LSU was ranked 13^th in the US LBM preseason coaches poll. The Tigers play six teams in the top 25. Their week one opponent, Clemson, was ranked 23rd. Texas is number four. Texas A&M is eighth, Ole Miss tenth, Alabama 11th and Tennessee 18th. Ohio State finished number one and received over half of the first-place votes.

LSU kicks off practice under head coach Lane Kiffin tomorrow, and one key position group to watch will be the wideouts. Kiffin brought in nine transfers and three freshmen wide receivers this offseason. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says one or two of the newcomers in that crowded, talented room are going to separate themselves.

Cut 17 (17) “…be thinking about.”

UL-Lafayette head coach Michael Desormeaux spoke to the media before practice kicks off tomorrow. He says he has been proud of how his team has prepared this summer.

Cut 20 (17) “…about this group.”

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is the highest-paid halfback in NFL history. The 2023 eighth-overall pick signed a three-year, 75-million-dollar extension. Robinson racked up nearly four-thousand rushing yards and two-thousand receiving yards and scored 34 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker was carted off the field at practice today and is believed to have suffered a torn ACL. Walker was the 15^th-overall pick in last year’s draft and had 36 tackles and 5-and-a-half sacks as a rookie in snaps at both edge rusher and outside linebacker last season.

LSU was ranked 13^th in the US LBM preseason coaches poll. Ohio State was ranked number one, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame. There are nine SEC teams in the top 25. Texas A-and-M is eighth with Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Alabama directly behind them. Tennessee is number 18, and Missouri landed at 25.

LSU players report for coach Lane Kiffin’s first fall camp in Baton Rouge today. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU’s roster is as talented as any on paper, and Kiffin is a genius. But Tiger fans can’t expect a perfect season with how difficult LSU’s schedule is. The Tigers have back-to-back matchups with Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M in September, and Alabama and Texas in November.

Cut 18 (17) “…to be better.”

Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt was named to the Maxwell Award Preseason Watchlist. The honor goes to the college football player of the year each season. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the award last year, and Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels both won at LSU.

Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive end Princewill Umanmielen were named to the Nagurski Trophy preseason watchlist for the top defensive player. Offensive tackle Jordan Seaton made the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist for the best interior lineman.

The Atlanta Falcons have made two-time Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson signed a three-year extension worth up to 75-million-dollars, with 51-million of that guaranteed. His new 22.5-million-dollar-per-year mark surpasses Eagles running back Saquon Barkley’s 20.6-million-dollar-per-year contract.

Former McNeese and Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Tommy McClelland is being hired to take the same job at Purdue. McClelland has spent the last three years at Rice and served six years in Lake Charles and eight in Ruston, where he infamously asserted that the Bulldogs’ Conference USA was superior to the Sun Belt Conference.

LSU football players report for fall camp today. It will be head coach Lane Kiffin’s first preseason camp with the Tigers, and LSU’s rebuilt roster will need to build chemistry fast, especially on the offense. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says it starts with quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Cut 16 (19) “…to look at.”

Leavitt has been named to the preseason watch list for the 90^th Maxwell Award, which goes annually to the outstanding player in college football.

Tyler Shough looked good in the Saints first padded practice of training camp. According to NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson, Shough completed 11 of 14 passes. Rookie Barion Brown had a nick catch, so did first round pick Jordan Tyson.

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Southeastern Louisiana comes in at number 19 in the Stats Perform 2026 Preseason FCS Top 25 poll. The Lions are one of three schools from the Southland ranked in the Top 25. Stephen F Austin is ranked 13^th and Lamar is ranked 20^th.

A couple of former LSU Tigers were traded in the final hours before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Anthony Eyanson, who is one of the best prospects in baseball, was traded by the Red Sox organization to the Orioles organization.

Also former LSU shortstop Josh Smith, who has struggled this season with the Rangers with a .213 batting average, was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Also former Ragin Cajuns pitcher Spencer Arrighetti was traded from the Houston Astros to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal for Daulton Varsho. Arrighetti is currently on the injured list with right foot nerve irritation but is expected to pitch again this season. Arrighetti is 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA.

Former LSU ace Anthony Eyanson was traded to the Orioles organization. Eyanson was part of a trade that brought All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox. Eyanson was one of three players included in the deal.

Former Tiger Josh Smith is also on the move. The Rangers infielder was traded to the Blue Jays along with pitcher Josh Stephan in exchange for left-handed pitcher Adam Macko. Smith is hitting .213 with eight RBIs and one homer in 45 games this season.

LSU football players report for Lane Kiffin’s first fall camp in Baton Rouge tomorrow. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says he’ll be keeping his eye on the offense as much more of the defense returns under coordinator Blake Baker. His biggest concern lies with the offensive line.

