LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson was able to lure Minnesota Twins pitching Coach Wes Johnson to Baton Rouge for the same position. Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says having a coach with MLB experience should boost recruiting.

Cut 17 (15) “…like that.”

Johnson returns to his roots, having spent nine seasons as a college pitching coach before joining the Twins in 2018. He says his decision was driven by his family.

Cut 21 (11) “…things of that nature.”

The Tigers have also added another infielder in Vanderbilt transfer Carter Young, while outfielder Brody Drost is transferring to Louisiana Tech.

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ESPN announced today that former Saints special teamer Steve Gleason will be honored next month with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, joining tennis legend Chris Evert and NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as recipients of the honor. The award celebrates athletes, teams, and sports industry executives that have taken risks and used innovative approaches in the sports world to help the disadvantaged. ESPN will contribute 50 thousand dollars to his Team Gleason Foundation, which raises awareness of ALS and support for those affected by it.  Gleason was named as the 2022 recipient of the NCAA Inspiration Award earlier this year.

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Former LSU great and recently retired NFL lineman Andrew Whitworth is making the move to television. Whitworth, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year, is expected to be part of the Prime Video studio team when Amazon begins broadcasting Thursday Night Football this fall.

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Westgate five-star safety Derek Williams announced on Twitter that he’s 100 percent committed to the Texas Longhorns, where he will join Arch Manning among others. Tioga offensive lineman Hayden Christman has announced his commitment to Louisiana Tech.

The final D1 baseball rankings have LSU finishing the season at number 25…however that could be the lowest we see the Tigers placed for quite some time. This offseason LSU has already added some dynamic transfers and regardless of the results of the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft, they’ll welcome the top recruiting class in the country. Recruiting hasn’t stopped with players either. Tigers head coach Jay Johnson believes he’s added the best pitching coach in baseball to the staff, Wes Johnson from the Minnesota Twins. Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says Johnson’s resume speaks for itself.

Cut 16 (15) “…pitching coach.”

The Tigers have also added another infielder in Vanderbilt transfer Carter Young, and LSU outfielder Brody Drost is transferring to Louisiana Tech.

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ESPN announced today that former Saints special teamer Steve Gleason will be honored next month with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, joining tennis legend Chris Evert and NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as recipients of the honor. The award celebrates athletes, teams, and sports industry executives that have taken risks and used innovative approaches in the sports world to help the disadvantaged. ESPN will contribute 50 thousand dollars to his Team Gleason Foundation, which raises awareness of ALS and support for those affected by it.

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The chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board says casinos in Shreveport and Lake Charles are seeing an influx of sports bettors from Texas. Ronnie Johns says sports betting has been operational for over six months now, producing 12-point-five million dollars in additional tax revenues for the state with 80 percent of that from mobile sports betting. Johns says a portion of that money goes towards early education…

Cut 14 (12) “…sports betting”

Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson has been named the new pitching coach at LSU. Johnson has agreed to a three-year deal that would pay him one-point-one million dollars. Tigers head coach Jay Johnson says Wes Johnson is the best pitching coach in the country.

Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says it’s been a busy offseason for Jay Johnson, who has also been busy adding starting infielders through the transfer portal…
cut 18 (16) “….some gusto”
And Johnson has added another infielder as Vanderbilt shortstop Carter Young has announced he’s transferring to LSU after hitting .207 with seven home runs this past season, but the year before he hit 16 home runs.

Outfielder Brody Drost is transferring from LSU to Louisiana Tech.

The chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board says casinos in Shreveport and Lake Charles are seeing an influx of sports bettors from Texas. Ronnie Johns says since sports betting is not legal in the Lone Star State, the properties on the western side of the state are benefitting and they are investing that money back into their casinos
Cut 13 (09) “…incredibly nice”
Johns says sports betting has been operational for over six months now and it’s produced 12-point-five million dollars in additional tax revenues for the state.

Another blue chip recruit from Louisiana is heading to Texas. Westgate five-star safety Derek Williams announced on Twitter that he’s 100-percent committed to the Longhorns.

LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson says he’s hired the best pitching coach in the country, Wes Johnson. Wes Johnson is pitching coach for the American League Central division leading Minnesota Twins. Prior to his time with the Twins, he was pitching coach for Arkansas in 2017 and 2018. In 2018 the Razorbacks were national runners-up.

