A female student has asked law enforcement to pursue rape charges against and LSU football player.
Kendall Francis, the alleged victim, says LSU defensive end Damien Shanklin is responsible for “forceable rape.” In July, the LSU Office of Civil Rights and Title IX found Shanklin to be at fault.
Shanklin was suspended from the football team during fall camp. Lane Kiffin declined to comment on Shanklin’s standing with the team this week.
On September 14, Francis posted on TikTok accusing Shanklin of the crime.
Janet Waguespack, Administrative Law Judge, gave a decision on the case in August determining that the punishment was “exceedingly harsh” and added that the incident “occurred only on one occasion and the time was brief.” She added that it was “an error in judgement” as opposed to “a deliberate disregard for the dignity and autonomy” of the Complainant.
ESPN is reporting that the two engaged in consensual sexual contact in October of 2025, and Shanklin proceeded to have penetrative sex with Francis without consent for a period of 20 seconds before stopping.
Records indicate that Francis wanted to go to the hospital for a rape kit the next morning before Shanklin made a comment about ending her life. When asked by Shanklin’s mother not to report the incident to authorities, Francis asked how much money she could get by taking the offer.
Shanklin sent $1,000 to Francis via a cash app.
LSU insists that the situation has been handled professionally and thoroughly. The investigation is ongoing.
