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In a speech at a private luncheon today, Ed Orgeron announced that fifth-year senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture will wear the number 18 for the Tigers in 2017.
LaCouture had been a two-year starter and three-year contributor for the Tiger defensive line, when his 2016 season was cut short with a major knee injury in all camp.
He will inherit the number from cornerback Tre’davious White, who wore it the last two seasons. LaCouture will be the second defensive lineman to wear the number since the tradition began in 2004. Bennie Logan wore it as a junior in 2012.
The honor fits LaCouture, both as he returns from his injury for a fifth season, and on the heels of his family’s home receiving three feet of water in last August’s landmark flooding in the Baton Rouge area. He also took advantage of his time on the shelf to serve as an unofficial coach — while also absorbing as much as he could from Pete Jenkins. This Advocate feature paints a very nice picture of the honor for LaCouture and his family.
LaCouture is likely set to start at one of the defensive end positions for the Tigers in 2017.