A toolsy high school outfielder from Orlando has decided to withdraw his name from the Major League Baseball draft and play college baseball at LSU. Nathaneal Davis is a left-handed hitter who is ranked 125^th in ESPN’s draft rankings. Davis has excellent speed, with 78 stolen bases at Bishop Moore Catholic High in Florida.

SMU guard Jaron Pierre is the first New Orleans native to be drafted by the Pelicans. The St. Augustine alum was taken with the 58th overall pick after averaging over 17 points and four rebounds a game with the Mustangs. The 6-6 scorer met with the media yesterday said he can do it all.

Cut 16 (19) “…at showing it.”

Pierre shot 46-percent from the floor and 37-percent from three last season.

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 24, 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result.

BY-U Sports is reporting that Alexandria native Darion Brown will be the new head men’s basketball coach at Nicholls. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023 and was on the staff of the team that won the 2022 Southland men’s basketball title. This past season as a head coach at Texarkana, Brown led the Eagles to a 20-11 record, 15-7 in conference play.

LSU prep signee Nathaneal Davis is pulling his name from the MLB Draft and enrolling at LSU. The outfielder is a top-150 prospect in the draft and could contend for playing time as a true freshman. William Patrick is the current expected starter in center field alongside transfer corner outfielders Bino Watters and Jason Wachs. Davis joins lefty pitcher Braxton Beaty as the second high school draft prospect to choose LSU over the Majors.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was one of the many collegiate signal callers at the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. There may be no game on the 2026 college football schedule more highly anticipated than Lane Kiffin and LSU’s trip to Ole Miss. Chambliss says he can’t to face off against his former coach.

Cut 20 (13) “…win that day.”

The Tigers and Rebels face off in Oxford September 19.

New Orleans native Jaron Pierre spoke to the media today for the first time since being drafted 58th overall by the Pelicans. The 6-6 guard says he learned under former Pelicans guard Elfrid Peyton and says he’s ready to give back to the New Orleans community.

Cut 18 (17) “…on they way.”

Pierre is a high-flying three-level scorer who hopes to contribute to the Pelicans right away. He’ll see his first action in NBA Summer League July 9.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was traded to the Trailblazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The Pelicans were linked to trade talks to reunite the two-time All-Star with former AAU teammate Zion Williamson.

UL-Lafayette softball received a transfer commitment from Texas Tech infielder Angelyna Conde. The freshman played in just three games for the national runners-up this year.

Four-star outfielder Nathaneal Davis is withdrawing his name from the MLB Draft and heading to LSU. ESPN ranked the Orlando native as the number 125 prospect in the draft. He was projected to get second-round money.

The Pelicans welcomed second-round pick Jaron Pierre today. The St. Augustine alum averaged over 17 points a game and shot 37-percent from three with SMU this season and was the Conference USA Player of the Year with Jacksonville State in 2025. He said he knew he had a good chance of staying in New Orleans.

Cut 17 (17) “…was unbelievable.”

UL-Lafayette outfielder Jayce Lacava is transferring to Western Kentucky. Lacava hit .250 in just 10 appearances for the Cajuns this season.

LSU quarterback commit Peyton Houston continues to impress, winning 247Sports’ offensive MVP at Nike’s The Opening Finals this weekend. Houston led Team Southwest, which also featured Franklin Parish LSU commit Trey Martin and Brother Martin receiver Easton Royal, to the finals of the 7-on-7 tournament while leading the event with over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Royal, a five-star Texas commit, also praised Houston on social media. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning attended the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. The New Orleans native says he’s been involved in recruiting the fellow Crescent City standout.

Cut 19 (17) “…he does next.”

LSU and Florida are still fighting to flip Royal.

LSU women’s basketball great Sylvia Fowles was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. Fowles helped the Lady Tigers to four straight Final Fours, averaging a double-double and being named SEC and National Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-American along the way. The Florida native says it was head coach Sue Gunter who brought her to Baton Rouge.

Cut 17 (18) “…you want.”

The College Baseball transfer portal closes tomorrow, and LSU Coach Jay Johnson has lost a pitcher he was counting on for the future. Marcos Paz (Pause) entered the transfer portal on Friday and there’s speculation the Texas native will sign with the Aggies.

The Manning Passing Academy brought some of the top college quarterbacks in the nation to Thibodaux this past weekend. Texas quarterback Arch Manning will return to his home state November 14 as the Tigers host the Longhorns. The New Orleans native says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 18 (08) “…we’re excited.”

