LSU and Saints legends Tyrann Mathieu and Jimmy Graham both announced their retirements today. Mathieu has spent 12 seasons in the NFL and the last three at home in New Orleans. He was a standout at St. Augustine High School and became the legendary “Honey Badger” in two electric seasons at LSU. Mathieu earned three Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections and was a member of the 2010s All-Decade team. Saints GM Mickey Loomis

Cut 20 (10) “…was fantastic.”

Graham was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2010 draft. He played 13 NFL seasons, earning five Pro Bowl selections. Graham retires as the fifth all-time touchdown scorer among tight ends and is tied for fourth among all Saints players.

The Saints reported for camp today and will begin practice tomorrow.

Sun Belt Media Days in New Orleans kicked off today. ULM started 5-and-1 before losing its last six under first-year head coach Bryant Vincent last season. Vincent says he built a culture players bought into despite growing pains.

Cut 14 (12) “…role in that.”

UL-Lafayette was picked to win the Sun Belt West in the conference preseason poll. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says there’s no secret to success.

Cut 16 (09) “…it takes work.”

Louisiana Tech boasted the twelfth-ranked total defense last season but had to replace coordinator Jeremiah Johnson. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says most of the D-line is new.

Cut 19 (10) “…get better.”

The Saints report for head coach Kellen Moore’s first training camp in New Orleans today. New Orleans-dot-football reporter Mike Triplett says it will be a true open battle for the starting quarterback spot between second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough.

Cut 7 (13) “…for this team.”

Rattler threw for over 13-hundred yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven appearances last season. New Orleans went 0-and7 in those appearances.

The Saints released their highly anticipated all-gold alternate jersey today. Returning for the first time since 2002, the gold base has white-lined black numbers and will be worn with black pants and the alternate black helmet. The new alternates will replace the team’s throwback uniforms.

McNeese was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference preseason poll. After ten seasons away from Lake Charles, head coach Matt Viator has returned to McNeese. He says he’s happy to be back home competing in the Southland Conference.

Cut 18 (15) “…special to me.”

Northwestern State was picked ninth out of ten teams. The Demons are one of the youngest teams in the country, with 50 incoming and redshirt freshmen. Head coach Blaine McCorkle says these young talents have been great for building a new culture in Natchitoches, but their development will take time.

Cut 17 (16)  “…want to build.”

Southland Conference coaches and players spoke to media in San Antonio today. Nicholls will open the season week zero in the first college football game played on American soil this season. Defending Southland Conference champions Incarnate Word will visit Thibodaux August 23. Colonels head coach Tommy Rybacki says it’s a big opportunity for the community, the program and his team.

Cut 7 (14) “…any other way.”

The Colonels were picked to finish fifth in the Southland preseason poll. Northwestern State was picked ninth, McNeese sixth and Southeastern third.

Lions head coach Frank Scelfo is welcoming back 25 seniors.

Cut 21 (07) “…with each other.”

Louisiana Tech redshirt senior linebacker Kolbe Fields was named the preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. Fields was an All-CUSA second team selection last season when he was second on the team with 71 tackles. Bulldogs head coach Sonny Cumbie will be joined by offensive lineman Landon Nelson and cornerback Cedrick Woods at C-USA media day tomorrow.

UL-Lafayette was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt West in the media preseason poll released today. The Cajuns had six preseason All-Sun Belt selections. Defensive lineman Jordan Lawson and D-B Tyree Skipper were named to the first team. Running back Bill Davis, offensive linemen Jax Harrington and George Jackson and linebacker Cameron Whitfield landed on the second team.

ULM was predicted last in the division. The Warhawks’ lone all-conference selection was first-team defensive lineman Kevontay Wells.

Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff announced his commitment to Tulane today. The junior left the Cougars after facing sexual assault allegations that were dismissed this offseason. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season as he led the Cougars to a 10-and-2 record.

Southland Conference Football Media Day is today in San Antonio. Southeastern was predicted to finish third in the Southland Conference in the preseason poll after finishing second last season. The Lions narrowly missed out on the playoffs and a conference championship after two three-point losses to ranked FCS opponents last year. This year, senior defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor says they’re focusing on the details to find those missing three points.

Cut 8 (14) “…handle business.”

The Lions will kick off the season at Louisiana Tech August 30.

Former Edna Karr football player Corey Adams was killed in Cordova, Tennessee on Saturday night. He was found fatally shot in a vehicle outside of a residence. Four other men were shot and taken to area hospitals. None are in critical condition.

Nicholls head coach Tommy Rybacki will lead the program for the first time this season after ten years as the Colonels’ defensive coordinator. Rybacki’s defense has consistently been one of the best in the Southland, and he’s looking to continue their success.

Cut 6 (10) “…next ten years.”

The Colonels are projected to finish fifth. They’ll open the season week zero in a nationally televised game against Incarnate Word August 23.

Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff will be walking on at Tulane. The transfer left the Cougars after facing a seven-game suspension for violating BYU’s honor code. Retzlaff was accused in a May lawsuit of raping a woman in 2023- allegations he denied. The suit was dismissed June 30, and Tulane has spent over a week vetting the junior. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Cougars to a 10-and-2 record last season.

The American Athletic Conference also announced it would be changing its name to just the American Conference.

LSU was picked to finish fourth in the SEC preseason poll, just behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots in a rematch of last year’s SEC championship. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne thinks the folks in Atlanta got this one wrong.

Cut 14 (10) “…in the SEC.”

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was voted preseason All-SEC first team over LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who landed on the second team.

Cut 15 (10) “…by that one.”

