Jalen Brewster, the top-rated recruit in the 2027 class, has shut down his recruitment and confirmed his commitment to Texas Tech. LSU has been targeting Brewster for a flip since he visited campus this summer, but the five-star defensive lineman plans to remain a Red Raider as he focuses on his senior season.

Adding to conference rules banning former pros, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reports College Football Playoff leaders are considering a policy that prevents any team with an ex-NFL player from competing in the postseason. LSU, of course, has received commitments from two former pros, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris.

ESPN announced an original series on the life and career of Hall of Fame and former LSU football coach Nick Saban. The six-episode series will feature hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage and over 70 voices from Saban’s career, including LSU coach Lane Kiffin. Episode one premieres on ESPN October 8, with episode two, titled “Death Valley,” airing a week later.

College football is officially back with three FCS games in Louisiana tonight. Nicholls hosts Mississippi Valley State at 6:00, and Northwestern State welcomes Louisiana Christian to Natchitoches at 7:00.

Southeastern Louisiana hosts Houston Christian at 6:00. The Lions open the season as the 20th-ranked team in the FCS coaches poll, but head coach Frank Scelfo is reloading a roster that lost 26 seniors. He says he is relying on talented backups from last season to step up in bigger roles, like senior quarterback Kyle Lowe, who saw the field a lot as the number two QB last year.

Cut 17 (19) “…got that now.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced the starters will not play in the team’s preseason finale tomorrow night. The New Orleans first-stringers will sit out all three preseason games.

LSU Center Braelin Moore will represent the number 18 jersey this season for the Tigers. Offensive linemen can only wear jersey numbers from 50 to 79, so Moore will wear a number 18 patch, which signifies leadership qualities.

Also, linebacker Whit Weeks and tight end Trey’Dez Green will wear the number seven jerseys, as they are the top playmakers on each side of the ball.

The penalties would be harsh if LSU or any other SEC school decides to play an athlete that signed a contract with an NFL, NBA or WNBA team. Sources say the head coach of the program could be suspended for half a season. The program would face a fine that is half of its operating budget, and the school would lose voting privileges.

LSU appears to be waiting on further direction from the courts. There’s a preliminary injunction hearing on Monday in Baton Rouge Judge William Jorden’s courtroom. The players who participated in an NFL training camp are hoping Judge Jorden will rule they still should receive a fifth-year of college eligibility.

______________________________________________________

Tonight is the start of the college football season as there are three F-C-S games on the schedule. 20^th ranked Southeastern Louisiana hosts Houston Christian at 6 PM in Strawberry Stadium.

Northwestern State begins three year under head coach Blaine McCorkle as the Demons host Louisiana Christian in the first meeting between the two schools since 1968.

Nicholls opens its football season tonight against Mississippi Valley State. The Colonels were four and eight last season but played better once senior Ean Rodrigue took over as the starting quarterback. Head Coach Tommy Rybacki says Rodrigue’s decision making is faster this year…

Cut 19 (18) “…his decision-making.”

The game is scheduled for 6 p-m.

SEC teams that sign a player who signed a contract with an NFL or NBA team face a half-season-long suspension for the head coach and a fine equal to 50-percent of the sport’s annual operating budget thanks to a new rule approved by university presidents. Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne expects more lawsuits against that rule and says the SEC’s authority may not hold up.

Cut 4 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

The official vote to approve the policy was 15-0 with LSU abstaining.

The NFL will not allow any player who returns to college to sign with an NFL team this season. Those players will continue to be treated as free agents, and if they do return to college football, they will not be eligible for next year’s draft.

The league also announced that players who violate safety rules prohibiting hip drop tackles, horse collar tackles, launching, hits on a defenseless player or blindside blocks three times in a season will receive a one-game suspension.

With running back Ty Chandler now on season-ending IR and Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara sidelined, the Saints traded the 49ers for running back Zamir White. White says he was shocked by the trade, but he has had a good time with the team so far and is excited to compete for a roster spot.

Cut 19 (13) “…grateful for it.”

LSU transfer wide receiver Tre Wilson was a five-star recruit out of high school, but his career at Florida was derailed by injuries. He says all he can do is learn from the experience.

Cut 17 (16) “…go with it.”

The Pelicans agreed to a two-year, 16-million-dollar deal with guard Bennedict Mathurin. The former sixth-overall pick averaged over 17 points a game with the Pacers and Clippers last season.

SEC presidents unanimously approved a new rule to block any former pros from playing for an SEC school, including ex-NFL LSU commits Dae’Quan Wight and Zxavian Harris and former NBA signee RJ Luis. Tiger Rag executive editor Todd Horne expects that rule to also be taken to court.