Manning along with Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr are among the early favorites to win the Heisman.

The knock out round of the World Cup got underway yesterday and Canada defeated South Korea one to nothing. It’s the first time Canada has advanced to the Round of 16.

Three more elimination games today, starting at noon as Brazil faces Japan. At 3:30 it is Germany versus Paraguay and the final game of the night is Morocco versus the Netherlands.

The United States plays again on Wednesday night against Bosnia in Santa Clara, California. The Americans went two and one in Group play.

Five-star Sam Houston offensive lineman Albert Simien committed to Notre Dame. He chose the Irish over LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Simien announced his commitment on ESPN.

Cut 20 (10) “…the program.”

Simien is a top-five prospect in Louisiana and one of the nation’s highest-rated interior offensive linemen.

Former St. Thomas More baseball star Tanner Hornback is returning to Lafayette. The infielder has spent the last two seasons with UT-Tyler and is transferring to UL-Lafayette. He started all 63 games and hit .356 with 43 RBIs.

Nicholls basketball coach Tevon Saddler will leave the Colonels to become the new head coach for the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go. Saddler led Nicholls to back-to-back winning seasons. With the departure of the head coach, the transfer portal has reopened for the Colonels roster.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of fame welcomes its 2026 class this weekend. Former Northwestern State and Bossier Parish Community College coach Mike McConathy is the winningest college basketball coach in state history. He was also a standout point guard at Louisiana Tech. In 2006, he led the Demons to an NCAA tournament upset win over 15^th-ranked Iowa. He says that team was built on the ones that came before it.

Cut 10 (10) “…how to win.”

Former Florien coach Dewain Strother is the second-winningest high school girls basketball coach in the nation. He led the Lady Black Cats to six state championships and 21 Final Fours. Strother says he was blessed by talented players.

Cut 11 (13) “…that I love.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2026 induction ceremony is tomorrow night in Natchitoches. Former LSU second baseman Warren Morris is one of the inductees. Morris, of course, blasted the iconic walk-off homer to win the 1996 College World Series. He says he was as shocked as anyone.

Cut 19 (19) “…so many teammates.”

Also being inducted are Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, Tigers center Todd McClure, LSU basketball coach John Brady and Lady Tigers center Sylvia Fowles.

Former LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson dropped 28 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the Storm’s 99-88 win over the Liberty last night. Her career night helped snap an 11-game losing streak.

Nicholls men’s basketball coach Tevon Saddler is heading to the NBA G League. Saddler was named head coach of the Wizards’ G League affiliate, Capital City Go-Go. He’s led the Colonels to a 54-and-46 record in three seasons as head coach and is coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons. The 31-year-old becomes the second-youngest G League coach.

LSU softball transfer Tori Edwards committed to Florida yesterday. The former SEC Freshman of the Year. She hit .284 with 45 RBIs this season. The Tigers and Gators are scheduled to face off the third week of the 2027 season.

Sam Houston five-star offensive lineman Albert Simien is set to announce his commitment today. The 6-4, 280-pound prospect is a top-20 recruit nationwide and has offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Nebraska Texas A&M and more. His decision will be broadcast on ESPN around 1 p.m.

Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau announced he’ll be staying with the Wolverines. When the transfer portal reopened for the Michigan roster after the departure of head coach Dusty May, LSU was reportedly interested in last year’s Final Four MVP.

The 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class will be inducted this weekend. The class includes former LSU Tigers John Brady, Slyvia Fowles, Todd McClure and Warren Morris. Also going in…former Ragin Cajuns catcher Jonathan Lucroy and former NFL stars Joe Horn and Pat Williams.

Williams is a Monroe native and former Wossman High star. He played 14 seasons in the NFL as a nose tackle, earning three Pro Bowl selections as one of the league’s top run stuffers. Williams signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent and says he learned from Hall of Famers like Bruce Smith.

Cut 18 (10) “…be great too.”

The induction ceremony will be held in Natchitoches and televised statewide on LPB on Saturday night.

Calvary Baptist has been declared as the national champions in high school softball by Max-Preps-dot-com. The Lady Cavaliers just won their sixth straight state championship…

Cut 9 (11) “…number one spot”

That’s head coach Tiffany Frazier Wood who is saying goodbye to Georgia signee Kynzee Anderson and Abby Sims. But Wood will have another strong team next year as they will try to win a seventh straight state championship, which would be a state record.

