LSU outfielder Ashton Larson announced he’d be entering the transfer portal. The sophomore was slated to be a key returning core member of next year’s roster with a spot in the outfield potentially up for grabs. Larson hit .256 with two home runs in just 39 at-bats last season but started 40 games for the Tigers his freshman year. 

The departure could be a blow for LSU coach Jay Johnson who said he was happy with their returning foundation. Johnson has already made some additions in the transfer portal, including two lefty relief pitchers who committed last week. Danny Lachenmayer was elite as a freshman for North Dakota State while Ryler Smart redshirted his freshman year with Tennessee. Johnson says they’ll join a talented bullpen with arms like Casan Evans, Cooper Williams and more.

Cut 17 (12)  “…pitching staff”

Four Tigers were named All-Americans by D1Baseball. Left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson received the lone first-team nod. Righty Anthony Eyanson and first baseman Jared Jones earned second-team honors, and Freshman pitcher Casan Evans was named to the third-team.

Former Tigers Tommy White and Gage Jump were named to the MLB All-Star Futures Game roster after both being selected in the second round by the Athletics a year ago. White has nine homers for the A’s high-A affiliate Lansing Lugnuts. Jump started the season with the Liugnuts before moving up to the Double-A Midland Rockhounds where he’s posting a 1.91 ERA in eight starts this season.

LSU punter Peyton Todd is transferring to ULM for his final season. The West Monroe product was the Tigers’ leading punter last season and the holder on field goal attempts. LSU will rely on redshirt sophomore Badger Hargett and MTSU transfer Grant Chadwick who is the expected starter.

Texas State has officially joined the PAC-12 ahead of the league’s 2026 relaunch. The Bobcats’ board of regents approved the $5 million buyout to leave the Sun Belt after this season.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier spoke about the upcoming season at the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. Tigers coach Brian Kelly has said this year’s team is his most talented since he’s been in Baton Rouge. His quarterback says he agrees…

Cut 19 (18) “…from within.”

LSU will kick off the season with a highly anticipated week one matchup versus Clemson August 30. Nussmeier says the team is focused on breaking their five-year opener losing streak.

LSU landed a commitment from three-star cornerback Dez Elliss. The Franklin Parish quarterback chose to join the Tigers’ secondary over playing Q-B at West Virginia.

Nick Saban was one of the nine coaches and athletes inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of fame this weekend. Saban arrived in Baton Rouge in 2000 and took a Tigers program that had gone 3-and-8 the year before to a national championship three years later. LSU, of course, would go on to be a perennial competitor in the SEC…

Cut 14 (12) “…ever since (applause).”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has been busy following the team’s national championship victory. The Tigers added two lefty relievers in the portal last week and catcher Omar Serna announced he’d be heading to Baton Rouge instead of the MLB draft. Johnson says he feels good about his roster for next season…

Cut 18 (09)  “…those three.”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson is already hard at work building next year’s roster. He, like many fans, will be anxiously awaiting the July 13 MLB draft and the decisions from some LSU veterans who could be selected. Johnson says he expects center fielder Chris Stanfield to take the step to pro ball but is hoping pitcher Zac Cowan and D-H Ethan Fry consider staying in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (18) “…came back.”

LSU commit Omer Serna announced he’d be pulling his name from the MLB draft and coming to Baton Rouge next season. Serna is the number one ranked catcher in Texas and a top 200 high school prospect.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier spoke about the upcoming season at the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. Nussmeier went 9-and-4 with over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns his first season as a starter. The last two LSU quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels made a leap in year two and put together historic Heisman seasons. Nussmeier says he’s ignoring any early speculation…

Cut 20 (07) “…LSU Tigers.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducted the class of 2025 Saturday night. Headlining the class was former LSU coach Nick Saban. Saban says when he arrived in Baton Rouge, he knew there would be work to do, but his new school, players and fans bought into something great…

Cut 13 (14)  “…state proud.”

LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was also inducted.

The July 7 court date for LSU running back Trey Holly has been cancelled due to air conditioning problems in the courtroom. Holly is facing charges of illegal use of a weapon and criminal damage to property stemming from a February 2024 shooting. Holly has denied any accusations, and a pre-trial conference has been set for July 16 in order to reschedule the trial.

