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.

LSU will kick off the season at Clemson, which means a high-stakes matchup between top quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Kade Klubnik. Tiger linebacker Whit Weeks says he lives for this kind of big-time game, and he has confidence in Nussmeier.

Cut 16 (18) “…good team.”

The Tigers will take the field in Clemson August 30 at 6:30

Texas quarterback Arch Manning stole the show in Atlanta yesterday. Manning says he and Nussmeier grew close rooming together at the Manning Passing Academy.

Cut 22 (08) “…over there.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt will hold a press conference this afternoon to discuss the Bulldogs’ return. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Tech has a history of overlooking its in-state rivals.

Cut 5 (14) “…Sun Belt Conference.”

ULM and UL-Lafayette were two of the Bulldogs’ biggest advocates. Dietrich says those officials have moved on, and the new guard is ready to move past old grudges.

LSU received a commitment from Kansas right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore. Moore recorded a 3.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 88 and two-thirds innings last year. The Tigers also landed Oregon State infielder Trent Caraway and Grand Canyon first baseman Zach Yorke yesterday.

The Pelicans suffered their third straight Summer League loss to the Trailblazers last night 93-87. Guard Antonio Reeves led the team with 18 points, followed by rookie Derik Queen’s 17 points and 10 boards.

LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton represented the Tigers at SEC Media Days yesterday. Hilton has been plagued by injuries at LSU, but projects to be the Tigers’ top wideout this season. He missed the first seven games of last season and totaled only nine receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Hilton has always been a big play threat, but quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says he’s improved as he’s gotten healthier.

Cut 14 (11) “…season last year.”

Hilton arrived in Baton Rouge the same year as Nussmeier and says he’s seen his quarterback grow off the field.

Cut 18 (13) “…work in.”

LSU center fielder Chris Stanfield announced he’ll be returning for his senior season in Baton Rouge after going undrafted. The Auburn transfer hit .298 with 31 RBI this year.

Former LSU star and Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start for the National League in back-to-back years in tonight’s MLB All-Star game. Skenes is posting a 2.01 ERA with 131 strikeouts through 121 innings for Pittsburgh this season. First pitch is set for 7:00.

LSU Gymnastics star Haleigh Bryant will return to the Tigers as an assistant coach on the 2026 staff, the team announced today. Bryant is one of the most decorated athletes in LSU and N-C-Double-A history. She is a 33-time All-American and led LSU to its first-ever team NCAA title in 2024, earning the individual All-Around title along the way.

Louisiana Tech officially accepted the invitation to the Sun Belt today. The Sun Belt Board of Directors voted unanimously to invite the Bulldogs to the conference as soon as 2026 but no later than 2027. LA Tech will owe at least a $5 million exit fee to leave Conference USA.

Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee and Texas will take the stage at SEC Football Media Days today. Yesterday, Garrett Nussmeier spoke about the expectations for his second year as a starter. He’s the nation’s only returning 4,000-yard passer, but with a year’s worth of film to review, he’s been looking for ways to improve. The gunslinger threw 12 interceptions last year and says he can take better care of the football.

Cut 17 (17)  “…different outcome.”

When it was all said and done, nine tigers were taken in the MLB Draft. Pitcher Zac Cowan announced he will be returning for his senior season in Baton Rouge after going undrafted. The same goes for infielder Tanner Reaves. Center Fielder Chris Stanfield went undrafted but has made no indication whether or not he’ll return for a final season in Baton Rouge.

Tulane right-hander Michael Lombardi was selected 61st overall by the Royals Sunday. Green Wave lefty Tayler Montiel was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 12th round, and infielder Connor Rasmussen went to the Royals in the 15th.

Southeastern catcher Conner O’Neal was picked by the Dodgers in the ninth round, and right-hander Brennan Stuprich went to the Yankees in the 14th.

Louisiana Tech righty reliever Logan Forsythe was picked in the 13th round by the Braves. Forsythe led the Bulldogs with 71 strikeouts and becomes coach Lane Burrough’s 13th drafted player.

Southern outfielder Cardell Thibodeaux was selected by the Padres in the 16th round. Thibodeaux was the SWAC Player of the Year this season and had recently entered the transfer portal.

The Saints released a teaser for what appears to be a new jersey set to be released July 22. New Orleans announced a new white alternate helmet to go with the color rush jersey last week. The teaser video shows defensive end Cam Jordan opening a glowing gold duffel bag with the throwback thin black fleur-de-lis which was used until the 2000s on the side.  Jordan has been a vocal advocate for the return of the 2002 gold jerseys. The new threads will replace the current throwback alternate.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly kicked off SEC Media Days in Atlanta this morning. LSU brought in 18 veterans in the top-ranked transfer class this offseason. Kelly expects the class to bolster a defensive unit he acknowledged was improved last season, but not championship level. He says defensive coordinator Blake Baker is elite, and his players should be as well.

Cut 4 (14) “…level defense.”

Louisiana Tech was officially invited to the Sun Belt this morning. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast Host Dave Schultz says the Bulldogs need to reinvest the money it will save from regional rivalries to compete in one of the top mid-major conferences.

Cut 14 (12) “…the Sun Belt is.”

LSU ace Kade Anderson was selected 3^rd by the Mariners in the first round of the MLB Draft. Anderson says Seattle was the only team to visit him in Louisiana, and he had a great visit with Assistant General Manager Andy McKay…

Cut 20 (22) “…like a dream.”

Right-hander Chase Shores went to the Angels with the 47th pick. The Red Sox grabbed a pair of Tigers righties in juniors Anthony Eyanson 87th overall and Jacob Meyers at pick 268. D-H Ethan Frey was selected 95th by the Astros, and the Brewers used pick 185 to grab infielder Daniel Dickinson in the sixth round. First baseman Jared Jones will be joining former teammate Paul Skenes after being picked 263rd by the Pirates.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly opened SEC Media Days this morning. Kelly highlighted a revamped roster he says is built to compete for championships. For the Tigers, that path will begin in Clemson week one.

Cut 21 (07) “…one and oh.”

Kelly is 0-and-3 in season openers with LSU. The Tigers have lost their last five straight.

He expects quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to improve in year two.

Cut 22 (10) “…with that.”

Southern University defensive end Ckelby Givens was named the preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. Givens leads the nation in tackles for loss with 26-and-a-half and ranked eighth last season in sacks.

LSU lefty Kade Anderson went third overall to the Mariners in the first round of the MLB Draft yesterday. The 21-year-old was expected to be the top pick to the Nationals, who instead selected high school shortstop Eli Willits.  Anderson celebrated the moment with his family in Madisonville.

Cut 19 (10) “…grateful for.”

Right-handed pitcher Chase Shores was also selected 47^th overall by the Angels. Righty Anthony Eyanson went to the Red Sox with pick 87, and D-H Ethan Frey was selected by the Astros with the 95^th pick.

Louisiana Tech is returning to the Sun Belt after conference leaders voted to officially invite the Bulldogs this morning. Tech was previously art of the league from 1991 to 2001 before departing for the WAC. The earliest LA Tech can make the move is 2026, the same year Texas State departs for the PAC-12. The Bulldogs will have to pay the five-million-dollar buyout from Conference USA.