NFL Draft Profile: Micah Baskerville, Linebacker, LSU Tigers
Micah Baskerville LSU Tigers
#23
Pos: LB
Ht: 6005
Wt: 221
Hand: 0958
Arm: 3128
Wing: 7778
40: 4.70
DOB: 10/19/1999
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
High School: Evangel Christian Academy
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Baskerville has good movement skills for coverage and plenty of special teams experience, but he lacks the physical tools to be a high-volume player in the NFL.
Evaluation:
Baskerville took official measurements at the NFLPA Bowl. He’s 6005 and weighs 221 lbs. He has 9 7/8-inch hands, 32-inch arms, and a 77 3/4-inch wingspan. Baskerville played more than 560 special teams snaps split across five different units at LSU, which provides him with an early opportunity to see playing time in the NFL. The Louisiana native has plus movement skills and quick feet, which makes him an asset in zone coverage. He’s able to cover ground quickly and gain necessary depth. Baskerville also displays the recovery speed and athleticism to cover some tight ends in man coverage. He has fluid lateral movement skills and light feet. Baskerville takes advantage of his speed and stature to shoot gaps and slip through small cracks in the offensive line. He frequently shows good patience with his run fits and tracks the ball in the backfield well. Baskerville is patient and poised approaching tackles and displays a hot motor in pursuit. As a fifth-year senior, he’s an older prospect. The former four-star recruit is undersized to play linebacker. He lacks true sideline-to-sideline range and struggles to deal with climbing linemen. Linemen absorb and push Baskerville around because of his lack of mass. He struggles to disengage from blocks. Baskerville can be sucked downhill prematurely by action in the backfield, which opens holes in coverage behind him. He doesn’t offer upside as a full-time slot defender. Baskerville prefers to drag down ball carriers instead of driving through them. He occasionally takes poor angles to the football and lacks the burst to cover for these mistakes against explosive ball carriers.
Grade:
UDFA
Background:
Micah Baskerville is a veteran on the defensive side of the ball who has been a key contributor at linebacker during his career. Named to the Butkus Award Watch List for the 2022 season. Top returning tackler for the Tigers in 2022 after finishing second on the team with 83 a year ago. Outstanding all-around linebacker who brings leadership and experience to the field. He can play the inside or outside linebacker position. He has appeared in 40 games during his career, starting 20 times. He’s had 171 career tackles to go with 18.0 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Baskerville returns for a fifth year of eligibility in 2022.
