Some of the state’s best high school football prospects signed with LSU today. Jeff Palermo has more on the first day of the early signing period…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The nation’s number one rated defensive tackle Richard Anderson, also signed with LSU today. Anderson has been a long-time LSU commitment. However, according to reports last night, he was going to wait and sign, but that didn’t happen.

The Ragin Cajuns signed 21 players today, 14 from the state of Louisiana, including safeties Jayden Reed from Neville High School and Luke Green from Lafayette Christian High School.

Matt Belinson from the Ruston Leader reports that Louisiana Tech head football coach Sonny Cumbie will return next season. Cumbie just led the Bulldogs to their first winning season since 2019. But Tech safety Jacob Fields has entered the transfer portal. Fields led the team in tackles and had three interceptions.

ULM has signed Neville offensive lineman Van Martinez. Most of the Warhawk signees are junior college players, including quarterback Christian Johnson from Hutchinson Community College.

The 7-and-0 LSU men’s basketball team puts its perfect record on the line tonight as the Tigers visit Boston College in the SEC-ACC Challenge. The Eagles are 4-and-4 and LSU will need to defend Donald Hand Junior. The six-foot-five wing player is averaging 16 points a game. Tip off is at 6:15.

Louisiana’s best high school football players are signing with colleges today as a three-day early signing period begins. Lafayette Christian Academy star Brayden Allen was one of LSU’s first signees. Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine says the Tigers are getting a good one in Allen

Cut 6 (09) “…slot corners.”

The nation’s number one defensive tackle Richard Anderson from Edna Karr High School is holding off on signing at LSU but remains committed. Anderson is reportedly waiting to see who his new defensive line coach will be as head coach Lane Kiffin is still figuring out his staff.

But Anderson’s teammate, four-star safety Aiden Hall has signed with LSU. Brecheen says he is a big defensive back for the Cougars…

Cut 20 (09) “…down hill”

The Pelicans let one slip away last night as they had a four point lead late against the Timberwolves and lost in overtime to Minnesota 149 to 142. New Orleans is now 3-and-19 on the season and Zion Williamson is expected to miss several weeks with a right hip injury.

LSU men’s basketball has announced Jalen Reed will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury. Tough break for Reed, who missed most of last season after tearing his ACL. The 7-and-0 Tigers are at Boston College tonight and LSU is  ranked 19^th in the NET rankings.

In college hoops last night…Grambling lost a close one to Tulane 65 to 63. The matchup featured 11 lead changes and seven ties. Grambling’s last second three-pointer missed at the buzzer.

Nicholls lost at Creighton 96-76 last night. The winless Colonels will finally play a home game this Saturday when they host UIW.

Today is the first day of the early signing period for high school recruits. But two five-star defensive linemen who have been committed to LSU for months are not expected to sign this week.

According to on3.com,  Lamar Brown from University High and Richard Anderson from Edna Karr High School will stay committed to LSU, but it’s unknown if they will sign with the Tigers. They will most likely sign their national letter of intent during the signing period in February.

Jerit Roser of Louisiana versus Y’all says with a new coaching staff, the N-I-L packages may have changed, which is why they are holding off on signing…

Cut 14 (15) “…for college”

In other football news, LSU will allow its new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis to return to Ole Miss for the playoffs.

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Another tough night for the Pelicans as they lost in overtime to Minnesota 149 to 142. Trey Murphy had 33 points and had 15 rebounds, but Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards had 44 points. And before the game the Pelicans announced forward Zion Williamson will miss at least the next three weeks with a right hip injury. The often injured Williamson has appeared in just ten games .

The LSU men’s basketball team is at Boston College tonight for the ACC-SEC Challenge. The Tigers are 7-0 after winning the Emerald Coast Championship in Florida. But Coach Matt McMahon announced that Jalen Reed will miss the rest of the season with a left Achilles injury. Reid missed most of last season with a knee injury.

Last night, Tulane topped Grambling 65 to 63 and Nicholls fell to 0-7 with a 96-76 loss to Creighton.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin is settling into his new job as head coach of the Tigers. Kiffin says it was difficult to leave Ole Miss and not have the opportunity to finish the season with the Rebels. But when he got to Baton Rouge Sunday and drove past Tiger Stadium, he called former LSU coach Ed Orgeron.

Cut 8 (12) “…to the fans.” (crowd laughs)

Orgeron has expressed interest in returning to LSU as an assistant coach.

On his first full day on the job, Kiffin hired an offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Junior, who followed Lane down to Baton Rouge. Five other former assistant coaches at Ole Miss have also been hired at LSU.