Cut 20 (17) “…Weston Davis.”

Former UL-Lafayette pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is now a Blue Jay. The Astros hurler was traded to Toronto for outfielder Daulton Varsho. The former Cajun is in his third MLB season and is posting a 4.60 ERA in 17 starts. The two teams face off tonight at 7:10.

The Saints had their first padded practice today. Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will need to adjust to the NFL’s physicality. He is known for his explosive playmaking after the catch and twitchy route running. He says he’s always had those skills.

Cut 18 (10) “…obtain that ability.”

The Saints drafted Tyson eighth overall out of Arizona State.

The SEC and Big Ten have announced their support for the Protect College Sports Act, and NCAA President Charlie Baker is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the bill before a month-long recess Friday. Majority Leader John Thune expressed concern it may get filibustered, and the Senate will not have time for a vote.

LSU’s top-rated baseball signee Logan Schmidt chose to come to LSU. The southpaw pitcher was Perfect Game’s number 12 prospect in the MLB draft, and he was selected 59^th overall. He chose not to sign with the Guardians and considered attending junior college for a season, so he could return to the draft next year. Instead, he’ll come to LSU and not be eligible to return until 2029. His enrollment gives the Tigers the number one recruiting class in the nation.

Former LSU ace Kevin Gausman was traded to the Cubs. The right-handed pitcher joins another Tigers great, Alex Bregman, in Chicago. Gausman is posting a 4.38 ERA and has struck out 127 batters in 23 starts with the Blue Jays this season.

The Saints put the pads on for the first time this training camp today. Yesterday, head coach Kellen Moore confirmed that D-tackle Bryan Bresee’s season is over after suffering a torn ACL on the first day of camp. He will undergo surgery and target a return for next season, the final year of his current contract.

Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has been a full go in his first training camp. New Orleans drafted the Arizona State receiver to create a dynamic pass-catching duo with top receiver Chris Olave. Tyson says Olave is a quiet guy, but every time he speaks, he tries to listen, because he knows it’s the truth.

Cut 17 (11) “…so that’s amazing.”

Former McNeese defensive back Levi Wyatt was killed in a car crash early Saturday morning. The 23-year-old spent two years in Lake Charles before transferring to Jackson State. He started 10 games in 2023 and led the team in pass breakups. In 2024, he was named second-team All-Southland Conference.

U.S. Men’s National Team manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed a deal to coach the Stars and Stripes through the 2030 World Cup. The 54-year-old was hired to coach the U.S. team in 2024 and has helped close the gap between U.S. soccer and the top teams in the world. The U.S. is 16^th in FIFA’s world ranking after a round of 16 exit in the World Cup.

Top LSU signee Logan Schmidt announced he will enroll at LSU. A seemingly impossible feat before the draft, Schmidt chose LSU over JUCO and the MLB after being selected 59th overall. The left-handed pitcher was Perfect Game’s 12th-ranked draft prospect and makes the Tigers’ 2026 class the best in the nation. He will not be draft eligible until 2029.

Former LSU All-American pitcher Kevin Gausman was traded to the Cubs. The right-hander is 5-and-10 with a 4.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts with Toronto this season.

Saints eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson says he’s been excited to get involved during training camp. The Arizona State wide receiver has been limited since the draft as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Now good to go, he says he’s loved playing with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.

Cut 16 (11) “…I’m loving it.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed defensive tackle Bryan Bresee will be undergoing season-ending ACL surgery. Bresee suffered the knee injury on the first day of training camp in what fellow interior defensive lineman Davon Gadchaux called a freak non-contact accident. Godchaux will take the lead at the center of the defensive front in Bresee’s absence but says it will be a group effort.

Cut 20 (17) “…you’ll be okay.”

Saints wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk surprisingly retired yesterday. New Orleans traded for the 24-year-old last offseason but he never suited up for the team as he missed the season with a shoulder injury. Polk was an early second-round pick in the 2024 draft expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

Former Saints offensive lineman Andrus Peat also announced his retirement after 11 seasons. Peat spent nine years in New Orleans and was named to three Pro Bowls.

The Saints and former first-round wide receiver Chris Olave have agreed to a four-year, 132-million-dollar contract extension. The deal will make him the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid receiver behind the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and ahead of the Steelers’ D.K. Metcalf. Olave ranked in the top eight of the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season. With a quarterback and two offensive tackles on rookie contracts, Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says this is the type of deal the Saints can afford.

Cut 14 (08) “…keep him around.”

Olave and the team got the deal done after a short two-day hold-in during camp, and Olave is back as a full participant in practice today.

