Training camp is underway in Irvine, California for the New Orleans Saints who are trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. Quarterback Derek Carr says the level of urgency is high…
cut 20 (13) “….higher results”
Despite wanting a new contract, running back Alvin Kamara was present for the first day of training camp. Kamara is signed through 2025, but the final year of his contract does not contain any guaranteed money, so it would be easy for the team to move on from Kamara after this season. Kamara says he wants to retire a Saint and believes he has a few good years left. He turns 29-years-old today.

Second-year running back Kendre Miller left practice yesterday with a hamstring injury. Miller also battled injuries his rookie season.

Sun Belt Media Days came to a close yesterday in New Orleans. ULM coach Bryant Vincent takes over a program that won two games last year and like most new coaches, he has a honeymoon period. But Vincent expects to win right away in Monroe…
cut 18 (16) “…..year one”
The Cajuns will enter preseason camp with a battle for starting quarterback between Ben Woolridge and Chandler Fields.

Five-star safety Jonah Williams from Galveston, Texas has announced he’ll give his verbal pledge on August 24th. He’s considering LSU, Texas A-and-M, Texas, USC and Oregon. Williams is also an outstanding baseball player.

Baseball America has LSU at the top of its list in a way too early Top 25 rankings. Florida, Florida State, Clemson, and Texas A-and-M round out the Top 5.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara was with his teammates as training camp practices got underway in Irvine, California. Kamara did not participate in the final day of mandatory mini-camp in June as he’s seeking an extension. Kamara could have held out of training camp, but did not want to be fined. He still hopes to have a new deal in place before the regular season starts…
cut 13 (05) “….I do”
The Saints new defensive end Chase Young was on the practice field today, but did not participate in team drills as he continues to recover from neck surgery. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they are careful not to rush Young back, but his determination to get back is commendable…
cut 18 (19) “….where he’s at”

Jack Turner is set to be the starting quarterback for Louisiana Tech this season. Turner says he learned a lot from last year’s starting Q-B, Hank Bachmeier…
cut 20 (20) “…play the game”

ULM has seven quarterbacks on its roster as it heads into fall camp, led by Oklahoma transfer General Booty. Warhawks coach Bryant Vincent is excited to see the competition for Q-B 1 play out…
cut 17 (17) “….show”
ULM opens the season on August 29th at home against Jackson State.

The Saints begin training camp in southern California today. Running back Alvin Kamara reported for camp and is expected to make his return to the practice field after leaving during the final practice of mandatory minicamp due to contract disputes. The 28-year-old still hasn’t gotten the extension he’s hoping for, but Head coach Dennis Allen says he’s looking forward to getting to work…

Cut 16 (16) “…game of football.”

The Saints will kick off preseason August 10 against the Cardinals

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes received his first loss as a pro yesterday as the Pirates fell 2-1 to the Cardinals. Skenes finished with 8 strikeouts, four hits, and 2 earned runs in 104 pitches through 8 innings for the longest outing of his young career. The All-Star starter now has a 6-and-1 record with 97 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA.

Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie spoke at Conference USA Kickoff yesterday. Cumbie’s Bulldogs finished with a disappointing 3-and-9 record in his third-straight season in Ruston with 4 of those losses by just one score. Cumbie says his team’s ready to change the narrative…

Cut 19 (20) “…work every day.”

The Bulldogs will open their 2024 campaign August 31 in Ruston against Nicholls.

LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark has signed an extension to stay in Baton Rouge through 2031. Clark led the Tigers to their first national championship in program history this year in just his fourth season as Head Coach.

The Saints reported for training camp today as New Orleans will begin practices tomorrow in Irvine, California. The players are learning a new offense with first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

The Saints defense under Dennis Allen has rarely been a concern, but that unit has a few aging stars and question marks on the defensive line. Allen’s group performed to standard last season thanks to their ability to turn the ball over and get stops on third down- two stats without much year-to-year consistency. Luke Johnson who covers the Saints for the Advocate says he’s learned to trust Allen but he’s yet to be convinced…
Cut 18 (20) “…is better.”
The Saints first preseason game is August 10th at Arizona.

