SEC Football Media Days begin today in Nashville. The defending SEC West champion Tigers are one of three schools set to be featured today. Coach Brian Kelly and players Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams and Mekhi Wingo will face hundreds of reporters as they look forward to a highly anticipated season after the team exceeded expectations in Kelly’s first year. Coming off a ten-win season and trip to the Sec championship, many fans will hope to improve and compete for a national title. Host of the Locked On LSU podcast Caroline Fenton says even of the Tigers fall short of their lofty goals, it doesn’t mean the program has taken a step back…

Cut 18 (20) “…strides forward” 

Kelly has even said in an interview with USA Today that with another year of recruiting, 2024 is a more realistic year to make a title run.

Veteran free agent wide receiver Deandre Hopkins is expected to sign to a two-year $26 million deal with the Titans. Hopkins was cut by the Cardinals earlier this offseason due to his contract’s over 30 million dollar expected cap hit. After months of speculation and visits to potential teams, the 31 year-old receiver will be joining Tennessee as the number one wide out across from second year wide receiver Treylon Burks. Hopkins, who has consistently been one of the league’s top receivers since being drafted by the Texans in 2013, will visit New Orleans in week one as the Saints open the season in the dome September 10^th.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis held the first graduation of his Devoted Dreamers Academy this weekend. Founded by Davis and his wife Tamela in 2013, the academy provides college prep and business of sport experience labs for 8^th through 12^th grade students.

The Summer League has wrapped up for the New Orleans Pelicans after falling to the 76ers last night 117-114. The next time New Orleans will be on the court will be in Smoothie King Center for their preseason home opener October 10th.

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Nashville. The LSU Tigers are one of three schools that will be featured today as Coach Brian Kelly and players Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams and Mekhi Wingo will speak with hundreds of reporters. Host of the Locked-on LSU podcast, Caroline Fenton, says the expectations for the Tigers are much higher heading into the second year of the Brian Kelly era…:
Cut 17 (26) “…this year”
Even Kelly said in an interview with the USA Today that with another year of recruiting, 2024 is a more realistic goal to win a national title.

The Summer League has wrapped up for the New Orleans Pelicans after falling to the 76ers last night 117-114. The next time New Orleans will be on the court will be in Smoothie King Center for their preseason home opener October 10th.

Former LSU Star and Houston’s All-Star third baseball Alex Bregman delivered the biggest hit of 2023 in the Astros 9-8 win over the Los Angeles Angels last night. Bregman smacked a go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth which gave the Astros a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Starting today, private recreational offshore fishermen will have an additional red snapper added to their daily limit, as LDWF increased it from 3 to 4. Spokesman Jason Adriance says they are happy to relax regulations…:
CUT 6 (09) “the freezer”
He says the increase is the result of a lower-than-expected harvest rate.

SEC Football Media Days begin next week in Nashville. The LSU Tigers are one of three schools that will be featured Monday as Coach Brian Kelly and players Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams and Mekhi Wingo will speak with hundreds of reporters. Host of the Locked on LSU podcast, Caroline Fenton, says the expectations for the Tigers are much higher heading into the second year of the Brian Kelly era…
Cut 17 (26) “…this year”
The SEC Media poll could select LSU as the favorite to win the SEC West over Alabama.

LSU baseball has landed an All Pac-12 outfielder out of the transfer portal. Mac Bingham will be a fifth year player next season after hitting 10 home runs and hitting .319 for the Arizona Wildcats last season. Bingham played two seasons for Coach Jay Johnson, before Johnson left the Wildcats for LSU.

Good news for Louisiana Sportsmen as the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has increased the red snapper daily creel limit from three to four fish, starting on Monday. LDWF fisheries biologist Jason Adriance says the new daily creel limit of four red snappers also applies to federal waters off of Louisiana, except for federally permitted charter boats…
Cut 28 (11) “…federal waters.”
Adriance says the increase is the result of a lower than expected harvest rate.

Football season is around the corner but former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron does not have that itch to coach again. Orgeron told the Advocate Newspaper he’s likely done coaching as the 61-year-old is enjoying his free time since he was fired from LSU in 2021. Orgeron’s name was connected to the vacant head coaching job at Northwestern, but he’s not sure how those rumors started.

Six-foot-five left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson says he plans on attending LSU after he was selected in the 20th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Johnson pitched for IMG Academy last season and he’s ranked as the 42nd best prospect going into the draft according to M-L-B-dot-com.

Also, right-handed pitcher Christian Little says he will return to LSU next season after he was drafted in the 19th by the New York Mets. Little struggled with a 7.79 ERA last season after transferring in from Vanderbilt.

