up by snatching his first career LSU interception against eternal foes Florida.
Overall, it was the Shreveport native's expert heroism and utmost violence against Alabama, A&M, Florida, Arkansas, and Auburn which captured our attention most, able to pressure the quarterback successfully on one rep, pull off a big time 3rd and short tackle for loss on another, right alongside some game changing stops which prevented 6 or 7 yard gains from becoming 20-30 yard plays.
It was his mastery of the little things which made Micah's final year as a Tiger so powerful: wrapping up solo tackles as if his life depended on it, erasing high profile ball carriers with a fearless panache, recalling some of the Tigers' best attacking linebacker play of the past....
Baskerville was an absolute beast at linebacker throughout 2021, creating big plays, feasting on opponents as one of the SEC's top tacklers, among the best nationally as far as general improvement over the past two seasons.
Underlined by Micah's 12 tackles, 3.5 TFL & career high 2 sacks vs Arkansas, his 9 stops vs Florida & Ole Miss, the reckless abandon of Baskerville's redemptive performance vs Alabama....#23 left nothing to be desired, no more oil remaining in his tank....
Wearing an SEC title, a National Championship, having scored the only touchdown on special teams during 2019's historic run, finishing his final two seasons as a starter garnering back to back years in the top 5 on the team's tackling list, LSU's 2022 NFL Draft LB ended his career at the top.
THANK YOU FOR 6 GREAT YEARS, MICAH!
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2022 Uninterrupted writings Inc
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We saw so much growth from this young man. I hope he gets a real good look in the NFL.