Cut 3 (13) “…we’ve learned that.”

The LSU and Baton Rouge community gathered in the P-MAC last night to celebrate the life of legendary coach Skip Bertman. One of his top pitchers, Ben McDonald, recalled seeing Bertman in the hospital shortly before his passing.

Cut 8 (16) “…see Coach Bertman.”

LSU announced senior center Braelin Moore was honored with number 18 for the Tigers this season. The number annually goes to a player who best displays leadership on the team. As an offensive lineman, he will not switch from his number 61 jersey number but will wear an 18 patch on his jersey. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks and junior tight end Trey’Dez Green will both wear number seven.

LSU brought in nine new transfers in the receiver room, and players and coaches have not confirmed a top target to emerge. Florida Transfer Tre Wilson will likely be in the initial top four, but he says the competition is still wide open.

Cut 18 (11) “…watch for sure.”

Louisiana Tech announced updates to its future football schedule. The Bulldogs will open next season at Kansas, the 2028 campaign at Texas and 2029 at Alabama in three August kickoffs. Tech also scheduled a 2029 game against Mississippi State as well as home games against Mississippi Valley State in 2028 and Central Arkansas in 2029.

The Southeastern Conference will not allow pro athletes to play football and basketball teams in the SEC. The policy is in response to LSU’s efforts to add players who were on the rosters of NFL teams. Also, RJ Luis just won a court battle to play basketball at LSU, even though he signed contracts with two different NBA teams.  The lawyers who fought to make these players eligible in the first place may return to court again and fight this policy.

LSU celebrated the life of former baseball coach and athletics director Skip Bertman last night. LSU’s current athletic director, Verge Ausberry – who played football for LSU while Bertman was coaching the baseball team – paid tribute to his predecessor, using the nickname he had given himself, playing off his Jewish faith.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the chosen one.”

LSU welcomed 12 newcomers to the 13-man wide receiver room this offseason. Florida transfer Tre Wilson was the highest-rated transfer addition. He says he’s enjoyed building chemistry with quarterback Sam Leavitt…

Cut 16 (16) “…of the receivers.”

The Saints have signed two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson to compete with Tannar Hudson and Charlie Smyth. Carlson, whose family is living in Auburn, says he’d been in contact with New Orleans throughout the offseason.

Cut 20 (15) “…the season’s going.”

The Black and Gold wrap up the preseason in Dallas against the Cowboys on Friday night.

One of LSU’s top basketball signees, 2025 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis, was granted a preliminary injunction to play for the Tigers this season. Luis declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and signed two professional contracts, but he will be allowed to return to college basketball. One of his attorneys, Elliot Abrams, told WBRZ in Baton Rouge that the NCAA’s rule against pro compensation that used to protect amateurism is arbitrary.

Cut 4 (11) “…to reason.”

The ruling was not related to the lawsuits that allow fifth-year players to return under the new five-for-five eligibility model and is bringing ex-NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavien Harris to LSU.

The Big Ten unanimously approved a new conference rule to not allow any former pro football players to play at any member school. The other Power Four conferences are considering a similar rule, including the SEC.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed that running back Ty Chandler will miss the season with a knee injury. New Orleans traded for 49ers running back Zamir White, who Moore says fits the offense well.

Cut 17 (11) “…it’ll be good.”

The Saints play their final preseason game versus the Cowboys on Friday.

LSU is less than two weeks out from its season opener versus Clemson, and despite both of the Tigers’ lead running backs returning, a new face will likely take the first carry. Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones has practiced with the first-team. He says he came to LSU for competition and the whole running back room has improved this offseason.

Cut 21 (13) “…hit the hole.”

LSU basketball is signing another overseas pro, 7-foot-3 Israeli center Gilad Levy. The 24-year-old played in the Spanish pro league last season, averaging less than two points and two rebounds in about five and a half minutes a game in his 18 appearances.

Yesterday, a Baton Rouge judge granted another LSU signee RJ Luis a preliminary injunction allowing him to return to college basketball after signing two NBA and G League contracts. Luis’s attorney, Elliot Abrams, told WBRZ in Baton Rouge that with N-I-L and revenue sharing allowing schools to pay athletes directly, the NCAA is now a professional sports league.

Cut 3 (12) “…cries wolf.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that the Big Ten is passing a rule to ban former pros from playing for a Big Ten school, and the SEC is considering a similar rule.

A Celebration of Life for LSU legend Skip Bertman will be held in the P-MAC tonight at 7 with doors opening to the public at 6. Former LSU pitcher Doug Thompson says LSU fans are known for showing up for their teams, and he hopes that the PMAC is bursting at the seams with Tiger fans honoring Bertman.

