College football practice is kicking off around the country. At LSU, sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett switched his number from three to five. He is the first player to wear the number since Jayden Daniels. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says the number was promised to him by the previous staff during his recruitment.

Cut 19 (07) “…he was told.”

Kiffin says they have the pieces to be a really good team. Quarterback Sam Leavitt was a full go for the first day of camp, and Kiffin says the simple language of his offense helps transfers get up to speed fast.

Former LSU receiver Barion Brown has stood out at Saints training camp after New Orleans drafted him in the sixth round. Head coach Kellen Moore says they knew he could be a productive receiver from his time in the SEC.

Cut 16 (11) “…and play.”

UL-Lafayette started practice today. The Cajuns’ receiver room is led by redshirt junior Shelton Sampson Jr., who made 32 catches for 537 yards and six touchdowns last year. Behind him, coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s relying on a group of inexperienced pass catchers to take the next step.

Cut 18 (11) “…of them to.”

Louisiana Tech kicked off its first practice as a Sun Belt Conference school. Coach Sonny Cumbie says the Bulldogs have a lot of returning production and are ready to surprise a new conference. He says the strength of his defense is the front seven, but the secondary is experienced as well.

Cut 21 (09) “…created takeaways.”

Tech lost almost all of its starting secondary from last year before the bowl game. The Bulldogs beat Coastal Carolina 23-14 in the Independence Bowl.

The first LSU fall camp under Lane Kiffin has officially begun. The Tigers hit the practice field this morning as they prepare a completely revamped roster. Preston Guy with Tiger Bait-dot-com says there are a lot of questions surrounding Kiffin’s first LSU team, most of which deal with chemistry.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to the team (2x).”

LSU was ranked number-13 in the preseason coaches poll and has a ranked week one matchup with 23^rd-ranked Clemson September 5.

LSU Baseball coach Jay Johnson told Tiger Rag Radio he thought there was a zero-point-one-percent chance second-round MLB draft pick and top signee Logan Schmidt made it to campus, but he is thrilled that he did.

Cut 20 (13) “…by trade.”

Schools around the state are kicking off fall camp today. UL-Lafayette finished 6-and-7 last year but closed the regular season on a four-game win streak. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says preseason camp is when he finds what his players have to offer and establishes an identity.

Cut 16 (14) “…the football part.”

The Cajuns open their season at home against Lamar.

LA Tech is preparing for its first season in the Sun Belt Conference. The Bulldogs were 8-and-5 in their first winning season under head coach Sonny Cumbie last year. Starting quarterback Blake Baker returns from a season-ending ACL injury last year and says he’s setting out to prove one thing entering a new conference.

Cut 19 (07) “…big-time player.”

The Bulldogs host Northwestern State to kick off the season.

LSU was ranked 13^th in the US LBM preseason coaches poll. The Tigers play six teams in the top 25. Their week one opponent, Clemson, was ranked 23rd. Texas is number four. Texas A&M is eighth, Ole Miss tenth, Alabama 11th and Tennessee 18th. Ohio State finished number one and received over half of the first-place votes.

LSU kicks off practice under head coach Lane Kiffin tomorrow, and one key position group to watch will be the wideouts. Kiffin brought in nine transfers and three freshmen wide receivers this offseason. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says one or two of the newcomers in that crowded, talented room are going to separate themselves.

Cut 17 (17) “…be thinking about.”

UL-Lafayette head coach Michael Desormeaux spoke to the media before practice kicks off tomorrow. He says he has been proud of how his team has prepared this summer.

Cut 20 (17) “…about this group.”

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is the highest-paid halfback in NFL history. The 2023 eighth-overall pick signed a three-year, 75-million-dollar extension. Robinson racked up nearly four-thousand rushing yards and two-thousand receiving yards and scored 34 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker was carted off the field at practice today and is believed to have suffered a torn ACL. Walker was the 15^th-overall pick in last year’s draft and had 36 tackles and 5-and-a-half sacks as a rookie in snaps at both edge rusher and outside linebacker last season.

LSU was ranked 13^th in the US LBM preseason coaches poll. Ohio State was ranked number one, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame. There are nine SEC teams in the top 25. Texas A-and-M is eighth with Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Alabama directly behind them. Tennessee is number 18, and Missouri landed at 25.

LSU players report for coach Lane Kiffin’s first fall camp in Baton Rouge today. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU’s roster is as talented as any on paper, and Kiffin is a genius. But Tiger fans can’t expect a perfect season with how difficult LSU’s schedule is. The Tigers have back-to-back matchups with Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M in September, and Alabama and Texas in November.

Cut 18 (17) “…to be better.”

Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt was named to the Maxwell Award Preseason Watchlist. The honor goes to the college football player of the year each season. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the award last year, and Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels both won at LSU.

Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive end Princewill Umanmielen were named to the Nagurski Trophy preseason watchlist for the top defensive player. Offensive tackle Jordan Seaton made the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist for the best interior lineman.

The Atlanta Falcons have made two-time Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson signed a three-year extension worth up to 75-million-dollars, with 51-million of that guaranteed. His new 22.5-million-dollar-per-year mark surpasses Eagles running back Saquon Barkley’s 20.6-million-dollar-per-year contract.

Former McNeese and Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Tommy McClelland is being hired to take the same job at Purdue. McClelland has spent the last three years at Rice and served six years in Lake Charles and eight in Ruston, where he infamously asserted that the Bulldogs’ Conference USA was superior to the Sun Belt Conference.

Former LSU ace Anthony Eyanson was traded to the Orioles organization. Eyanson was part of a trade that brought All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox. Eyanson was one of three players included in the deal.

Former Tiger Josh Smith is also on the move. The Rangers infielder was traded to the Blue Jays along with pitcher Josh Stephan in exchange for left-handed pitcher Adam Macko. Smith is hitting .213 with eight RBIs and one homer in 45 games this season.

LSU football players report for Lane Kiffin’s first fall camp in Baton Rouge tomorrow. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says he’ll be keeping his eye on the offense as much more of the defense returns under coordinator Blake Baker. His biggest concern lies with the offensive line.

Cut 20 (17) “…Weston Davis.”

Former UL-Lafayette pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is now a Blue Jay. The Astros hurler was traded to Toronto for outfielder Daulton Varsho. The former Cajun is in his third MLB season and is posting a 4.60 ERA in 17 starts. The two teams face off tonight at 7:10.

The Saints had their first padded practice today. Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will need to adjust to the NFL’s physicality. He is known for his explosive playmaking after the catch and twitchy route running. He says he’s always had those skills.

Cut 18 (10) “…obtain that ability.”

The Saints drafted Tyson eighth overall out of Arizona State.

The SEC and Big Ten have announced their support for the Protect College Sports Act, and NCAA President Charlie Baker is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the bill before a month-long recess Friday. Majority Leader John Thune expressed concern it may get filibustered, and the Senate will not have time for a vote.