11 LSU football players were named to Nike’s Blue Ribbon Elite NIL partnership, more than any other school. Headliners include linebacker Whit Weeks, tight end Trey’Dez Green and cornerback DJ Pickett.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a reworked deal to give the Saints more cap room and secure his spot alongside Travis Etienne in the backfield. The two are expected to split carries, with Etienne taking the lead after signing a 52-million-dollar deal in March.

Southern Defensive back Herman Brister is a preseason All-SWAC first-team selection. The Jaguars had their worst season since 2010, winning just two games last year. Brister says he expects this year’s group to be a different team with new head coach Marshall Faulk at the helm.

Cut 19 (16) “…off the field.”

Sun Belt Media Days wrapped up today. Louisiana Tech joins the conference after its first winning season under head coach Sonny Cumbie. He says the Sun Belt has premier programs in all major sports.

Cut 16 (18) “…is excited.”

Tech was picked by the coaches to finish fourth in the West in its first season. ULM was picked to come last, but third-year head coach Bryant Vincent says they don’t know his team.

Cut 17 (18) “…who are we.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had a jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Nola.com’s Matt Paras (“Paris”) says in an offseason where the Saints lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, it’s good to see a veteran star return.

Cut 11 (10) “…people are happy.”

Grambling is picked to finish second in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll. Third-year head coach Mickey Joseph says he tried to lead a balanced attack when he arrived at Grambling, but now he knows the team’s identity.

Cut 16 (15) “…want to bang.”

Ex-LSU star Tommy White is headed to the Majors. The Athletica called up the slugging third baseman and he’s expected to make his Major League debut tomorrow against former teammate Dylan Crews and the Nationals. The former second-round pick was hitting .301 with one home run and 17 RBIs in 21 games in Double-A this season.

The Sun Belt West takes the stage at Sun Belt Media Days today. UL Lafayette came second in the West in the preseason coaches’ poll with fifth-year head coach Michael Desormeaux. Quarterback Lunch Winfield took over midway through the season and led the Cajuns to a 4-and-4 record. Desormeaux says that experience makes a big difference heading into this year.

Cut 21 (18) “…long time.”

Louisiana Tech finished fourth in the poll and ULM was picked last in the division.

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired this season. The Ruston native started for LSU from 1970 to 1972 and went 26-6-and-1. He won three bowl games and an SEC Championship and left campus holding school records with 3,255 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Jones says playing in Death Valley was unforgettable.

Cut 10 (12) “…special time.”

First-year Southern Head Coach Marshall Faulk represented the Jaguars at SWAC Media Day today. Southern is coming off a two-and-ten season, but the Pro Football Hall of Famer says his offense will do whatever it takes to win.

Cut 20 (12) “…their strengths.”

Southern was picked to finish fifth in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll.

Former Saint Terron Armstead and New-Orleans-dot-Football’s Nick Underhill announced Saints running back Alvin Kamara is agreeing to a pay cut to stay on the roster for another season. Kamara’s future with the team has been uncertain since the Saints signed free agent Travis Etienne, but the new deal will help the New Orleans salary cap and keep him with the team that drafted him.

The NCAA Rules Subcommittee has approved the ABS challenge system for college baseball. The system can be used in any game where the technology is available, including Trackman data. It is expected to go into effect as soon as 2027.

Sun Belt East schools took the stage at Media Days today, with the West getting its turn tomorrow. ULM was picked to finish last in the division in the preseason coaches’ poll, and Locked On Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz says this is a make-or-break season for third-year head coach Bryant Vincent.

Cut 18 (15) “…the Sun Belt.”

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.