LSU STUDENT SPEAKS OUT AFTER FOOTBALL PLAYER’S RAPE FINDING RESULTS IN PROBATION
LSU student Kendall Francis is speaking out after the university upheld a rape finding against football player Damien Shanklin but reduced his punishment to probation. Shanklin maintains his innocence as a criminal investigation continues.
Kendall Francis is sharing her account after LSU found football player Damien Shanklin responsible for rape through its disciplinary process. His punishment was reduced on appeal, allowing him to remain on the team while a criminal investigation continues.
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THE WORD
● Francis, 19, discussed her allegations with CBS News’ Jericka Duncan.
● The encounter occurred in October 2025.
● A recommended one-year suspension became four semesters of disciplinary probation.
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● Shanklin maintains his innocence.
LSU’s handling of a rape allegation against football player Damien Shanklin is receiving renewed attention after Kendall Francis spoke publicly about her experience in a CBS News interview.
According to WWLTV’s report, republished by Yahoo, Francis said she told Shanklin before visiting him that she did not want to have sex. She alleged that he later ignored her repeated requests to stop and her attempts to push him away.
Their accounts differed. According to the reporting, Shanklin told university investigators he continued after asking whether he should stop and receiving no response, and then stopped when she asked him to.
LSU’s Title IX process found Shanklin responsible for forcible rape. An appeal reviewer upheld that finding but reduced the recommended suspension to disciplinary probation without restrictions, Black Information Network reported.
Asked what she would tell university administrators, Francis told CBS News: “Y’all should do a better job at protecting women.”
YouTube/ CBS News
Shanklin’s attorneys said he maintains his innocence and is cooperating with investigators. LSU also said it is cooperating. The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office is investigating; the university’s disciplinary finding is separate from the criminal process.
Be apart of the conversation: What should accountability and student protection look like when a university upholds a sexual assault finding?