Festivities are underway in Natchitoches this weekend ahead of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025 induction ceremony. Longtime St. Thomas More basketball coach Danny Broussard is one of the inductees. Broussard is the sixth all-time winningest high school basketball coach in the country after 42 years in Lafayette. Broussard says he learned early in his career how to make an average player great…

Cut 12 (13) “…of basketball.”

LSU received commitments from freshman pitchers Ryler Smart and Danny Lachenmayer in the portal Thursday. Smart redshirted at Tennessee, recovering from Tommy John surgery last season, while Lachenmayer was a productive reliever for North Dakota State. The lefty pitched 38 innings for the Bison, striking out 56 and earning nine saves. LSU coach Jay Johnson told Tiger Rag Radio he’d be looking to add talent to next year’s pen…

Cut 20 (07) “…really good.”

After saying they’d be more selective in the portal this offseason, the Tigers missed out on Cal infielder Jarren Advincula.  The sophomore was a target for the Tigers after batting .334 with 11 home runs last season but committed to Georgia Tech over LSU and Tennessee. Vincura would have been the third infield transfer for the Tigers, joining High Point junior Brayden Simpson and Kansas State grad student Seth Darder. Shortstop Stephen Milam will be the only returning infielder from this year’s national championship team.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame welcomes the class of 2025 in Natchitoches tomorrow. Pro basketball All-Stars Danny Granger and Vickie Johnson are two of the nine athletes and coaches that will be inducted. Johnson was a two-time Sun Belt MVP with Louisiana Tech. She says the values of her future hall of fame Lady Techster coaches defined her career…

Cut 11 (12) “…about learning.”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already building next year’s team less than a week after winning a national championship. The Tigers landed commitments from two left-handed pitchers in the portal yesterday. Tennessee freshman Ryler Smart redshirted for the Volunteers last year. North Dakota State reliever Danny Lachenmayer earned nine saves in 24 appearances as a freshman last season. He posted a 2.37 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 38 innings.

The Pelicans concluded a polarizing draft class yesterday by selecting Georgetown wing Micah Peavy 40th overall. Peavy averaged 17 points five boards, three assists and two steals per game his super senior season with the Hoyas last year. He had this to say on ESPN after being drafted…

Cut 19 (11) “…dream.”

New Orleans also signed Kansas center Hunter Dickinson to a two-way contract after the draft. Dickinson averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and a block a game last season and was a two-time All-American. 

Yesterday’s additions add some experience to a draft class that featured two freshman lottery picks. The Pels took best available at seventh overall with 18-year-old Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Where the team really made waves was trading with the Hawks to select Maryland center Derik Queen 13th overall. New Orleans gave up the 23rd overall pick this year along with rights to an unprotected pick swap with the Bucks in the 2026 draft.

LSU has landed a commitment from North Dakota State left-handed pitcher Danny Lachenmayer. Lachenmayer posted a 2.37 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 38 innings for the Bison last season. The 19-year-old has three remaining years of eligibility and chose the Tigers over Arkansas, UNC and others.

Current LSU lefty Kade Anderson has collected some more hardware after being named Baseball America’s 2025 College Pitcher of the Year. The sophomore was a consistent ace for the Tigers posting a 12-and-1 record this season with a 3.18 ERA. He led the nation in strikeouts with 180 and was named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after allowing one run in 16 innings in Omaha.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025 will be inducted in Natchitoches this weekend. College football coaching legend Nick Saban, former LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and former NBA All-Star Danny Granger are just a few in the star-studded class of 12 Louisiana sports icons. 

New Pelicans President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars began his tenure in New Orleans with a splash in the first round of the NBA Draft last night. The Pels drafted Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with the seventh overall pick before trading the 23rd overall pick and next year’s unprotected pick swap with the Bucks to move up to 13 and select Maryland center Derik Queen. Fears averaged 17 points, four assists and four rebounds per game last season as a freshman with the Sooners. He had this message to Pels fans…

Cut 20 (07) “…super hard.”

Queen led Maryland’s “Crab 5” to an Elite Eight appearance with 16-and-a-half points and 9 boards per game as a freshman. The unprotected first round pick is a high price to pay to move up ten draft spots, but Queen says he’s ready to deliver…

Cut 18 (08) “the Pelicans.”

The Pelicans hold the 40th overall pick in the second round of the draft tonight.