Ole Miss won its first national championship in baseball yesterday with a four to two win over Oklahoma. Former LSU player and assistant coach Mike Bianco wins his first national title as a head coach, 22 years after taking the job in Oxford…
cut 7 (10) “…accomplish anything”
Bianco was a captain on the Tigers 1989 College World Series team and was an assistant for LSU when they won three titles from 1993 to 1997.

LSU’s Myles Brennan was one of several college quarterbacks at this weekend’s Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux. Brennan is preparing for his sixth season at LSU and says he never thought his college career would take the winding road that it has…
Cut 16 (17) “…what’s ahead.”
Arch Manning, who recently committed to Texas, was also a camper at the Manning Passing Academy. Arch announced his verbal commitment with a six-word Tweet on Twitter. His uncle Peyton Manning liked how Arch publicized his commitment…
Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has hired Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson to be the pitching coach for the Tigers. On paper it looks like a good hire. Minnesota has the 11th best team ERA in Major League Baseball and they are in first place in the A-L Central. Wes Johnson was the pitching coach at Arkansas in 2018 when the Razorbacks finished as national runner-ups.

There are many people in Louisiana happy for Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco. His Rebels won the College World Series yesterday with a four to two win over Oklahoma. Bianco is a former LSU player, assistant coach and a former head coach at McNeese. It took him 22 seasons as the head coach at Ole Miss to finally win a national title
Cut 5 (10) “…been through.”
Bianco was on the hot seat a month ago as the Rebels finished ninth in the SEC, two games under .500 in conference play.

With the college baseball season done, we are now 69 days away from the start of the college football season. When preseason camp starts in August, LSU’s Myles Brennan will battle with Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels and redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier to be the starting quarterback. Brennan has big goals for his final season at LSU…
Cut 17 (17) “ …I can”
Brennan admits it has been a big transition from the Ed Orgeron coaching staff to new head coach Brian Kelly.

In major league baseball, the Yankees rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Houston Astros six to three in ten innings yesterday. Former LSU Tiger D-J LeMahieu hit two run homer in the eighth inning to tie the game and Aaron Judge hit a walk-off bomb in the tenth to win it.

Ole Miss received one of the last at-large bids in the NCAA Baseball Tournament and the Rebels are the last team standing after beating Oklahoma four to two yesterday to sweep the Sooners in the College World Series finals. Many LSU fans are happy for Rebels head coach Mike Bianco, who was a captain on the Tigers 1989 College World Series team and was an assistant for LSU when they won three titles from 1993 to 1997.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has reportedly turned to the Major Leagues for his new pitching coach. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers was the first to report the Tigers are hiring Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson. Johnson has been with the Twins the last four seasons after spending nine seasons as a college pitching coach, most recently with Arkansas in 2018. He’s also had stops at Mississippi State, Dallas Baptist and Central Arkansas. Wes Johnson is leaving a team that’s in first place in the American League Central.

Now that the college baseball season is over, the official countdown has begun for the start of the college football season. LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan admits it has been a big transition from the Ed Orgeron coaching staff to new head coach Brian Kelly…
cut 18 (12) “….fired up”
Brennan was at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux this past weekend.

The nation’s top high school football recruit for the Class 2023, Newman quarterback Arch Manning, ended speculation on his college choice when he committed to Texas last week. His uncle, Peyton Manning, gave his nephew some advice…
Cut 19 (17) _“…when you know, you know.”

The College World Series Championship series begins today with Ole Miss facing Oklahoma and next year Jay Johnson wants LSU in that position. The Tigers have added two more players to next year’s roster through the transfer portal as North Carolina State’s Tommy White and Vanderbilt’s Christian Little are reportedly transferring to LSU. White set the NCAA freshman home run record by hitting 27 bombs and driving in 74 runs. He has two more years before he’s draft-eligible. Little is a right-hander from St. Louis who went 4-and-4 with a 4.65 ERA and striking out 95 in 81 innings. D-1 baseball’s Kendall Rogers says Little has the potential to be a first round pick.

And the top women’s basketball player in the Class of 2023, Parkway’s Mikaylah Williams has committed the LSU Lady Tigers.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies take place tonight in Natchitoches as the Class of 2022 is inducted. Former Ruston High and LSU Tiger Kyle Williams is one of the headliners. Williams played 13 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. But he still remembers those preseason practices at LSU….
cut 30 (23) “…do it”
Also going into the Hall of Fame is late McNeese and Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux, former LSU softball pitcher Britni Sneed Newman and Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2024 that will reportedly pay him 18-million more dollars over the next three seasons.

