The Saints begin training camp next week and wide receiver Michael Thomas and defensive end Marcus Davenport will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list. Thomas has missed most of the last two seasons because of ankle injuries and did not participate in any of the team’s offseason workouts. Davenport had offseason shoulder injury and part of his left pinky finger amputated because of an infection. Davenport is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

An LSU spokesperson says linebackers Antoine Sampah and Phillip Webb are no longer with the program because of medical reasons. The two combined to play in only nine games over the last two seasons. Both were top 100 recruits in the Class of 2020. During the offseason, LSU added four scholarship linebackers, including five-star recruit Harold Perkins and Kolbe Fields a transfer from South Carolina.

The Southern Jaguars have been picked to win the SWAC Western division based on a preseason poll released by the conference. Center Dallas Black was named to the All-SWAC preseason first-team…
Cut 16 (08) “…of the season”
Grambling is picked to finish fourth in the West Division. First-year head coach Hue Jackson hopes future schedules feature more games at Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium…
cut 19 (21) “….our university”
Grambling opens the season on September 3rd in Jonesboro versus Arkansas State. Week Two the Tigers are in Shreveport to face Northwestern State at Independence Stadium.

Saints veterans report for traning camp next week and today we learned the Black and Gold have placed wide receiver Michael Thomas and defensive end Marcus Davenport on the physicaly unable to perform list. Thomas is not a big surprise as Ian Rapoport reported earlier that Thomas should be ready to return to the field early in training camp, but not at the start. Davenport has dealt with injuries during his entire career and revealed last June he actually had part of his left pinky finger amputed. There’s no word on what Davenport’s injury could be that would keep from participating at the start of training camp. But this is a big season for him as it’s a contract year.

The Southern Jaguars are predicted to finish in first place in the SWAC West Division according to the preseason poll released by the league today. Grambling State is picked to finish fourth. Jackson State is picked to win the SWAC East.

LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list which goes to the best receiver in college football. Many are expecting a big year out of Boutte after an ankle injury cut his sophomore season short.

LSU has updated its football roster and two linebackers are no longer on it. Antoine Sampah and Phillip Webb. Sampah was a four-star recruit out of Virginia and played in six games over the last two seasons. Webb was a four-star recruit from Georgia and played in three games for LSU. According to Wilson Alexander at the Advocate, both players missed most of spring.

The Division One Council is proposing that college football players would have two windows during the calendar year to enter the transfer portal. One period would be in spring and the other would be winter. The recommendation needs the approval of the Division One Board.

Southeastern Louisiana is picked to win the Southland Conference in football this season. Last season’s Southland Champion UIW is picked to finish second and Nicholls finished third in the preseason poll. The Colonels missed the F-C-S playoffs last season with a six and five record. Coach Tim Rebowe says he likes the determination he’s seen from his team this offseason…
cut 17 (19) “…to go”
McNeese is picked to finish fourth. Northwestern State is picked to finish in fifth place.

In NFL news….the Tampa Bay Bucs have signed tight end Kyle Rudolph as a possible replacement to Rob Gronkowski. Rudolph is 32-years old and two-time Pro Bowler. He played last season with the Giants and was released this offseason.

And the Cardinals have signed Quarterback Kyler Murray to a five-year extension worth 230-million dollars that includes 160-million in guaranteed money.

Southeastern Louisiana is picked to win the Southland Conference in football this season. The Lions are coming off their second postseason appearance in the last three seasons, but they have to replace All-American quarterback Cole Kelley. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says Cephus Johnson and Coby Suits are battling to be the starter this year..:
Cut 16 (13) “…looking forward to it”
McNeese is picked to finish fourth. First-year head coach Gary Goff is working on establishing a winning culture at McNeese..:
Cut 18 (20) “ …hoping to win”
The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team is set to play in Peurto Rico during a summer event in preparation for the 2022-23 season. The Bulldogs will get 10 days of practice leading up to the trip in August where they will play in three games. The NCAA allows basketball programs to take a summer tour every four years.