LSU PA announcer Dan Borné is retiring after over 35 years as the voice of Tiger Stadium men’s basketball inside the P-MAC. Longtime voice of Alex Box Stadium, Bill Franques, took over duties last season when Borné took a leave of absence.

The Pelicans’ “sign one contract pick, get a free injury” promotion is still in effect. Thirteenth overall pick, Derik Queen, underwent successful wrist surgery on an injury suffered in a Summer League game against the Trailblazers. He will be reevaluated in 12 weeks, that’s just two weeks before the season is set to tip off.

Lafayette native Dustin Poirier will take on Max Holloway in his retirement fight Saturday. After a 16-year professional career, Poirier says he’s content with where the journey has brought him.

Cut 8 (10) “…in a good spot.”

The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Conference USA gave Louisiana Tech a 75% chance to make a bowl game in its first Bowl Confidence Index. The mark ranked fourth in the league behind Liberty, Western Kentucky and Jax State. The Bulldogs also had four players named to the preseason CUSA watchlist: offensive linemen Landon Nelson and Hayden Christman, linebacker Kolbe Fields and defensive back Cedric Woods.

Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career tomorrow night versus Max Holloway in New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

The Southern Jaguars are the preseason favorites to win the SWAC West in back-to-back years under second-year head coach Terrence Graves. Graves says he wanted to set a foundation of intensity and success in his first year as the Jags’ head coach.

Cut 16 (16) “…for the culture.”

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko spoke to the media yesterday. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed was an electric playmaker last season after earning the starting job over Connor Weigman. Elko says he’s only improved after an offseason preparing as the face of the program.

Cut 20 (19) “…being this year.”

The Aggies will visit LSU October 25.

UL-Lafayette launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund through the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation to allow fans to support revenue sharing in Lafayette. Deputy Athletics Director Trey Frazier says proceeds from the fund will go straight to student-athletes.

Cut 21 (10) “…need their help.”

LSU Infielder Tanner Reaves, center fielder Chris Stanfield and pitcher Zac Cowan announced they’d all be returning to Baton Rouge after going undrafted. Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball says Cowan will give the Tigers a strong foundation on the pitching staff.

Cut 20 (15) “…back-to-back championships (2x).”

The Tigers also landed sophomore Kansas right-hander Cooper Moore. Moore recorded a 3.93 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 14 starts for the Jayhawks.

Saints legend Drew Brees will be returning to the broadcast booth for a one-time appearance this season. The former New Orleans quarterback will be working as a Netflix game analyst for one of the service’s Christmas Day games- either the Cowboys versus Commanders at noon or the Lions-Vikings afternoon matchup.

Grambling was picked to finish 5th in the SWAC West, and 4 Tigers were named preseason all-conference. Defensive back Blake Davis and offensive lineman Tahj Martin were named to the second team, and punter Johnny Schifano and defensive lineman Bryce Cage earned first-team nods. Head coach Mickey Joseph says he’s happy with his trench play led by Cage.

Cut 16 (10) “…the opportunity.”

ESPN paid tribute to College GameDay legend Lee Corso at the ESPYs last night. After nearly 40 years, Corso will make his final GameDay appearance at Ohio State in week one this season.

Cut 17 (11) “…done that (applause).”

Corso picked the Tigers in a matchup versus Florida in 2007

Cut 18 (14) “…(laughter).”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson is reloading after the draft. After losing sluggers Ethan Frey and Jared Jones, the Tigers brought in first baseman Zach Yorke from Grand Canyon University. D1Baseball analyst Kendall Rogers says Yorke’s six-foot-two, 290-pound frame isn’t your typical SEC baseball player, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a spot for him in the league.

Cut 19 (14) “…pure hitters.”

Yorke slugged 13 homers with a .339 batting average in 48 games last season. Johnson also landed commitments from Oregon State third baseman Trent Caraway and Kansas right-hander Cooper Moore.

LSU catcher Luis Hernandez signed a free-agent contract with the Twins. The senior batted .270 in 54 games this season and played a key role in the Tigers’ championship run.

LSU will open SEC play against Florida September 13. There are high expectations for Gators quarterback DJ Lagway entering his second season, despite Florida facing perhaps the toughest schedule in the country. He’s looking forward to the expectations and a Saturday night matchup in Death Valley.

Cut 17 (13)  “…put on a show.”

The Sun Belt welcomed Louisiana Tech to the league at a press conference in Ruston yesterday. With lowered costs and increased revenues from Sun Belt West opponents, President Jim Henderson says the Bulldogs are committed to returning to their athletic pedigree.

Cut 12 (12) “…conference championships.”

The Bulldogs will move to the Sun Belt no later than 2027.

Head coach Brian Kelly confirmed linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins would both be ready to return from injury by the start of camp. Perkins will be returning to outside linebacker, where he was First-Team All-SEC and a Freshman All-American in 2022. Weeks says they grew close rehabbing together.

Cut 18 (14) “…for him too.”

Southern was picked to defend its SWAC West title in the conference preseason poll today. Senior defensive end Ckelby Givens was named preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year after sharing the award last year. Jaguars head coach Terrence Graves says he spoke to Givens about the accolades.

Cut 21 (10) “…post season.”

LSU landed commitments from Kansas pitcher Cooper Moore, Oregon State third baseman Trent Caraway and Grand Canyon first baseman Zach Yorke. Moore is a sophomore righty who struck out 85 batters with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts last season. Caraway slugged 12 home runs and 47 RBI, hitting .267 last year. Yorke blasted 13 homers in 48 games for the Lopes.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke at SEC Football Media Days today. With quarterback Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the Crimson Tide have a three-way QB battle among redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. DeBoer says if the season started today, Simpson would get the nod.

Cut 12 (12) “…another level.”

LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide November 8.