Former LSU pitcher Marcos Paz committed to Georgia. The righty made 17 appearances and six starts for the Tigers as a freshman last season and went 1-and-4 with a 9.20 ERA and 40 strikeouts. He was a late, surprise departure in the transfer portal.

Grambling finished second in the SWAC West and Southern came in fifth in the conference preseason poll. The Tigers finished 7-and-5 last season and 4-and-4 in conference play. SWAC TV announcer Santoria Black says Mickey Joseph’s squad has some big questions to answer, but their five home games this season make them a team to watch.

Cut 20 (17) “…have a shot.”

Former LSU quarterback Bert Jones, the first All-American signal caller in LSU history, will have his number seven jersey retired in Death Valley November 14 during the Texas game. Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have a jersey retired. Jones said he was stunned to receive the honor.

Cut 9 (12) “…list for me.”

Sun Belt Media Days kicked off in New Orleans today. Louisiana Tech finished fourth in the West in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs are led by fifth-year head coach Sonny Cumbie, and Locked On Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz expects them to compete in their first Sun Belt season.

Cut 17 (14) “…that preseason poll.”

LSU announced its representatives at SEC football Media Days in Tampa next week. LSU will send linebacker Whit Weeks, tight end Trey’Dez Green and transfer linebacker TJ Dottery. Other top players from around the SEC headed to Tampa include Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed and Ole Miss’s backfield duo of Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.

Jay Johnson is preparing to welcome one of LSU’s top-rated high school classes ever as the group of signees comes into focus following the MLB Draft. Foxworth, Mississippi, right-handed pitcher Kolby Stringer ranked 110th in MLB’s draft prospect rankings. The 6-3, 205-pounder was not selected in the Major League draft and will head to Baton Rouge. Glen West of On3.com says he shot up draft boards late.

Cut 17 (13) “…bullpen next year.”

LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper could face legal action from Ole Miss after failing to pay the buyouts for their revenue-sharing contracts with the Rebels. The pair signed to stay at Ole Miss in January before deciding to transfer to LSU with head coach Lane Kiffin. On3-dot-com reports the buyouts total nearly one million dollars which Ole Miss could try to get from LSU. Rebels Athletic Director Keith Carter did not rule out legal action and said the school is determined to get their money back.

Umanmielen was one of eight Tigers to make ESPN’s top 100 transfers for this season, coming in at number five. Quarterback Sam Leavitt was number two on the list and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton was third. Wide receivers Jayce Brown, Winnie Watkins and Tre Wilson also made the list, along with safety Ty Benefield and edge rusher Jordan Ross.

McNeese announced new sponsored patches coming to their football jerseys. The patch on the upper left chest of the jersey features a Navarre Chevrolet logo in conjunction with the naming of Navarre Stadium. Last year, Ryan Navarre signed a $5 million naming rights agreement for the football stadium.

Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter is considering taking LSU football players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper to court for failing to pay their contract buyouts. The duo signed revenue-sharing contracts with Ole Miss before transferring to LSU this offseason, and now the Rebels are seeking the nearly one million dollars it would take for the pair to buy out the contracts. If the former Rebels are sued, LSU would likely foot the bill.

Only nine of LSU’s class of 22 incoming prep signees were taken in the MLB draft, and two top position players are already expected to choose Baton Rouge over the pros. On3.com’s Glen West says this class is one Tiger fans may look back on as a program-changer.

Cut 18 (20) “…they’re that talented.”

Eight Tigers were listed in ESPN’s ranking of the top 100 transfers in college football. Quarterback Sam Leavitt led the LSU contingent at number two overall, followed by offensive tackle Jordan Seaton at three and edge Princewill Umanmielen at five. Wide receivers Jayce Brown, Winnie Watkins and Tre Wilson also made the list, along with safety Ty Benefield and edge rusher Jordan Ross.