The Pelicans raced out to an 18-0 lead last night and defeated the Hornets 89 to 83 in Summer League Action. Dereon Seabron had 20 points as he was nine of 13 from the field. Dyson Daniels added 16 points and E-J Liddell had 11 points in 20 minutes. New Orleans is now 3-and-1 and will play one more game this weekend.

LSU men’s basketball will play at least three exhibition games in the Bahamas next month as the Tigers look to have a much better season next year, year two for head coach Matt McMahon. The Tigers will be in the Bahamas from August 6th to the 12th. College teams are allowed to make an international trip every four years.

There is some sad news to report involving the LSU women’s basketball program. Former All-SEC women’s basketball player Danielle Ballard has died at the age of 29 after she was hit by a car at an intersection in Memphis early Thursday morning. The five-foot-nine guard averaged 12 points and seven rebounds during her career from 2012 to 2015.

A pitcher in the transfer portal that many fans hoped would go to LSU, is instead is heading to Wake Forest. Chase Burns was a strikeout pitcher at Tennessee the last two seasons and has decided to join the Demon Deacons, who are known for developing pitchers.

Don’t listen to those rumors that former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron might be interested in coaching at Northwestern University. The Wildcats are looking for a new coach after firing Pat Fitzgerald because of a hazing scandal. Orgeron told the Advocate he’s enjoying his time away from coaching and doesn’t plan on coaching again.

The SEC has given Commissioner Greg Sankey a contract extension that will extend through 2028. Sankey helped lure Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, but still needs to get the league to agree on a long-term scheduling format in football. He’ll discuss the future of the conference when he speaks at next week’s SEC Media Days.

LSU’s Angel Reese won the ESPY last night for Best Breakthrough Athlete. In her first season at LSU, Reese helped the Lady Tigers win their first national championship and she became an overnight sensation as a result of her play in the Final Four and she does not plan on stopping…
cut 16 (09) “…cheers”
Reese’s Instagram followers have gone from 100-thousand to over two million.

There is some sad news to report involving the LSU women’s basketball team. Former All-SEC women’s basketball player Danielle Ballard has died at the age of 29 after she was hit by a car at an intersection in Memphis during the overnight hours. The five-foot-nine guard averaged 12 points and seven rebounds during her career from 2012 to 2015.

LSU Women’s Basketball star Angel Reese has won yet another national award picking up an ESPY on Wednesday for Best Breakthrough athlete. Reese led LSU to its first national title and set the NCAA record for double-doubles in a season. She won the award over Caitlin Clark, Brock Purdy and Julio Rodriguez.

The LSU Baseball team had been chasing ace pitcher Chase Burns, but he announced on Wednesday that he’ll be transferring instead from Tennessee to Wake Forest. Burns, a likely top-10 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, entered the transfer portal on June 27.

Right handed pitcher Christian Little said Wednesday he will delay the start of a professional career to return to the LSU Baseball Program.

The New Orleans Pelicans continue play tonight in the Summer League. They’ll be taking on the Charlotte Bobcats in Vegas with a 6:30pm tipoff. The Pels are 2-1.

The All State Sugar Bowl has come up with a creative way to kick off the college football season, in the form of a concert over Labor Day weekend. And it’s first headliner on September 2nd? Garth Brooks.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The New Orleans Saints are getting ready to host one of the more anticipated training camp slates in some time, and fans now know when they’ll get their first look at the 2023 roster. The first open practice will be held on July 28, with Saints fans getting their first look at Derek Carr and several other key additions.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara agrees to a plea deal with prosecutors in Nevada and has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for his involvement in a 2022 fight in Las Vegas.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Pelicans star Zion Williamson opened up about his struggles in an interview on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. The 23-year-old forward says he just wants to hoop as injuries have limited to 114 games in four NBA seasons. Williamson also admits it’s been difficult for him to eat healthy, but he’s putting people around him with wisdom.

LSU set a school record with 13 players drafted during the 20-round Major League Baseball Draft. Seven players went in the second round. The Orioles took pitchers Blake Money and Riley Cooper and the Dodgers took shortstop Jordan Thompson and left hander pitcher Javen Coleman. Nate Ackenhausen was not drafted and is expected to return to LSU.

Athletic events are now required to have an AED thanks to a bill from Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields. He says he’d been working on the “Jump Start Your Heart” legislation prior to the collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in January during the Cincinnati Bengals game. He says the incident only highlighted the need for AEDs and CPR training.
Cut 18 (10) “…nation.”
The state legislature also appropriated funding for schools to purchase the A-E-Ds and schools are also required to have an action plan.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges stemming from a fight that took place in a Las Vegas hotel in 2022. As part of the plea deal, Kamara must perform community service and pay over $100,000 to the victim, Darnell Greene, for medical bills. Host of the Locked-On Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says Kamara avoided jail time…
Cut 10 (10) “…Alvin Kamara.”
Now we wait to see if the NFL will suspend Kamara for multiple games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. No timetable on when a ruling will be passed down. Jackson says if discipline is issued, Kamara can appeal…
cut 12 (09) “….even longer”
Training camp begins July 25th and the season opener is September 10th versus the Titans.