LSU quarterback spoke publicly for the first time as a Tiger at a team event at the LSU practice facility last night. Leavitt said he was comfortable at Arizona State but said that LSU is just different, and that’s where he wanted to be. He said there is no better place to become the best version of yourself than LSU.

Tight end Juwan Johnson is entering his seventh season with the Saints, but the veteran pass catcher was actually college teammates with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. The pair played together at Oregon in 2019 during Johnson’s graduate season. He says they’ve built great chemistry in their time together.

Cut 16 (16) “…the biggest thing (2x).”

Johnson had his best season last year with 77 catches for 889 yards and three touchdowns.

Saints legend Drew Brees asked his former head coach Sean Payton to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony next Saturday. The pair, of course, helped revive the Saints and the city of New Orleans post-Katrina when they arrived in 2006. They won the team’s only Super Bowl together in 2010 and spent 15 years together. Also being inducted next weekend are former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig.

The Saints agreed to terms with All-Pro receiver Chris Olave on a four-year, 132-million-dollar contract extension. Olave held in for the first two practices of training camp while he negotiated the deal.Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says he’s surprised by how quickly the two sides got it done.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to everybody’s benefit.”

The deal will make him the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid receiver behind the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb. Olave ranked in the top eight of the NFL in receptions, yards and TDs last season.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is disappointed he does not have a new contract. Mayfield say she feels disrespected by the offers the Buccaneers presented to him. Mayfield is entering the final season of his deal that will pay him 33-million dollars.

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Linebacker Kaden Elliss returned to New Orleans this offseason after being draftedby the Saints in 2019 . He spent three seasons in Atlanta, where he became one of the league’s best linebackers. He says Saints GM Mickey Loomis has maintained the culture of the playoff teams he was a part of.

Cut 17 (19) “…a hundred percent.”

Drew Brees will have his former coach Sean Payton as his presenter when he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8^th. The invitation was emotional for Payton, who could not hold back his tears as the moment was caught on camera.

High school football…one of the top running backs in the Class of 2028, Caiden Bellard is transferring from Lafayette Christian to University High.

The Saints and All-Pro wide receiver Chris Olave have agreed to a 4-year, 132-million-dollar extension. 90 million dollars of the contract is guaranteed. Olave had been sitting out of team drills during training camp while negotiating the deal and should fully return to practice. He is entering the final season of his rookie deal this year, and signing him to a long-term extension was a key to the Saints’ offseason.

Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry left practice early today with a rolled ankle. Head coach Kellen Moore said his early exit was out of an abundance of caution, and it should not be a long-term issue.

Moore said initial tests for defensive tackle Bryan Bresee did not look good after the former first-rounder left practice yesterday with what is feared to be a season-ending torn ACL. Defensive end Chase Young was confident others would step up in his absence.

Cut 8 (09) “…nasty D-line.”

Saints do-it-all playmaker Taysom Hill announced he will not be returning to New Orleans. In nine years with the Saints, he became the only player in the Super Bowl era with 1,000 career rushing, receiving and passing yards. Head coach Kellen Moore says there is only one Taysom Hill.

Cut 6 (11) “…in this community.”

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is not a fan of the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks LSU with the nation’s 11th-toughest schedule, and every SEC team is among the top 20. Preseason camp opens next week; and Kiffin says with such a demanding schedule, no player will be guaranteed a starting job or playing time.

Cut 18 (14) “…day in practice.”

Saints X-factor tight end, quarterback and all-around football player Taysom Hill announced he will not return to the team this season. Hill is a free agent and said in an emotional social media post that he did not know what the future holds for him, but it will not be in the black and gold. Hill’s final game in the Superdome, he led the team with 42 rushing yards, caught four passes for 36 yards and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is a phenomenal person and competitor.

Cut 22 (10) “one Taysom.”

The Saints held their first open practice today. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL on the first day of practice yesterday. Moore says they’re waiting on a second opinion, but it looks like he will miss the entire season.

Cut 7 (09) “…training camp’s about.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin continued on his warpath against the nine-game SEC schedule at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday. He says the league has only gotten better since the transfer portal, with more parity than ever. Kiffin fears three-loss SEC teams could miss the College Football Playoff this season.

Cut 17 (17) “…and one team.”

Alabama became the only three-loss team to make the playoff last year, but that loss came in the SEC championship.

The SEC and Big Ten missed another deadline set by lawmakers to announce their positions on the Protect College Sports Act. The leagues are expected to meet this afternoon after a final version of the bill was completed late last night. Time is running out for the bill to reach the U.S. Senate floor before a month-long recess on August 7th.