Saints X-factor tight end, quarterback and all-around football player Taysom Hill announced he will not return to the team this season. Hill is a free agent and said in an emotional social media post that he did not know what the future holds for him, but it will not be in the black and gold. Hill’s final game in the Superdome, he led the team with 42 rushing yards, caught four passes for 36 yards and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is a phenomenal person and competitor.

Cut 22 (10) “one Taysom.”

The Saints held their first open practice today. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL on the first day of practice yesterday. Moore says they’re waiting on a second opinion, but it looks like he will miss the entire season.

Cut 7 (09) “…training camp’s about.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin continued on his warpath against the nine-game SEC schedule at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday. He says the league has only gotten better since the transfer portal, with more parity than ever. Kiffin fears three-loss SEC teams could miss the College Football Playoff this season.

Cut 17 (17) “…and one team.”

Alabama became the only three-loss team to make the playoff last year, but that loss came in the SEC championship.

The SEC and Big Ten missed another deadline set by lawmakers to announce their positions on the Protect College Sports Act. The leagues are expected to meet this afternoon after a final version of the bill was completed late last night. Time is running out for the bill to reach the U.S. Senate floor before a month-long recess on August 7th.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club ahead of preseason camp. He says one of the Tigers’ priorities will be getting quarterback Sam Leavitt comfortable in the offense after missing most of spring practice.

Cut 28 (16) “…good shape.”

LSU players report for preseason camp next week with practice kicking off Wednesday.

Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee suffered a knee injury believed to be a torn ACL in the first practice of training camp today. Bresee is undergoing further tests but is likely out for the season.

Receiver Chris Olave is holding in during camp as he negotiates a contract extension. Olave was limited all offseason as he recovered from a blood clot in his lung. He was fully cleared for camp but sat out of team drills today in relation to negotiations.

Ole Miss has filed lawsuits in Lafayette County, Mississippi courts against LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper. The pair agreed to revenue-share deals with Ole Miss and broke those contracts days later when they decided to transfer to LSU. Ole Miss is now seeking nearly one million dollars combined in buyouts from the two.

Cut 19 (09) “…revenue-sharing contract.”

That’s Sam Hutchens, who broke the story with the Clarion-Ledger. He says it will be up to LSU and the players to decide who pays the buyout.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan returned for his 16^th season in New Orleans after testing free agency for the first time in his career. He says he always enters camp with hopes of winning a Super Bowl, but vibes are definitely higher this year.

Cut 9 (12)  “…put the pads on.”

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper for nearly one-million-dollars. Ole Miss says the former Rebels have not paid the buyout clause of the revenue-sharing agreement they signed with the school before leaving for LSU. Sam Hutchens with the Clarion-Ledger broke the news and says the suit may not even make it to court.

Cut 20 (19) “…two entities.”

LSU declined to comment. Ole Miss claims LSU denied paying on behalf of the players in March because they were not party to the original contracts.

LSU 2007 national champion receiver Demetrius Byrd was arrested in Miami Beach Monday for allegedly making threats on a public bus while holding a tool. Byrd was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The bus driver said Byrd yelled, “Who wants to die?” at passengers while holding a silver multi-tool that appeared to be a knife.

The SEC and Big Ten have missed the 8 a.m. deadline lawmakers set for the conferences to announce their position on the revised Protect College Sports Act. Lawmakers completely overhauled the bill after extensive discussions with school and conference officials, but its future likely hinges on whether those changes were enough to sway the SEC and Big Ten. The conferences have scheduled meetings with university presidents for this afternoon.

The Saints kicked off preseason practice today. To help quarterback Tyler Shough make the next step in year two, New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan) and drafted first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Head coach Kellen Moore says maybe most important to Shough’s production will be All-Pro receiver Chris Olave.

Cut 17 (16) “…continuing to grow.”

GM Mickey Loomis says Olave and the team are in negotiations for a contract extension, and both sides would like the former first-rounder to stay in New Orleans.

The Saints reported for training camp today. New Orleans has been one of the breakout candidates of the offseason after finishing last in the NFC South last year. They finished the season 4-and-1 in their last five games as quarterback Tyler Shough settled into the starting role. GM Mickey Loomis says that narrative isn’t a bad thing.

Cut 19 (20) “…we just are.”

He highlighted Shough and corners Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry as players they need to keep improving this season.

Wide receiver Mason Tipton and defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver were placed on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list to start camp. Loomis said wide receivers Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson and running back Kendre Miller are all cleared and good-to-go.

Final revisions to the Protect College Sports Act have been made. Lawmakers have sent the new language to the SEC and the Big Ten and given them a deadline of 8 a.m. tomorrow to announce their positions. The bill will either move to the U.S. Senate floor next week or be delayed and likely die completely. One of the largest changes to the bill was the addition of a 20-million-dollar retention pool that would allow schools to exceed the revenue share cap to retain student-athletes.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play out the final season of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Mayfield has made little progress on a contract extension to stay in Tampa and previously said he would put any negotiations on hold once training camp started. Bucs D-tackle Vita Vea also requested a trade from the organization yesterday after holding in during veteran minicamp.

Former LSU basketball standouts Max Mackinnon, Skylar Mays and Darius Days are all signing deals to play in Australia’s NBL. Mackinnon is signing a two-year deal with his hometown Brisbane Bullets where his father won a championship and League MVP in 2007.

The Saints report for their second training camp under head coach Kellen Moore today. New Orleans went 6-and-11 in Moore’s first season but ended the season 5-and-4 when rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and says fans should be hopeful heading into year two.

Cut 16 (16) “…of the ball.”

Former LSU standout safety Jamal Adams is signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The three-time Pro Bowler could serve as a replacement for veteran Harrison Smith as he considers retirement, but after taking all of his Raiders snaps at linebacker last season, he will more likely be a versatile roamer in Brian Flores’s defense, taking snaps as a safety, linebacker and even edge rusher.

Brian Kelly will officially join CBS Sports’ college football coverage. Kelly will be a member of the studio show “Inside College Football” on Tuesdays and call mainly Mountain West games. His booth debut will come August 29 in a week zero matchup between North Dakota State and Jacksonville State. Former ULM quarterback Doug Pederson will also call select games on CBS Sports Network this season.

A pair of former Tigers are headed to Australia’s NBL. Guard Skylar Mays signed with the Melbourne Phoenix on a one-year deal. After helping the Tigers to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, Mays played in over 100 NBA games with the Hawks, Trail Blazers and Lakers. Guard Max Mackinnon signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets. Mackinnon played NBA Summer League ball with the Hornets and now returns to his hometown team, where he was a developmental player in 2022.

Two-time Pro Bowl D-tackle Vita Vea requested a trade from the Buccaneers. Vea is entering the final season of a four-year deal, and talks on a possible extension had stalled. Tampa is also negotiating an extension with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who enters the final season of his contract.