LSU safety John Battle received some good news from the NCAA recently. The 2017 season no longer has to be his final year of eligibility.
According to a report from The Advocate, the LSU safety received a fifth year of eligibility from the NCAA, which means he will be a redshirt junior this fall rather than a senior. This allows him to return for another year in 2018 if he chooses to do so. The NCAA decided to give Battle an extra year of eligibility to make up for a lost 2014 season that ended quickly with an injury in a game against an FCS opponent (Sam Houston State) in 2014.
Having Battle back on the depth chart for another potential season is an obvious boost for Ed Orgeron and the Tigers, as it gives one more veteran player to rely on at a key spot on the field. Having Battle around allows for more developmental time to be used for younger players working to prepare themselves for a starting job down the line.