It’s award watch list season. LSU junior running back Leonard Fournette was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which goes to the College Player of the Year. It’s a second straight year Fournette has appeared on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list after he rushed for 1,953 yards and a school record 22 touchdowns as a sophomore.

UL Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire is also on the Maxwell Award Watch List after he rushed for over one-thousand yards and 13 touchdowns last season. McGuire also caught 34 passes for three TDs.

Also, LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith, senior cornerback Tre’Davious White and junior safety Jamal Adams were all named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch list. The Bednarik Award goes to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Beckwith was a semifinalist last year after finishing second on the team in tackles.

Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin says USC guard Malik Marquetti will transfer to UL Lafayette and be eligible to play the 2017-18 season. The Compton, California native was a team captain for the Trojans team that made the NCAA Tournament this past season. He appeared in 27 games and averaged two points a contest.

Nick Phillips has been named the new director of athletic media relations at ULM. Phillips comes to Monroe after holding a similar position at UNC Asheville. He’s also a former Sports Information Director at LSU-Eunice.