John Battle still thinks about what might have happened if he declared for the 2018 NFL draft this past winter.
The fifth-year senior gave it much consideration after totaling 61 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups in 12 games as the Tigers’ starting strong safety. It was solid follow-up to his 2016 season when he stepped in for an injured Rickey Jefferson halfway through the season and started the last seven games of the year at free safety.
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Florida-native would not even be in Baton Rouge if not for the NCAA granting him an extra year of eligibility after he received a medical hardship for his freshman year last summer. The decision to leave was something he had thought about strongly last year, and he had brought it up to the media after the Tigers’ game against Texas A&M.
“When I go on Instagram and I see [former defensive backs] Donte [Jackson] and I see Kevin [Toliver] on Instagram, I say, ‘Man, that’d have been kind of cool, you know, to be like that this year,’” Battle said last week. “But I am here now, and I’m happy about it. I’m excited for the season. I’m just happy to be back one more year because when I talk to [Jackson and Toliver] they all wish they were back here for one more year.”
Battle’s fellow fifth-year senior safety Ed Paris would most likely be taking part in a NFL camp right now if not for a devastating knee injury in practice leading up to LSU’s game against Syracuse. Originally a cornerback during his first three seasons at LSU before moving to free safety in 2017, Paris was tied with Greedy Williams for team-high four passes defended through the first three games of last season and came close to catching his first career interception against BYU last September.
Players on the team — Battle included — wrote “Ed” across their wristbands against Syracuse to show their support for Paris when he saw his true senior season cut short after finally carving out a key spot in the team after waiting three years in a deep and talented secondary.
The safety duo along with guard Garrett Brumfield, and tight end Jacory Washington were referred to as “the grandparents of the team” by Battle, and are the only remaining members of the much-heralded 2014 recruiting class that included Leonard Fournette, Jamal Adams, Davon Godchaux, Malachi Dupre and DJ Chark.
“We did have the trying to win the national championship with our class, and we fell short of that mission,” Battle said. “But, luckily, I’m here, Ed’s still here, Brumfield’s still here, we can still complete that mission. That’s our goal this year — to definitely win a national championship.”
While Battle’s announcement regarding his decision involved a video of his highlights followed up by Ben Affleck’s Batman lighting up the bat signal, Paris quietly waited for the NCAA to approve his medical redshirt.
Don’t expect Paris to be labeled as Battle’s Robin in 2018, however. He has another nickname.
“We call Ed ‘uncle,’” Battle said.
Paris’ bald head and nickname may fool some, but he’s still only 23 years old,— a prime age to come back from a knee injury.
He’ll get a chance to test out his rehabilitated knee against Miami on Sept. 2 in Arlington, Texas, the place where he and his family relocated to after his home in New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina during final week of August in 2005.
“It’s great to have him back,” Battle said. “Glad he’s 100 percent healthy, I just want to see him excel.”
How much Paris plays is still up in the air. He has been in-and-out of practice and is currently listed as third on the depth chart at strong safety behind sophomores Grant Delpit and Jacoby Stevens.
Either way, Paris has been making an impact off the field along with Battle.
“Great leadership, great guys, teaching [younger players] how we do it at LSU, tremendous,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “Making the calls back there, being the quarterback of the defense.”
Those qualities are inline with what defensive coordinator Dave Aranda wants to see out of the Tigers defense in 2018.
“He had three things,” Battle said. “Tough, dependable, smart.”
LSU junior safety John Battle (26) celebrates after taking out Alabama freshman wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the Tigers' 24-10 loss against Alabama on Nov. 4, 2017, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
