By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Welcome to our 4th ever season-ending top 10 performers list, with links right here to our past 2019, 2020, and 2021 top 10's (links in purple), we now hit our 2022 final season ending calibrations.
With a new Head Coach in Brian Kelly and his entirely revamped staff, wildly different approach or philosophy compared to prior head man Ed Orgeron, while nearly 25% of their teammates and 2021 coaches exited amid Kelly's transition, it's a major sense of pride to see so many Tigers excel in 2022....in fact, we were forced to leave off 3 Tigers who could've easily fit on this list.
We will list those three when the top 10 countdown concludes....but for now, get into this, get yourself relaxed, drink something warm, eat something good, jive on our vibe and dive into the ultimate 2022 breakdown:
7. MICAH BASKERVILLE
84 Tackles (1st)
11 Pressures
8 QB Hurries
6 PBUs (2nd)
4.5 TFLs
1 Sack
1 INT (Tied for 1st)
-Returned for TD
1 Blocked Punt
-Led to safety
Leading Matt House's superb defensive unit with 84 tackles (13 ahead of 2nd place Greg Penn III) while missing out on 162 possible snaps, Baskerville was immense for a third straight year as a Tiger.
Compiling his second consecutive season of 80+ tackles, Baskerville was a steady hand among the Tigers' young linebacker corps, routinely making stops in space.
Baskerville racked up six performances of 9+ tackles, including 9 each vs Georgia, Ole Miss, the late Mike Leach's Mississippi State & A&M; LSU's 2019 champion super senior also recorded 15 tackles vs Tennessee.
LSU's 2019 veteran senior added 6 pass breakups (2nd most on the team) including a pick six (his second straight season with an interception & his second LSU touchdown).
The longtime LSU Tiger even blocked a punt; Eating up the backfield all year long for 11 pressures, 8 QB Hurries, 2 QB hits, 4.5 tackles for loss, plus a sack, Baskerville now possesses 2 years of complete linebacker film to showcase as part of his burgeoning Draft resume.
Without Baskerville, the middle of Matt House's defense would've been in trouble this season, #23's speed & intelligence often counted on to make up large chunks of ground.
At the back end, Micah's 6 pass breakups point to his significant growth in coverage, although he'll need to work on his anticipation and movement in preparation for a league that will test him over the top....due to obvious height mismatches.
Baskerville can overcome the height disadvantage through his reading of the game, but that will only take him so far. He'll likely end up as a premium run stuffing linebacker at the next level.
Versatile, dependable, and overlooked due to his safe consistency, Micah was a huge part of 2022 LSU's defensive success.
He might just surpise viewers, scouts, GMs or analysts during this Spring's NFL Draft.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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