LSU awards scholarships to walk-on linebacker and quarterback

On Friday, LSU LB Jonathan Rucker received quite a surprise, as he was placed on a scholarship for the upcoming season.

For the redshirt senior, it’s a well-deserved ending to his Tiger career, and he’ll be counted on to earn the scholarship this fall.

Rucker took to Twitter on Friday evening to announce the exciting news:

https://twitter.com/Popit4_Jruck51/status/898682644111773704

As a redshirt junior in 2016, Rucker played in every game and recorded seven special-teams tackles.

With Kendell Beckwith off in the NFL now, there could be a spot for Rucker to work his way into the rotation on defense. In fact, coach Ed Orgeron said he’d trust Rucker to play this fall:

Ed Orgeron said he would trust Ponchatoula's Jonathan Rucker with snaps in games at middle LB. Now he's on scholarship for his senior year. https://t.co/z4IYD0E2u8

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) August 18, 2017

Rucker wasn’t the only one to receive good news, as sophomore QB Caleb Lewis was also put on scholarship on Friday:

blessed to be put on a full scholarship thru my graduation #LSU
it's still push the rock…

— CL8 (@calebthefella) August 18, 2017

Congratulations to the two former walk-ons!