Cut 8 (08) “…we’re so unique.”

The ceremony will also be broadcast on ESPN-plus and the SEC Network.

One of the former NFL players to commit to LSU is ex-Saints undrafted free agent Zxavien Harris. Head coach Kellen Moore’s brother, Kirby,  is the head coach at Washington State, and he says the slew of lawsuits giving players a fifth season of eligibility puts coaches in a bind.

Cut 18 (17) “…developed here shortly.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin is defending the program’s decision to recruit NFL players that have been granted a fifth year of college eligibility. Kiffin says his obligation is to LSU and its fans and to go recruit the best available players.

Cut 27 (13) “…against them.”

The NCAA approved a new five-year eligibility model this summer that opened the door for hundreds of athletes who just finished their eligibility to file lawsuits to get the fifth year many of their teammates and future athletes will now receive.

A Baton Rouge judge has also granted another year of eligibility to former Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis, who signed with LSU back in May. The NCAA argued Luis is not eligible after signing contracts with two different NBA teams, but Luis never appeared in a regular season game.

The Saints will close out the preseason against the Cowboys on Friday. New Orleans will carry three kickers on the roster after signing two-time All-Pro Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson. Head coach Kellen Moore says the veteran will join the competition between Charlie Smyth and Tannar Hudson.

Cut 16 (09) “…go from there.”

Carlson is 31-years-old and was just 22 of 27 on field goals last year for the Raiders.

Tonight at 7 PM it is the Celebration of Life memorial at the PMAC for legendary LSU baseball coach and athletics director Skip Bertman. Before the doors of the PMAC open to the public at 6 PM, there will be a private ceremony for family, staff and former players. Former LSU pitcher Doug Thompson…

Cut 9 (09) “…with his boys”

Governor Landry ordered flags to be flown at half-mast today in Bertman’s honor.

LSU received another commitment from a former NFL training camp player looking to come back to college football. All-SEC Ole Miss D-tackle Zxavien Harris was waived by the Saints this preseason after going undrafted and is now coming to LSU. He joins tight end Dae’Quan Wright as another standout under Lane Kiffin last season, hoping to come back for a fifth year of college eligibility thanks to the ruling of a Baton Rouge judge. Kiffin says he does not think pro players should come back to college but this is an unprecedented situation.

Cut 21 (15) “…fifth year.”

The Patriots are trading former LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Another ex-Tiger, linebacker Deion Jones, was traded by the Saints to the 49ers for running back Zamir White. Jones just signed with New Orleans earlier this month.

The Saints have been hit by the injury bug hard this preseason. New Orleans returned from a disastrous 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in their second preseason game Saturday and over 20 Saints were not at practice. Cornerback Rejzhon Wright was placed on injured reserve as he undergoes hip surgery, and running back Ty Chandler is feared to have suffered a severe knee injury.

Tulane announced that Madison Prep product Zeon Chriss-Gremillion will start at quarterback to open the season against Duke. The redshirt senior started his college career at UL Lafayette and spent the last two seasons at Houston.

Grambling head coach Mickey Joseph has yet to name a starter at QB for the Tigers’ season opener Saturday.

Former LSU quarterbacks Max Johnson and Michael Van Buren were each named starters. Johnson will start for Georgia Southern in his seventh college football season, and Van Buren earned the number one spot at South Florida.

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach Brooke Stoehr has agreed to a contract extension to stay in Ruston through the 2030-2031 season. She led the Lady Techsters to a 26-and-7 season last year.

LSU is at the center of history as former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright is set to become the first football player to participate in an NFL training camp, but return to play in college. Wright has been released by the Browns and if he clears waivers, he’s expected to end up on LSU’s campus. A Baton Rouge judge has given Wright and several other players a fifth year of eligibility.

The Saints were outplayed 34-0 in a preseason loss to the Rams. Backup quarterbacks  Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson, each threw an interception. The Saints defense gave up 405 yards of offense and New Orleans committed 12 penalties. Coach Kellen Moore…

Cut 20 (17) “…game of execution.”

New Orleans will conclude the preseason on Friday in Dallas.

LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is entering his first year in Baton Rouge but his ninth season working with Lane Kiffin. Weis has spent the last four years as Kiffin’s Ole Miss offensive coordinator, and he says it was their relationship that kept him from taking a head coaching job or staying at Ole Miss.

Cut 16 (16) “…place to be.”

Twenty-three-year-old RJ Luis’s (Lewis) case for another year of eligibility goes before a Baton Rouge judge today as the former Big East Player of the Year wants to play for Will Wade and LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says Luis has previously signed with NBA teams, but did not play in a regular season game…

Cut 9 (11) “…it’s ridiculous”