Nostalgia may set in for LSU fans when Dakota Dean takes the diamond for the Tigers in 2014.
Tiger fans likely remember the last name from Dean’s older brother, Blake, who was a key member of LSU’s 2009 national championship team. The elder Dean is among LSU’s all-time greatest hitters, ranking second in hits and RBIs and fourth in home runs in program history.
The younger Dean, a Crestview High School junior who was a first team all-area shortstop as a sophomore, was able to witness his older brother work his way through the LSU program under coach Paul Mainieri en route to becoming an eighth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.
Dakota said Mainieri’s presence as the program’s skipper has had a big impact on him committing to LSU.
“[Dakota] got a front-row seat to LSU,” Blake said. “He got to experience the fans and the tailgating and the football games, so I didn’t have to tell him too much.”
Dakota spurned in-state schools such as Florida and Florida State, among others, for a chance to don the purple and gold.
LSU’s facilities, coupled with its recent success on the field, helped to influence Dakota’s commitment.
“Florida is a good program year in and year out, but they really haven’t won anything recently, and Florida State made it to the College World Series a few times, but they couldn’t pull it through,” Dakota said. “LSU has been on top recently, and they always have a good baseball program.”
A left-handed slugger like his brother, Dakota has similar stature to Blake, standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds.
Dakota has also chosen a path to the one his brother took just a few years prior. Both Deans chose to leave the state of Florida in pursuit of success at the collegiate level.
Blake’s experience has been critical in Dakota’s decision, as the older brother has been able to provide guidance to the rising star.
“I told [Dakota] if you don’t think LSU is the best fit for you, fair enough,” Blake said. “But if you do, you know the table is set for you and you just have to go over there and do the best you can because it’s already laid out for you.”
LSU fans might also have the opportunity to see another two-sport star, as Dakota has received interest from Tiger football coaches as well. The Crestview shortstop was also a first-team all-area performer at quarterback for the high school’s football team, but he is uncertain if he will split time between the two sports in college.
“When I went to LSU, I knew I could potentially have a chance to win and be successful at the same time,” Blake said. “People love all their sports [at LSU], so I wanted to come experience something completely different, and I ended up falling in love with the people, the fans, and I love the food.”
 
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