The LSU football team hit the field for the first practice of fall camp today. Tigers fans have high expectations for a team led by returning starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but for him to have the Heisman campaign fans think he’s capable of, he’ll need a line of four new starters to hold up. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says that’s on the top of his list of questions.

Cut 19 (22) “…the job.”

The Tigers will wrap up fall camp August 23 and kick off the season August 30 at Clemson.

Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is a 330-pound force in the middle of the D-line. New Orleans traded for the former Patriot this offseason for his ability to stuff the run after struggling to do so last season. Godchaux says he wants to bring the Saints’ defense back to its dominant ways.

Cut 18 (18) “…football is back.”

The Saints signed offensive tackle Jonathan Mendoza after hosting eight players for tryouts yesterday. Mendoza replaces veteran Josh Ball, who the team released Monday. The undrafted rookie blocked for Tyler Shough at Louisville last year.

Safety J.T. Gray was the only absence from today’s practice as he nurses a minor hamstring injury. He returned to practice on a light day yesterday and is week-to-week with the lower-body injury.

The Saints will return to a fully padded practice today after a slower-paced walkthrough practice yesterday. The schedule is part of head coach Kellen Moore’s approach players have raved about, emphasizing team bonding and recovery. As intensity ramps back up, so will the competition in the trenches. The Saints have tried to build the roster from the inside out and prioritize quality line play. New Orleans used the ninth overall pick on left tackle Kelvin Banks in this year’s draft, and he joins a starting line with four first-rounders. He says that’s a blessing and a curse.

Cut 16 (16) “…play football.”

Quarterback Jake Haener will take the starting reps today as the team gets back to its three-man rotation after Spencer Rattler got the starting nod in walkthroughs yesterday.

Saints right tackle Taliese Fuaga was selected 14^th overall last year and started at left tackle last season. Since the arrival of Banks, he’s moved back to the right side where he played in college. He says he feels comfortable on his natural side and enjoys playing next to fellow first-rounder Cesar Ruiz.

Cut 17 (15)  “…like that.”

LSU players reported for camp yesterday and will have their first of 21 practices today. Fall camp will wrap up August 23 as the team prepares for their long-awaited week one matchup with Clemson August 30.

Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks, UL-Lafayette defensive end Jordan Lawson and Tulane linebacker Sam Howard were all named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. The trophy is awarded each year to the best defensive player in college football.

The LSU football team reported for fall camp today. WWL’s Mike Detillier expects the Tigers’ defensive front to be improved, and he hopes to see linebacker Harold Perkins return to his role as a pass rusher. He has questions about the LSU secondary but was wowed by six-four freshman cornerback DJ Pickett. He says he hasn’t heard as much buzz about a freshman corner since Patrick Peterson.

Cut 20 (13) “…very intriguing.”

Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks was one of the 60 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist today. He was joined by Ragin’ Cajuns defensive end Jordan Lawson and Tulane linebacker Sam Howard. The trophy is awarded each year to the best defensive player in college football

After putting on the pads for the first time yesterday, the Saints had an indoor walkthrough today. Tomorrow will conclude the second time through the quarterback rotation as Jake Haener gets another crack at the starting reps. After the first week of camp, each young Q-B has shown flashes, but there’s no clear favorite yet. Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks says they all have the right approach.

Cut 17 (15)  “…young guys.”

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler led the team in walkthroughs, although head coach Kellen Moore warned against reading too much into the decision; it could suggest he’s the current frontrunner for the starting spot.

Safety and former All-Pro special teams ace J.T. Gray was present for walkthroughs today after leaving practice with an apparent lower-body injury yesterday. Head coach Kellen Moore says it is a minor hamstring issue that will be monitored week-to-week but shouldn’t be a long-term issue.

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today. WWL’s Mike Detillier says his biggest question mark this season is on the offensive line. Four of last year’s five starters left in the NFL Draft, with only center DJ Chester returning. Chester will likely move to the guard spot, where Detillier has questions on the interior. He is confident in young tackles Tyree Adams and Weston Davis, who saw playing time in last year’s bowl game.

Cut 11 (12) “…pick it up.”