Thirteen, a school record number of LSU Tigers were taken in the Major League Baseball Draft that concluded yesterday. Garrett Edwards, Blake Money, Christian Little, Braden Jobert, Riley Cooper, Javen Coleman and Jordan Thompson were among the Tigers selected yesterday.

Alex Milazzo, Hayden Travinski and Nate Ackenhausen were not drafted. Ack is expected to pitch for the Tigers next season.

The state’s top overall prospect, Sulphur left-hander Jake Brown was drafted in the 16th round by the Texas Rangers, but he’s expected to go to college.

In the 14th round, the Houston Astros selected Cajuns right-hander Jackson Nezuh. He led the Sun Belt in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

In the 11th round, the Toronto Blue Jays drafted McNeese All-American pitcher Grant Rogers. The two-time Southland Pitcher of the Year was 12 and 1 last season with an ERA of 1.82.

The Pelicans improved to 2-and-1 in Summer League action with an 82-73 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara pleaded no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for an incident that took place in Las Vegas in 2022. Kamara along with three others pleaded not guilty to initial felony and misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to commit battery and substantial bodily harm and faced a trial set for July 31st. With the amended plea deal, Kamara will have to complete 30 hours of community service and pay over $100,000 to the victim, Darnell Greene, for past due medical expenses. Kamara also will be fined $500. Greene’s attorney Tony Buzbee announced the civil suit Kamara faced in Louisiana has also been settled on confidential terms. The NFL is still investigating the incident and the running back is still subject to punishment under the league’s personal-conduct policy. Host of the locked-on Saints podcast Ross Jackson says Kamara will most likely face suspension

Cut 16

Tigers are flying off the board on the final day of the MLB draft. Right-hander Garret Edwards was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round. 

Right-handed pitcher Blake Money was selected by the Orioles in the 12th round.

Outfielder Brayden Jobert was selected in the 12th round by the St. Louis Cardinals The Slidell native made an impact for the Tiger’s offense the past two years, leading the team with three home runs in the CWS.

Left-handed pitcher Riley Cooper will be joining Blake Money in Baltimore after being selected in the 13th round by the Orioles. 

Shortstop Jordan Thompson is homeward bound after being selected in the 15th round by the LA Dodgers. The Cali native has spent three seasons as the starting shortstop for the Tigers with a .260 career batting average. 

Left-hander Javen Coleman will be joining Thompson in LA after being selected in the 16th round with the 490th overall pick by the Dodgers.

McNeese junior starting pitcher Grant Rogers was selected in the 11th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. The 2023 consensus All-American becomes the 20th player to be drafted or signed under skipper Justin Hill.

Cajuns pitcher Jackson Nezuh was selected with the 343rd overall pick in the 14th round by Houston. He becomes the third Cajun to be picked in the MLB draft

Two more LSU Tigers were selected during the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft. In the third round, Tampa Bay took three-year starter Tre Morgan and in the sixth round, the Washington Nationals selected second baseman Gavin Dugas.

In other LSU baseball news, former assistant Terry Rooney is returning as Jay Johnson has hired Rooney as the director of recruiting and player development according to D-1 Baseball dot-com. Rooney was at LSU in 2007 and 2008 and helped build a team that won a national title in 2009.

And LSU is reportedly getting another arm from UCLA. D-1 Baseball reports left-hander Gage Jump is transferring to the Tigers after missing the 2023 season because of Tommy John Surgery. In 2022 Gage was 1-and-1 with two saves and a 3.86 ERA for the Bruins. Last year, Thatcher Hurd transferred from UCLA to LSU.

Ragin Cajuns catcher Julian Brock was selected in the eighth round by the Texas Rangers. Brock hit .315 with a team-high 11 home runs and 65 RBIs last season and was a second-team All Sun Belt pick.

Also in the eighth round, the New York Yankees took ULM pitcher Nicholas Judice. The Baton Rouge product had a 3-and-3 record and two saves with a 3.74 ERA over 53 innings. He struck out 66. Judice is the first Warhawk selected in the first ten rounds since Matt Green was taken in the second round in 2005.

And in the tenth round the Pirates picked Louisiana Tech right-hander Landon Tomkins. This past season, Tomkins was six and two with a 3.62 ERA and struck out 75 in 76.2 innings.

SEC Football Media Days are next week in Nashville. LSU says Coach Brian Kelly will be joined by quarterback Jayden Daniels, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and running back Josh Williams. They will talk with reporters on Monday.