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker has reportedly interviewed for the head coaching job at Tulane. If Tulane does not hire Baker, he could remain as the D-C for LSU.

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New Orleans native and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk has his first head coaching job. Faulk has been hired as the head coach at Southern. Faulk faces a big task in turning around a program that just completed a 2-10 season. Faulk says winning games is important, but he also wants to produce great human beings…

Cut 5 (15) “…football”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore says safety Justin Reid will miss time after suffering a knee injury in the loss to the Dolphins. New Orleans is at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Former LSU Tiger Kayshon Boutte caught a touchdown pass in the Patriots’ 33-15 win over the Giants. New England is now 11-2.

In basketball, the two-time defending champs in the Southland Conference, the McNeese Cowboys, opened league play with a 71-67 loss to UIW.

LSU’s new head football coach Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge to cheering fans yesterday after departing Ole Miss amid their fans’ boos. He’s leaving a program that went 11-1 that will play in the College Football playoff this month. Kiffin says he wanted to coach the Rebels in the playoffs, but his request was denied by Ole Miss AD Keith Carter. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau…

Cut 12 (13) “…to mad at him”

Kiffin had a busy first day on the job at LSU, it included a meeting with the nation’s top high school prospect in the Class of 2026, University High of Baton Rouge lineman Lamar Brown.

In other coaching news, Tulane’s John Sumrall has been hired as the next head coach at Florida, but will continue to coach the Green Wave during the postseason. Southern introduces Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as its new coach today.

The Saints played poorly in the first half, but rallied in the second half only to lose 21-17 to Miami. The Dolphins led by 16 at halftime. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan…

Cut 19 (14) “…lose it.”

New Orleans is now 2-and-10 and is at Tampa Bay next Sunday.

The Ragin Cajuns are headed to a bowl game for an eighth consecutive season after U-L Lafayette defeated the Warhawks 30-27 in overtime for its fourth consecutive win. Coach Michael Desormeaux says when the team was 2-6, most people didn’t think they could get to six wins to be bowl eligible…

Cut 18 (18)  “…so.”

Lane Kiffin, one of the brightest minds in college football, is the new head coach of the LSU Tigers. The 50-year-old has accepted LSU’s reported offer of a seven-year contract worth more than $90 million. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau calls it a fantastic hire…

Cut 10 (11) “…like that.”

Kiffin is bringing several offensive assistants with him from Ole Miss, but he could keep Tigers current defensive coordinator, Blake Baker.

Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall has been hired as the next head coach at Florida. But Sumrall will be able to coach the Green Wave through the postseason. Tulane will host North Texas in the American Athletic Conference Championship on Friday. On the line is a spot in the college football playoffs.

Another slow start and close loss for the Saints as they fell to 2-10 yesterday with a 21-17 defeat to Miami. It’s the fourth loss for New Orleans by seven points or less. The Dolphins led by 16 at halftime. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan…

Cut 19 (14) “…lose it.”

Louisiana Tech has its first winning season since 2019 as the Bulldogs went on the road in some tough weather conditions and defeated Missouri State 42-30. Tech rushed for 388 yards, and all five of their touchdowns came on the ground. Quarterback Trey Kukuk (Q-kuhk) set a school record for most rushing yards by a Q-B with 172. Coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 16 (15) “…at quarterback.”

And the Cajuns are bowl eligible after beating ULM in overtime.

Today is decision day for Lane Kiffin, who seemed conflicted about the decision in front of him while talking with reporters following Ole Miss’s 38-19 egg bowl victory over Mississippi State on Friday. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said last week an announcement will be made about Kiffin’s future on this date. As of yesterday, Kiffin has not made up his mind…

Cut 28 (20) “…it belongs”

If Kiffin decides to stay at Ole Miss, LSU’s options seem limited. Potential candidates Eli Drinkwitz and Clark Lea signed contact extensions at their respective schools.

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall will decide his future tomorrow. Florida is making a push for Sumrall as the Gators are out on the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes.

College football today…Southeastern Louisiana hosts Illinois State in an FCS playoff game. The Bayou Classic is at 1 PM, Southern Versus Grambling. La Tech is at Missouri State. The Ragin Cajuns host U-L-M. U-L Lafayette needs a win to be bowl eligible, LSU looks to play College Playoff spoiler as they visit eight ranked Oklahoma and a Tulane win tonight over Charlotte, means an American Athletic Conference Championship home game.

In the high school football playoffs last night…Sixth seeded Vandebilt Catholic defeated Lake Charles College Prep 31-28. The Terriers advance to face Shaw in the semifinals. The Eagles beat Loyola Prep 38 to 7.