Out at SEC Media Days, Florida Coach Billy Napier said Wednesday he plans to repeat the success he saw at UL-Lafayette with the Gators program. Napier won 40 games in four seasons in Lafayette and transformed the Ragin Cajuns into a nationally ranked program. He told reporters yesterday that he cherished his time in Lafayette.

The Saints have signed their second-round draft pick. Cornerback Alontae Taylor who had four career interceptions at Tennessee. Rookies have already reported for training camp.

LSU football has its share of question marks heading into the 2022 season. How will the offensive line perform, what kind of play will they get from the quarterback position and can the defensive secondary come together quickly with so many new faces. While, The strength of LSU’s 2022 football team appears to be the defensive line. Edge rusher B-J Ojulari says there’s a lot of talent with that position group…
cut 17 (22) “….D-Line chemistry’

The Saints have signed their second-round draft pick. Cornerback Alontae Taylor who had four career interceptions at Tennessee. Rookies have already reported for training camp.

Southeastern Louisiana is picked to win the Southland Conference football title this season. They were the preseason favorites last season as they returned quarterback Cole Kelley, who was named the top player in the F-C-S by winning the Walter Payton Award for the spring of 2021. Kelley has moved on to the NFL and Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says they may run the ball more this year…
cut 20 (19) “….stand point”
U-I-W, who won the conference last year, is picked to finish second in the preseason poll, followed by Nicholls, McNeese and Northwestern State is picked to finish fifth in the eight-team league.

N-I-L has been around for over a year in college athletics as players are now able to receive cash for endorsement deals. That means some players are making more than others, but wide receiver Jack Bech says that does not create any dissension…
Cut 18 (18) “ …gets in our way”
Alabama Coach Nick Saban says his players made three million dollars on NIL deals.

It appears LSU pitcher Paul Gervase will end his college career and sign with the Mets after New York selected him in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Shortstop Jack Pineda who announced he was transferring to LSU from Baylor also was picked in the 12th round and is expected to join the Royals organization.

For the second straight year, Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite for the Southland Conference football season. The Lions received 90 total points, edging out U-I-W who is the defending champs. Nicholls is picked to finish third, McNeese fourth and Northwestern State is expected to finish in fifth place.

The Southland Conference a year ago was on the verge of falling apart with several Texas schools leaving the league. But with U-I-W staying and Lamar returning, plus the addition of Texas A-and-M Commerce, first year commissioner Chris Grant says the league is in great shape…
cut 19 (16) “…will rise”
The Southland is celebrating its 60th year in existence.

The LSU players and the new coaching staff are still getting to know each other. During the SEC Media days, the players discussed how there is a new sense of accountability with head coach Brian Kelly’s staff. Linebacker Mike Jones says he’s very impressed with new defensive coordinator Matt House
Cut 16 (16) “…be done.”
Kelly has been the butt of some of the jokes at SEC Media Days, between his accent and his dancing with recruits. Even Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach had to get in on the fun….
cut 28 (10) “…right”
Today in Lake Charles, Southland Conference Media Days as the league begins celebrating its 60th year in existence.

_____________________________________________________________________

On Monday, Tigers relief pitcher Paul Gervase said he was returning to LSU. On Tuesday afternoon, Gervase said thank you to Tiger fans as he begins his journey in professional baseball after the New York Mets selected him in the 12th round.

The Ragin Cajuns had two players drafted on the final day of the Major League Baseball Draft. Toronto took pitcher Bo Bonds in the 13th round, while San Diego selected outfielder Tyler Robertson in the 14th round.

Northwestern State pitcher Johnathan Harmen went in the 13th round to the Reds and the Mets selected McNeese pitcher Cameron Foster in the 14th round.

Grambling State catcher John Garcia was drafted in the 19th round by the Houston Astros. He hit ten home runs last season and was second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in batting average as he hit over four-hundred.