LSU fans went to Alex Box Stadium last night to celebrate the 2025 national champions. Coach Jay Johnson and several players spoke, including Stevan “Monster” Milam…

Cut 13 (09) “…national championship now”

It’s induction weekend for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the 2025 class features great coaches. Nick Saban, Delgado baseball coach Joe Scheurman, St. Thomas More basketball coach Danny Broussard and former Catholic High football coach Dale Weiner. Ronnie Rantz on Weiner’s accomplishments…

Cut 14 (13) “…NFL players”

______________________________________________________________

With the seventh overall pick in last night’s NBA draft, the Pelicans selected Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Fears led the Sooners in scoring, averaging 17 points per game. Fears also averaged four rebounds and four assists a game and made the SEC All-Freshman Team.

New Orleans then used its 23^rd overall pick to select Asa Newell of Georgia, but they traded him and an unprotected first round pick in next year’s NBA draft to the Hawks for their first round pick, Derik Queen from Maryland. He averaged 17 points and nine rebounds a game last season. The Pelicans new head for basketball operations, Joe Dumars, says they really wanted Queen…

Cut 27 (17) “…this draft”

But CBS-Sports-dot-com calls the trade a risky gamble. Podcaster Bill Simmons says it is one of the first worst trades of this decade, giving up a first round pick to move up 10 spots in the draft.

A big celebration took place at Alex Box Stadium last night as thousands of fans came out to celebrate LSU’s eighth national championship in baseball. Tigers first baseman Jared Jones will get a second championship ring. Jones provided the signature moment of the College World Series, by driving home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to eliminate Arkansas. It was one of several come from behind victories on the season. Jones said this team never gave up.

Cut 15 (09) “…get it done.”

For those that want to meet Jones, he’ll be at the Hooters in Houma on Sunday from 3 to 5 PM. The Bear will be signing autographs and taking phots and proceeds from the event will go to the Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank.

The Pelicans used the seventh overall pick in last night’s NBA draft to take Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. The 18-year-old averaged 17 points, four rebounds and four assists a game for the Sooners last season. He had this message for New Orleans fans…

Cut 19 (08) “…super hard”

The Pelicans also made a trade to move up and they took Maryland center Derik Queen with the 13^th overall pick. Queen averaged 17 points and nine rebounds for his hometown school.

Nick Saban will be in Natchitoches this weekend as he’s part of the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class that will be inducted on Saturday night. CEO and president of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Ronnie Rantz, says Saban provided the blueprint on how to win in Baton Rouge….

Cut 30 (13) “…years later”

Tonight is draft night, and the Pelicans have two first round picks, one at number seven and the other at 23. One way for the Pelicans to bolster an undersized frontcourt is by drafting 18-year-old Duke center Khaman Maluach (Ka-man Ma-lu-watch). Host of Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison says the South Sudanese seven-footer offers rim protection…

Cut 17 (13)  “…high on.”

If Ace Bailey falls to the Pelicans at seven, they could take the wing player from Rutgers. Bailey made 37-percent of his three-pointers last season.

Jay Johnson has been named the NCAA Division One National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Johnson just led the Tigers to their eighth national championship in school history. Johnson was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio and talked about the transfer portal class that he signed last offseason, was a big reason why the Tigers won it all…

Cut 19 (24) “…single day”

Johnson and the Tigers will celebrate their national championship with their fans at 8:00 tonight at Alex Box Stadium.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The public can pay their last respects to Dave Nitz at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City on Saturday from noon to 1:30 PM. A private ceremony will take place at 2 PM.

LSU may have won its eighth national championship just a few days ago, but head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already working on defending that title.  Glen West of 247Sports says the biggest question mark will be what the infield looks like around shortstop Stephen Milam. Some newcomers will be in the mix, but west says some returning bench players could also compete.

Cut 14 (13) “…and third.”

Tanner Reaves who started several games at third base could also be in the mix at the hot corner, if he doesn’t sign with a major league. Ethan Frey might get drafted high next month, but if he returns to LSU, he could play first base.

Tonight is the first round of the NBA draft and the Pelicans have reportedly already pulled off a big trade, sending 12 year veteran CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the 40^th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Poole will be playing for his third team in four seasons and is coming off a season where he averaged nearly a career high 21 points and four and a half assists this season. Poole also set a Wizards record last season with 235 made three pointers. He has two years left on his contract.

New Orleans has the seventh overall pick. Jake Madison, host of Locked on Pelicans, says if the Pels are looking to add to their backcourt they could be interested in Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears…

Cut 18 (12) “…exceptionally well”