Ruston is back in the semifinals after beating Southside 38 to 28 and they’ll host Zachary next Friday night. John Curtis defeated Teurlings Catholic 21-7.

The Patriots will face St. Aug in the Division one select semifinals, the other semi-final matchup will Catholic High versus Edna Karr.

Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin will reveal his future landing spot tomorrow. Last week Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported LSU offered him a 7-year $90 million contract. ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona says there’s no such thing as a sure thing in coaching searches.

Cut 13 (12)  “…over the years.”

Florida has reportedly moved on from Kiffin so it looks like the decision is down to Baton Rouge or Oxford.

The Tigers end their regular season against 8^th-ranked Oklahoma tomorrow. Linebacker Whit Weeks has been sidelined much of the second half of the season with what he just revealed was a broken ankle, not the bone bruise initially reported. He returned in a limited capacity last week and says the pain won’t stop him from taking the field against a top ten team.

Cut 16 (10) “…worst games.”

Louisiana Tech will close out the regular season at Missouri State tomorrow afternoon. The Bulldogs have been led by their dominant defense all season, but they gave up nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to Liberty last week. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says Missouri State and running back Shomari Lawrence have another potent rushing attack they’ll need to stop.

Cut 19 (19) “…answers defensively.”

Kickoff is at 1:00.

Tulane can earn the right to host the American conference championship with a home win over 1-and-10 Charlotte tomorrow night. Just two wins away from the program’s first ever College football Playoff berth, Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall announced he’ll make a decision Sunday morning on his future. He’s drawn interest from SEC schools like Florida and Auburn.

Is today Lane Kiffin’s final game as the head coach of Ole Miss.  The seventh ranked Rebels play Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl at 11 AM today. A win for the Rebs and they secure a spot in the College Football Playoffs. But Kiffin may not coach them in the postseason.

ESPN Baton Rouge’s Matt Moscona believes Kiffin will be introduced as the new head coach of the Tigers next week, but if Kiffin decides to stay at Ole Miss or goes to Florida, it’s hard to say who is plan B…

Cut 14 (13) “…Blake Baker”

LSU wraps up its regular season tomorrow  at Oklahoma. Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks and offensive tackle Tyree Adams are probable, while offensive linemen Braelin Moore and Ory Williams have been ruled out.

After a dramatic win over Liberty last Saturday, Louisiana Tech closes out its regular season tomorrow at Missouri State. Bears running back Shomari Lawrence is one of the top rushers in Conference USA. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie on stopping Shomari…

Cut 19 (19) “….answers defensively”

Kick off is at 1 PM.

The Bayou Classic is also at 1 PM. Grambling trying to finish its season at 8-4. While Southern will reportedly hire Marshall Faulk as its next head coach.

The Cajuns need a win tomorrow to reach bowl eligibility. U-L Lafayette hosts ULM at 2 PM. The Warhawks are trying to snap a seven game losing streak.

At noon, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Illinois State in an FCS playoff game.

The Louisiana high school quarterfinals kick off tomorrow night across the state. Top-seeded Lafayette Chirstian will host Catholic High of New Iberia in the Division III select bracket. The Panthers are defending state champs and went 10-and-2 this season but LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett thinks their time may be running out.

Cut 16 (10) “…worst games.”

LSU officially notified Brian Kelly he was fired without cause yesterday and will owe him the full amount of his $54 million buyout. School officials argued the timing of and reason for Kelly’s firing to lessen the buyout cost for which Kelly filed suit against the school. Kelly will receive monthly payments over the next six years as long s he’s making  good faith effort to find a job. The resolution comes just days before Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is set to announce his future plans.

Southern is hiring New Orleans native and Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to be the new head football coach. 52-year-old Faulk is a former NFL MVP and three-time Offensive Player of the Year and has spent his only year of coaching as the running backs coach at Colorado this season. He’ll replace coach Terrence Graves who was fired after a 1-and-6 start to this season.

The Pelicans fell short in overtime, losing a 133-128 contest to the Grizzlies last night. Jose Alvarado led the team with 24 points, and the Pels had eight players reach double figures. The loss knocks New Orleans down to 0-and-4 in NBA Cup play, 1-and-6 under interim head coach James Borrego, and 3-and-16 this season.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team earned a dramatic 75-73 victory over Indiana State yesterday. After the Sycamores tied the game on a leaning corner three with 23 seconds to go, Bulldogs guard DJ Dudley hit a contested jumper in the paint to take the lead with just one second left on the clock. Tech improves to 3-and-2 on the season and will host Alcorn State Saturday.