Detillier also mentioned concerns in the defensive secondary. Will incoming transfers Mansoor Delane and Ja’keem Jackson patch holes in the Tigers’ cornerback room? Just how good is five-star freshman DJ Pickett? It’s time Tigers fans get their answers ahead of LSU’s August 30 opener at Clemson.

The Saints held a closed indoor practice today after putting the pads on for the first time yesterday. As the team moves from non-contact drills towards the start of preseason, the offensive and defensive lines come into focus. It was coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense that won the first day with notable performances from edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson. Granderson says his rushing partner is poised for a big season.

Cut 16 (15) “…be special.”

Granderson also complimented the speed and confidence of young tackles Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks. He says the pair is noticeably more comfortable since OTAs.

Four were killed in a New York office building shooting targeted at the NFL headquarters. Police said the gunman had a history of mental illness and found a note on him blaming the NFL for the CTE he suspected he suffered while playing high school football in California.

The LSU football team reports for fall camp today. There are high hopes for Brian Kelly’s fourth campaign in Baton Rouge, led by returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. WWL’s Mike Detillier says Nussmeier is the only sure first-round draft pick on the roster right now, but he has another breakout candidate.

Cut 10 (12) “…in his life.”

Hilton has struggled with injuries since coming to LSU as a four-star in 2021. He brought in six catches for 298 yards and three touchdowns in the final two games of last season.

Tulane forward Gregg Glenn III died in a car accident over the weekend, the school announced yesterday. Glenn was heading into his senior season with the Green Wave after starting all 34 games last year. The 22-year-old was a Florida native and the oldest of his siblings.

Saints safety Julian Blackmon has already made an impact after signing with New Orleans at the start of camp. The five-year vet says Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has been trying to get ahold of him since the 2020 draft, and he’s ready to show what he can do.

Cut 18 (16) “…what I’m seeing.”

He says he was looking to come to New Orleans even before Tyrann Mathieu retired, and there’s no replacing the Honey Badger

Cut 22 (09) “…here for.”

Former Pro-Bowl and All-Pro special teams specialist J.T. Gray went down with a lower-body injury yesterday. Head Coach Kellen Moore expects to have more information after practice today but said it initially didn’t look serious.

The LSU football team reports for camp tomorrow, and head coach Brian Kelly has said this is his best roster in Baton Rouge. WWL analyst Mike Detillier says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier stands out among a talented crowd of SEC quarterbacks.

Cut 20 (11) “…first-round pick.”

Detillier also mentioned linebackers Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks as standouts and highlighted wide receivers Chris Hilton and Barion Brown as his breakout candidates.

Tulane basketball player Gregg Glenn III died in a car accident over the weekend. The senior forward started every game for the Green Wave last season, averaging 10.6 points per game.

Saints safety and special teams standout J.T. Gray suffered the first injury of training camp today as he left practice with a lower-body injury. Head coach Kellen Moore said he is still being evaluated, but it didn’t appear to be serious.

The Saints put the pads on for the first time today. One of the early standouts of camp has been wide receiver Rahid Shaheed. One of the NFL’s most explosive deep threats, the speedster added ten pounds of muscle this offseason, and he says he expects to expand his game in Kellen Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (16) “…on Sundays.”

Veteran wideout Brandin Cooks confirmed Shaheed’s progress

Cut 21 (15) “…deadly weapon.”

Cooks has been a mentor in the young wide receiver room, which he says is hungry to prove itself. He also said Chris Olave has looked unphased as he moves on from multiple concussions.

The Saints had their first padded practice today. Safety Justin Rid was the Saints’ biggest addition of the offseason. The Louisiana native is a seven-year vet and will be a leader in coordinator Brandon Staley’s new defense. He says the most important things right now are staying healthy and learning the playbook.

Cut 17 (18)  “…entire season.”

The defense was the winner of the first day of pads. Edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson were frequent customers in the backfield, and undrafted free agent Omari Thomas made an impression with two would-be sacks. Second-round pick Tyler Shough handled the starting reps at quarterback as head Coach Kellen Moore cycles back through the three-man rotation.

LSU players report for fall camp tomorrow. Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has yet to win a season opener with LSU and has raved about the importance of starting 1-and-0 this offseason. The Tigers have a massive test August 30 as they visit Clemson. WWL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s an important game for both teams, but it may have a little more juice for the coach of the Bayou Bengals.