Nicholls is picked to win the Southland Conference, followed by U-I-W and then Southeastern Louisiana. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says he has an experienced team…
cut 20 (14) “….culture standpoint”
McNeese is picked to finish sixth in the Southland. Northwestern State is picked to finish last. New Northwestern president Jimmy Genovese talked today about making Demon athletics more competitive…
cut 28 (12) “…16 years”

Today was media day for Conference USA. Third year head coach for Louisiana Tech Sonny Cumbie is looking for a winning season after back to back three and nine campaigns.

Saints players report for training camp in Irvine, California today, but star running back Alvin Kamara could be M-I-A after the 28-year-old left the last day of mandatory minicamp amid a contract dispute. The Advocate’s Luke Johnson says it wouldn’t make sense for Kamara not to play this season, but he may not be on the practice field when camp kicks off tomorrow…
Cut 16 (20) “…is imminent.”

The Cincinnati Bengals say Joe Burrow’s surgically repaired wrist is ready for training camp and he’ll be ready to go for the first practice. Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist on November 16th and he had surgery on November 27th.

Sun Belt Media Days got underway today in New Orleans. The preseason coaches poll has the Ragin Cajuns finishing in third in the West Division behind Texas State and Troy. ULM is picked to finish last in the seven-team division. Appalachian State is the preseason favorite in the East. Cajuns offensive lineman A-J Gillie is a preseason All-Sun Belt first team selection.

Nicholls was picked to repeat as Southland Conference champs in the preseason media poll. The Colonels went a perfect 7-and-0 in conference play last season and just edged out Incarnate Word in this year’s poll. Head Coach Tim Rebowe says his team is ready to live up to their lofty expectations…
Cut 19 (12) “…respond to that”
Southeastern was picked third in the nine-team conference. McNeese sixth and Northwestern State finished last in the poll.

Saints players report for training camp today. This year the team is preparing for the season in Irvine, California. It’s a big training camp for third-year pro and former first round pick Trevor Penning. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and says the team has penciled Penning in as the starter at right tackle this season…
cut 17 (17) “…in New Orleans’
This year’s first round pick, Taliese Fuaga (Tah-lee-ess-say Foo-ah-gah) is expected to start at left tackle this year.

The nation’s number one high school safety Jonah Williams will reportedly visit LSU on Friday. Williams is also an outstanding baseball player. This will be the second time Williams has visited the LSU campus in two months. Texas A-and-M and Oregon are also heavily recruiting the two-sport athlete.

Nicholls was picked to repeat as Southland Conference champs in the preseason media poll. The Colonels went a perfect 7-and-0 in conference play last season and just edged out Incarnate Word in this year’s poll. Head Coach Tim Rebowe says his team is ready to live up to their lofty expectations…
Cut 19 (12) “…respond to that”
Southeastern was picked third in the nine-team conference following a disappointing 3-and-8 season last year. McNeese was picked to finish 6th in the conference and Northwestern State finished last in the poll.

The Cincinnati Bengals say Joe Burrow’s surgically repaired wrist is ready for training camp and he’ll be ready to go fo the first practice. Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist in the tenth game last year. The injury occurred on November 16th and he had surgery on November 27th.

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and there are a lot of questions over whether the offense will be improved, but what about the defense with some aging stars. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA.com and points out the Saints have had good defenses during Dennis Allen’s time as a defensive coordinator and now head coach…
CUT 16 (13) “…high level”

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and linebacker Harold Perkins are first-team All SEC preseason selections. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne believes one other player is deserving of preseason first-team honors…
cut 18 (18) “….first team”

The Southland Conference preseason poll came out today and Nicholls, who won the conference last year, is picked to finish first this season, followed by U-I-W and then Southeastern Louisiana. McNeese is picked to finish sixth. Linebacker Micah Davey is a preseason All-American and he’s ready to be part of the turnaround at McNeese…
cut 15 (08) “….former glory”
Northwestern State is picked to finish last in the nine team league. First year head coach Blaine McCorkle likes the buy-in he’s seen from his team. He says it’s better than what he experienced at Belhaven, which he turned into a conference champion…
cut 17 (14) “…do it”
Northwestern State opens the season on August 29th at Tulsa.

LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC preseason media poll following SEC Media Days last week. The Tigers won ten games last year with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, and they’ll have to replace his production. Not only did Daniels throw for 38-hundred yards, but he also added 11-hundred more on the ground. Coach Brian Kelly on how the Tigers plan to replace those rushing yards…

Cut 17 (15) “…in the country.”

The nation’s No. 1 cornerback DJ Pickett committed to LSU’s 2025 recruiting class Saturday. The Florida product joins one of the Tigers’ top classes which currently ranks third in the nation and has the highest average recruit ranking.

The Tigers class was also boosted by five-star wide receiver Derek Meadows out of Bishop Gorman. The 6’6 receiver ranks 41^st nationally and chose the Tigers over Alabama Notre Dame and Georgia.

LSU cornerback Javien Toviano was arrested yesterday on charges of video voyeurism. The 19-year-old is accused of having sex with a woman and recording it without her consent with a hidden camera. The team has suspended Toviano indefinitely.

Saints players report for camp tomorrow with practice kicking off Wednesday. A camp priority will be the introduction of a new offense under Coordinator Klint Kubiak. Camp will not be open to the public, so fans won’t see the new-look scheme until the first preseason game August 10. The Advocate’s Luke Johnson says they’re in for quite the shock…

Cut 16 (19) “…be exciting.”

The Southland Conference preseason poll picked Nicholls to win the conference just edging out Incarnate Word. Southeastern finished 3^rd in the poll while McNeese came in sixth and Northwestern State rounded out the nine-team conference.

An LSU football player has been arrested on video voyeurism charges. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says cornerback Javien Toviano used a hidden camera to record a sexual encounter without the woman’s knowledge and the victim found the video on Toviano’s iPad. LSU says Toviano has been suspended from all team activities.

Over the weekend, LSU football received a commitment from five-star receiver Derek Meadows from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. He’s six-foot-five, 200 pounds and on-3-dot-com ranks Meadows as the seventh best receiver in the country for the Class of 2025.

But the Tigers did not land a commitment from the top cornerback in the state. Westgate of New Iberia star Jaboree Antonie announced his commitment to Miami on Saturday.

Former LSU golfer Sam Burns shot an 80 yesterday as he had a rough back nine at the Britsh Open. Burns finished tied for 31st which is his best finish of his career at the Open.

LSU football has been picked to finish fifth in the 16-team Southeastern Conference based on a poll of media members who attended media days. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says that sounds about right…
Cut 16 (14) “..preseason forecast.”
Georgia is picked as the preseason favorite to win the SEC, followed by Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss.

Saints receiver and return man Rashid Shaheed has agreed to a one-year, five million dollar contract extension. Shaheed was an all-pro return specialist last year and he’ll be the number two receiver on the Black and Gold this season after catching 46 passes for 719 yards and five touchdowns.

McNeese football reports for preseason camp today. That’s because they are playing during Week O when they visit Tarleton State on August 24th. Meanwhile, today is Southland Conference Media Day. Nicholls is the defending champs.

The LSU Tigers are picked to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference based on a poll of media members who attended the conference’s football media days. Georgia is the preseason favorite to win the league, followed by Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss.

Also offensive tackle Will Campbell and linebacker Harold Perkins lead a list of eight LSU players who have been named preseason All-SEC. Campbell and Perkins are first-team selections, along with Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas who is listed as an all-purpose player.

Emery Jones, Mason Taylor, Kyren Lacy, Major Burns received second-team recognition.

It’s not expected to be a good year for Louisiana Tech based on a Conference USA preseason poll released today. The Bulldogs are picked to finish seventh in the ten team league. Liberty is the preseason favorite to win the conference, followed by Western Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Middle Tennessee.

This week LSU football received a commitment from Florida prospect DJ Pickett, who is ranked as the best cornerback in the country. Pickett can officially sign at LSU in December. On-3-dot-com recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says LSU has a chance to have the number one recruiting class in the country…
cut 18 (13) “….in the the country”
The Tigers have 17 verbal pledges and can add another one on Saturday if Westgate of New Iberia football star Jaboree Antoine commits to LSU. He’ s ranked as the top cornerback in the state.

Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk will miss rest of the season. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list and since he’s a vested veteran and the move was made before the final roster cut-down date, it means Ramczyk can not play this year. Ramczyk’s career could also be over because of a knee injury.