LSU Football · Case Overview

Damien Shanklin
LSU Investigation

Public reporting identifies LSU defensive end Damien Shanklin as the football player connected to Kendall Francis's allegation, LSU's Title IX proceeding, and an ongoing criminal investigation in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Public Identification

What the Record Shows

Damien Shanklin
Damien Shanklin · LSU defensive end

ESPN publicly identified Damien Shanklin on October 1, 2026, as the LSU football player whose Title IX case and rape allegation are being investigated by LSU Police and the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office.

ESPN reported from documents it reviewed that LSU's Office of Civil Rights and Title IX found Shanklin responsible for forcible rape in July 2026. LSU initially imposed a two-semester suspension. On appeal, the responsibility finding remained in place while the sanction was reduced to four semesters of disciplinary probation without restrictions.

LSU Athletics continues to list Shanklin on its 2026 football roster. No arrest, indictment, or criminal charge had been publicly announced in the reporting located for this archive through October 7, 2026. His attorneys say he maintains his innocence and will cooperate with the investigation.

Read the Full Source Record
LSU Title IX · Appeal · Criminal Investigation Current through Oct. 7, 2026

Case Status

LSU administrative finding and separate criminal investigation

Kendall Francis made an official police report on September 21, 2026. The next day, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore confirmed that the matter had been brought to his office for review and that records, interviews, evidence, and other materials were being requested.

LSU's Title IX responsibility finding is an administrative university finding. The criminal investigation is separate and remains ongoing.

Current status: No criminal charge had been publicly announced through October 7, 2026.
LSU Title IX Finding Appeal Decision Criminal Investigation Kendall Francis Case East Baton Rouge Investigation