Cut 19 (19) “…Nussmeier is.”

Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes struck out nine in six shutout innings versus the Diamondbacks yesterday. Skenes was credited for the 6-0 victory as he allowed just three hits and one walk.

Free Agent tight end Noah Fant is scheduled to visit the Dolphins today after leaving New Orleans without a deal on Friday. Fant also previously met with the Bengals and has said he plans to weigh all his options before making a decision.

The Saints are putting on the pads for the first time in training camp today. It will be the first glimpse for both players and coaches of what the team can really look like. Tight end Juwan Johnson says the team has the best energy he’s seen since they started 5-and-2 with Jameis Winston in 2021.

Cut 16 (18) “…be okay.”

Rookie Tyler Shough will take the starting reps today after having a reportedly exceptional day with the twos yesterday. Rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman and recent addition, safety Julian Blackmon, each snagged impressive interceptions yesterday. Stutsman saw increased work with the first team as Demario Davis had an excused absence.

Saints Tight end Taysom Hill was spotted doing some individual drills with a team trainer on the sideline at camp yesterday as he recovers from a torn ACL. Hill is still on the physically unable to perform list but seems to be making progress toward a return.

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes turned in a dominant outing on the mound for the Pirates yesterday in a 6-0 win over the Diamondbacks. Skenes allowed just three hits and one walk through 6 shutout innings. He struck out nine and got the win, improving to 6-and-8 on the season.

Shreveport native and former LSU golfer Phillip Barbaree shot a 13-under round of 59 Saturday on the PGA Tour Americas. The score came in the third round of the Commissionaires Ottawa Open and is only the second sub-60 round in PGA Americas Tour history. Barbaree entered the final round of the tournament leading but fell to 10th yesterday after shooting an even par.

The Saints hosted former first-round pick Noah Fant for a visit today. The free agent met with the Bengals yesterday and comes to New Orleans as tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau are still sidelined with knee injuries. Tight end Juwan Johnson says he’d be an explosive option for the Black and Gold.

Cut 19 (17) “…room better.”

Fant has 300 catches for over three thousand yards in his six-year career. He ranked 18th among tight ends with 500 yards for the Seahawks last season. Johnson compared his potential addition to Jimmy Graham and Benjamin Watson sharing a tight end room in New Orleans.

Jake Haener took the starting reps at quarterback today. Safety Justin Reid says the young group has struggled early on in camp, and it’s the defense’s job not to take it easy on them.

Cut 20 (17) “…week one.”

Spencer Rattler had his second perfect passing day in just three practices. The team will have its first practice with pads Monday.

Louisiana is establishing a new legislative task force on NIL, chaired by Homer Representative Rashid Young, a former Grambling State football player. The task force is made up of athletic directors, business leaders and college athletes and will meet monthly to discuss recommendations for future state laws on NIL compensation. Recommendations are planned for the January 2026 legislative session.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore is looking for his QB1 in a rotation among Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and 2023 4th-round pick Jake Haener. Haener is the senior of the group but was last to receive first team reps, which he did today. Haener lost out on the starting job last year to Rattler following the Derek Carr injury, but Moore has insisted he’s involved in the competition. Haener says he’s learned the NFL doesn’t care about your feelings.

Cut 18 (13) “…totally respect that.”

Free agent tight end Noah Fant is in New Orleans for a visit today. Knee injuries to tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau have sidelined them for camp so far. Fant was a first-round pick in 2019 and has caught 300 passes for over 3-thousand yards. He also took a recent visit to Cincinnati.

Second-round pick Tyler Shough ran with the third team today, and Spencer Rattler led the twos. Both growing up near Phoenix, Arizona, Rattler says he’s known Shough for a long time.

Cut 17 (16)  “…with them too.”

Rattler flashed today with a deep ball to wideout Mason Tipton, who was a big-time camp performer last year after signing as an undrafted free agent. He threw the first interception of camp to rookie Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley yesterday.

Louisiana Tech is bringing new turf to the football stadium, and the field will now be known as Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. The new field will replace the turf originally installed in 2015 and feature an Origin Bank logo at each 25-yard line