UL Lafayette was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt West in this year’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Louisiana Tech was picked fourth and ULM came last in the seven-team division.

Cajuns wideout Shelton Sampson Jr. and D-B Brent Gordon Jr. joined Bulldogs linebacker Kolbe Fields, Warhawks linebacker Noah Flemmings and ULM offensive lineman AJ Vinson on the preseason All-Sun Belt first team.

Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Jake Dalmado was one of 30 players named to the Buck Buchanan Award watchlist. The accolade is given out annually to the best defensive player in the FCS. Dalmado was a two-time All-Southland selection at Nicholls before transferring to the Lions this offseason. He was also a Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American.

Former LSU outfielder Derek Curiel was taken fifth overall in the MLB Draft by Pittsburgh. The Pirates are an improving team led by former LSU star Paul Skenes. Last year, Pittsburgh drafted former LSU slugger Jared Jones, and he’s been doing well in High A-Ball. Curiel is looking forward to being teammates again with “The Bear”…

Cut 18 (25) remember him a lot.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown from Sulphur. Right-handed reliever Devin Sheerin was taken by the Phillies in the fourth round. Eight Tigers were taken in all. Nine LSU signees were selected, but two, outfielders Malachi Washington and Dominic Santarelli, have already announced plans to come to Baton Rouge.

The Sun Belt Conference released its preseason polls for this season. UL Lafayette was picked to finish second in the West division behind Troy, LA Tech was picked fourth in its inaugural season and ULM finished last.

The Cajuns placed two on the all-conference first team and two on the second team. Redshirt junior wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. and sophomore defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. were named to the first team and redshirt senior offensive lineman Kaden Moreau and redshirt senior defensive lineman Fitzgerald West Jr. took second team honors.

ULM also landed four all-conference selections. Senior O-lineman AJ Vinson and senior linebacker Noah Flemmings received the first-team nod, and senior receiver Nic Trujillo and senior D-B Jabari Tiller are on the second team.

For LA Tech, graduate linebacker Kolbe Fields was named to the first-team defense, and senior tight end Eli Finley was a second-team selection.

Sun Belt Media days kick off in New Orleans on Wednesday. Players and coaches from all three Louisiana schools will appear Thursday, along with the rest of the Sun Belt West.

LSU outfielder Derek Curiel was selected fifth overall by the Pirates in the MLB draft this weekend. He led LSU in hitting this past season and was named a Third-Team All-American. Curiel on what he plans to bring to the Pittsburgh organization…

Cut 17 (20) “…do that.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown, and sophomore right-hander Devin Sheerin went to the Phillies in the fourth round.

On day two, five LSU relievers went off the board. Grant Fontenot was picked by Kansas City in the tenth, Santiago Garcia went to Toronto in the 12^th, Connor Benge was selected in the 13^th by Miami, Gavin Guidry went in round 16 to the Mets and Cleveland picked Zac Cowan in the 19^th.

Northwestern State right-hander Dylan Marionneaux was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the MLB draft. He was 4-and-2 with a 3.51 ERA this season.

Louisiana Tech ace Declan Dahl was picked in the fifth round by the Tigers after winning Conference USA Newcomer of the Year this year with a 3.54 ERA and 102 strikeouts.

Record-setting McNeese hurler Eric Nachtsheim was picked by the Giants in the 6^th round. He was the Southland reliever of the year with a program-record 129 Ks.

UL Lafayette righty Cody Brasch joined Nachtsheim in San Francisco in the 8^th round after leading the Sun Belt with a 2.77 ERA this season.

Nine of LSU’s class of 22 signees were taken, but a few headliners have already pledged to come to campus. Outfielder Malachi Washington is the No. 28 ranked high school prospect in the nation and will head to LSU after being picked No. 528 by Pittsburgh. Outfielder-first baseman Dominic Santerelli was ranked No. 45 in the high school class and will not sign with the Mariners after Seattle picked him 550^th overall.