LSU Secures Trio of 2018 Evangel Christian Defenders

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

LSU’s coaching staff has heated up the recruiting trail since the beginning of the year adding seven verbal commitments to the 2018 class. Three came on Saturday during a Junior Day event picking up Evangel Christian teammates ArDarius Washington, Davin Cotton, and Micah Baskerville.

If there was a great team to pick up rising talents from off the 2016 roster, the Eagles were an excellent choice. Evangel captured a Louisiana state title last season topping Scotlandville 38-6 for the 5A trophy. The defense was dominating with five shutouts including three consecutive against University Academy, Southwood, and Captain Shreve. Through 14 games, the Eagles allowed 155 points on the season for an average of 11 points per game.

Washington had at least five interceptions for the Eagles last season covering over top as a free safety and coming down on the line to take on the slot. The 5-10, 175 pound, defensive back was starting to pick up offers and interest when he committed to the Tigers. Texas-San Antonio had offered with Arkansas reportedly showing interest.

Baskerville is another recruiting gem LSU has picked up before the rest of college football took notice. The 6-2, 215 pound, playmaker’s only offer was from LSU. Baskerville announced his commitment on Twitter with a post reading, “Geaux tigers #commited [sic].”

The headline grabber of the trio, for now, is four-star tackle Davin Cotton. The 6-1, 262 pound, lineman had a breakout sophomore season with 51 total stops with 14 behind the line of scrimmage with three sacks, three forced fumbles, and a pick-six. Cotton had offers from UTSA, Tulane, and Tennessee before pledging to LSU.

247Sports rates LSU’s 2018 class No. 4 in the nation, No. 1 overall in the SEC. Rivals also has LSU ranked No. 4 with five four-star players and three three-star talents. Seven of LSU’s 10 verbal commits are in-state talents.

LSU 2018 Verbal Commitment List (10)

CB Kelvin Joseph, 6-1, 185, Scotlandville Magnet, Baton Rouge, LA

SS Nadab Joseph, 6-2, 173, Edison HS, Miami, FL

SS Caden Sterns, 6-1, 173, Steele HS, Cibolo, TX

FS ArDarius Washington, 5-10, 175, Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA

LB Micah Baskerville, 6-2, 215, Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA

LB Damone Clark, 6-3, 218, Southern Univ. Lab, Baton Rouge, LA

DE Travez Moore, 6-6, 250, Copiah-Lincoln C.C., Wesson, MS

DT Davin Cotton, 6-1, 262, Evangel Christian, Shreveport, LA

DT Nelson Jenkins, 6-4, 280, Plaquemine HS, Plaquemine, LA

WR Kenan Jones, 6-3, 205, Berwick HS, Berwick, LA

Photo credit: twitter.com; Davin Cotton at LSU.