The Saints have signed their second-round pick. Cornerback Alontae Taylor had four career interceptions at Tennessee.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly tells reporters at SEC Media Days that the offensive line needs to improve the most between now and the start of the season. The Tigers need to replace four starters, but Kelly says two players from the transfer portal, Tre’Mond Shorts and Miles Frazier bring depth and experience to the position
Cut 16 (15) “…developed.”
The incoming freshman class also features a couple of highly recruited O-Lineman in Will Allen from Neville and Emory Jones from Catholic High. LSU edge rusher B-J Ojulari says they are two good prospects…
cut 19 (12) “….fall camp”

For the first time in school history Louisiana Tech had four players selected in the first ten rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. Weekend starter Ryan Jennings went in the fourth round to the Toronto Blue Jays, Closer Kyle Crigger went in the seventh round to the Miami Marlins, West Monroe native Taylor Young went in the eighth round to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Marlins took left-handed pitcher Cade Gibson in the tenth round.

LSU relief pitcher Paul Gervase said yesterday he’s returning to the Tigers next season after leading team in saves with six in 2022. But today, the Mets drafted Gervase in the 12th round and he is apparently planning to play professional baseball. On Twitter, he thanked LSU fans for everything.

Also going in the 12th round is infielder Jack Pineda as he was selected by the Royals. Pineda was planning to transfer from Baylor to LSU.

Ragin Cajuns pitcher Bob Bonds was drafted in the 13th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Bonds was 5-and-3 with a 3.11 ERA last season. In the 14th round, San Diego selected Cajuns outfielder Tyler Robertson.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly provided reporters at SEC Media Days the qualities he wants from his starting quarterback…..
cut 18 (26) “…evaluate that”
Myles Brennan, Jaden Daniels, Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard will compete for starting quarterback when preseason camp begins in a couple of weeks.

One of the top linebackers in the country has made the decision to play on the West Coast. Many linebacker Tackett Curtis has decided he wants to play at USC over his finalists Ohio State and Wisconsin.

For the first time in school history Louisiana Tech had four players selected in the first ten rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. Weekend starter Ryan Jennings went in the fourth round to the Toronto Blue Jays, Closer Kyle Crigger went in the seventh round to the Miami Marlins, West Monroe native Taylor Young went in the eighth round to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Marlin took left-handed pitcher Cade Gibson in the tenth rounder.

LSU relief pitcher Paul Gervase has taken his name out of the M-L-B draft and will return next season after leading the Tigers in saves with six last season. Also, six-foot-eight right-hander Chase Shores from Midland, Texas has removed his named from consideration and will pitch next season for the Tigers. The M-L-B draft concludes today with rounds 11 through 20.

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly tells reporters at SEC Media Days that the offensive line needs to improve the most between now and the start of the season. The Tigers need to replace four starters, but Kelly says two players from the transfer portal, Tre’Mond Shorts and Miles Frazier bring depth and experience to the position..:
Cut 16 (15) “developed”
There is some concern LSU has lost ground in recruiting because the school is underfunded when it comes to finding name, image and likeness deals for its football players. But Kelly believes they are as competitive as anybody else..:
Cut 17 (16) “hamstrung”
The Tigers open the season against Florida State in New Orleans on September 4th.

Four Louisiana Tech Bulldogs were selected on Day Two of the 2022 MLB Draft. Ryan Jennings, Kyle Crigger, Taylor Young and Cade Gibson made history as the most Bulldogs selected in the first 10 rounds.

Paul Gervase, one of LSU’s top relief pitchers, announced on Twitter he’s going to return to the Tigers for another season. In his first season in Baton Rouge, the 6 foot 10 pitcher was tied for second on the team in appearances with 29 and went 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA. On Monday the Tigers saw Eric Reyzelman, one of their top pitchers last season, drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.

Today is the final day of the MLB Draft with coverage beginning at 1pm covering rounds 11-20.

Many linebacker Tackett Curtis announced Monday his commitment to USC. As a junior Curtis racked up 103 tackles including 12.5 stops for loss and an interception.