Kendall Francis is speaking publicly about her allegation that LSU football player Damien Shanklin raped her nearly a year ago as a criminal investigation continues and Shanklin remains on the team despite a university finding that he was responsible for forcible rape.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News’ Jericka Duncan, Francis, now 19, recalled telling Shanklin before visiting him in October 2025 that she did not want to have sex.
“I mentioned in the FaceTime call before I went over there that I wasn't going to do anything sexual or have sex in general,” Francis said.
Both acknowledged that they consensually engaged in foreplay, but their accounts differed on what happened next. Francis told investigators she repeatedly said no and tried to push Shanklin off her. Shanklin said he continued after asking whether she wanted him to stop and receiving no response.
Francis said she confronted him immediately afterward, asking, “Do you know what you just did?” She recalled that he apologized before going to sleep. She waited until sunrise to leave.
That morning, Francis texted Shanklin that she might go to the hospital for a rape kit. Asked why she sent the message, she said, “It’s just a matter of like, who will believe me? Like all of these things that were running through my brain.”
Francis asked police to pursue criminal charges in September. The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office confirmed to ESPN that it is collecting materials and investigating. LSU police also described the case as an ongoing investigation.
In July, LSU found Shanklin responsible for forcible rape and recommended a one-year suspension. An administrative law judge upheld the finding on appeal but reduced his punishment to four semesters of disciplinary probation without restrictions.
The judge called the original punishment “exceedingly harsh.”
Shanklin remains on the football team roster but has not played this season, ESPN reported. His attorneys said he maintains his innocence and is cooperating with the criminal investigation.
Asked what she would tell LSU administrators, Francis said, “Y’all should do a better job at protecting women.”
LSU said it followed its policies, procedures and best practices during the Title IX investigation and will continue cooperating with the criminal investigation.
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