According to Sports Illustrated, twin softball players Madison and Mackenzie Pickens are transferring to LSU. Madison hit .457 with 11 home runs and 74 RBIs for Louisville last season. While Mackenzie hit .271 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs for the Ole Miss Rebels. They are from Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Brother Martin five-star receiver Easton Royal took his final official visit to Texas this past weekend after trips to LSU and Florida. TigerBait-dot-com’s Preston Guy says Lane Kiffin will have to open up the LSU pocketbook if he wants to flip the nation’s top receiver.

Cut 17 (17) “…high school players.”

He believes LSU is starting to approach Texas’s NIL offer, and a flip is likely if the Tigers can remain competitive.

The SEC released the home and away schedule for LSU men’s basketball. The Tigers have home and away games against Auburn, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Will Wade’s squad will host Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vanderbilt take road trips to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Calvary Baptist was named the 2026 national high school champions by MaxPreps-dot-com. The Lady Cavaliers earned their sixth state title in a row with a 37-and-1 record this season.

The Shrine on Airline will undergo a 30-million-dollar transformation into a venue hosting high school football, soccer, concerts and more. Construction is scheduled to be completed June of next year.

Former Ragin’ Cajuns utility player Miki Watts is transferring to ULM. She appeared in 24 games this season, hitting .325 with 10 RBIS in only 40 at-bats. She’ll join a Warhawk team that went 38-and-20 this season and finished first in the Sun Belt with a 19-and-5 conference record.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its final World Cup group stage game tonight against Turkey. The U.S. has already clinched first in the group and will likely play Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. Manager Mauricio Pochettino likely won’t risk playing four starters with yellow cards. Kickoff in LA is scheduled for 9 p.m.

LSU is building momentum in its effort to flip Texas wide receiver commit Easton Royal. The Brother Martin product is the top receiver in the nation and committed to the Longhorns in November. Tigerbait-dot-com’s Preston Guy says the Tigers’ pursuit of Louisiana’s top prospect has ramped up since Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (13) “…’til signing day.”

The Shrine on Airline is receiving a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the baseball stadium into a multi-use venue. The renovation will add a football field and visitor sideline seating for the first time. Director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Jerry Bologna, says it will host John Curtis and Catholic League football games.

Cut 7 (11) “…view the game.”

The NCAA is introducing a new five-for-five eligibility model, granting athletes five years to play up to five seasons and effectively eliminating redshirts. That window starts either when the athlete initially enrolls in college or turns 19, whichever is first. Hunt Palmer of ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge says the new rule will be a positive for college athletics.

Cut 19 (17) “…to play basketball.”

Former LSU center Naz Reid was traded to the Hornets in exchange for All-Star Guard LaMelo Ball. The Timberwolves also sent a 2033 first and a slew of second-round picks.

Former Tigers pitcher Gage Jump was lights out again last night, allowing just three hits and a walk in five innings. With nine Ks, Jump struck out half of the batters he faced in his sixth major league start. He’s posting a 2.04 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks on the season.

LSU football has added10 commitments this month. They’ve climbed to 17^th in 247 sports national rankings. Four of the commitments are receivers and Preston Guy of Tiger-Bait-dot-com says LSU remains very much in the hunt for the nation’s top receiver, Brother Martin’s Easton Royal…

Cut 18 (15) “….would be bad”

Royal is a Texas commitment, but LSU is giving the five-star prospect something to think about.

The Pelicans used their only pick in the NBA draft to select St. Aug grad Jaron Pierre Junior in the second round. The New Orleans native averaged 18 points a game last season for S-M-U. In 2025, he was named the Conference USA Player of the Year as he averaged 22 points a game for Jacksonville State.

______________________________

Division One college athletics has adopted an age-based eligibility model that will result in athletes having a five-year eligibility window. No more redshirting or waivers. The eligibility clock begins at either an athlete’s first semester in college or when they turn 19, which ever comes first.

It basically means, you can’t play college athletics if you are 24 years or older. LSU has received commitments from five overseas pros, four of whom are 22 or older. Hunt Palmer of ESPN Baton Rouge says their eligibility clock would have already started under the new rule.

Cut 20 (14) “…those age requirements.”

Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly will be in the broadcast booth this fall as he will serve as an analyst for the CBS Sports Network, calling mostly Mountain West games.