U-I-W announces its staying in the Southland Conference. The school in San Antonio planned to join the WAC on July 1st. UIW’s decision to stay gives the Southland seven football-playing schools this fall and nine overall.

LSU women’s basketball continues to add to a stellar recruiting class with the announcement that Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams, the top-ranked player in the nation, has committed to the Tigers. She was last season’s state basketball Player of the Year after averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals as a junior at Parkway High. Williams is the highest-rated recruit for the program since Seimone Augustus, also ranked number one, in 2002.

Not to be outdone, baseball coach Jay Johnson is about to welcome two new Tigers through the transfer portal: NC State first baseman Tommy White and Vanderbilt righty Christian Little according to D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. White set the NCAA freshman home run record with 27 in 55 games last season, while batting .362 with 74 RBI. Little is a 6-4 flamethrower projected to develop into a potential major league first-rounder.

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According to ESPN, Saints linebacker Demario Davis has signed a one-year extension through the 2024 season.

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The New Orleans Pelicans selected 6-7 guard Dyson Daniels out of Australia with the eighth pick in last night’s NBA Draft. Daniels is known for his ability to play both ends, passing, and high basketball IQ.

Cut 16 (12) “…this is crazy.”

In round two the Pelicans maybe got the steal of the draft in Ohio St. forward E.J. Liddell, who was rated as a first-round talent. Liddell averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, and nearly three blocks per game for the Buckeyes last season, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time. New Orleans also drafted European big man Karlo Matkovic, though he will likely remain overseas for another year or two.

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All-SEC forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17th pick, becoming the 17th LSU player taken in the first round all time. Darius Days agreed to a summer league deal with the Spurs, and Shareef O’Neal was signed by the Lakers. Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr inked a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.

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LSU women’s basketball continues to add to a stellar recruiting class with the announcement that Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams, the top-ranked player in the nation, has committed to the Tigers. She was last season’s state basketball Player of the Year after averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals as a junior at Parkway High.

A couple of LSU men’s basketball alumni were taken in the NBA Draft. All-SEC forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17^th pick, becoming the 17^th LSU player taken in the first round all time. Darius Days agreed to a summer league deal with the Spurs, and Shareef O’Neal was signed by the Lakers.

Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr inked a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Tech also announced that women’s hoops coach Brooke Stoehr’s contract has been extended through the 2025-26 season. Last season the Lady Techsters finished 21-12, their best record in a decade.

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Ole Miss beat Arkansas 2-0 in Omaha to advance to the finals of the College World Series where they will face Oklahoma. The best-of-three series begins Saturday at 6 pm.

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As expected, the New Orleans Pelicans selected guard Dyson Daniels with the eighth pick in last night’s NBA Draft. Daniels spent last season playing for the NBA’s G-League Ignite squad, where he averaged 11 points, six boards, four assists, and two steals per game. He credits his experience in the G-League with getting him into the lottery and onto the Pelicans.

Cut 17 (19) “…for sure.”

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Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon says there was a moment of concern that Daniels wouldn’t be there at eight, but he’s glad they were able to add their top target.

Cut 21 (14) “…that we have.”

In round two the Pelicans maybe got the steal of the draft in Ohio St. forward E.J. Liddell.

As predicted by many, the Pelicans selected 6-7 guard Dyson Daniels out of Australia with the eighth pick in last night’s NBA Draft….
Cut 16 (12) “…this is crazy.”
The 19-year-old played in the G- League last season. He’s known as a good defender who can finish at the rim. Only shot 25-percent from three-point territory in the G-League last year.

The Houston Rockets selected former LSU forward Tari Eason with the 17th overall pick. Eason led the Tigers in scoring last season, averaging almost 17 points a game, but Eason also believes he’s a good defender…
cut 18 (12) “….as a player”

The speculation can end on where Newman quarterback Arch Manning will play college football. The grandson of former Saints Quarterback Archie Manning issued a six-word Tweet on Thursday that said he’s heading to Texas after his senior season with the Greenies. Manning is considered the top prospect in the Class of 2023.

LSU was a longshot to sign Manning and he was also considering Alabama and Georgia.

The Tigers also made some recruiting news as three-star wide receiver Kyle Porter from Lucas, Texas said he’s committed to LSU. The 5-10, 175 pound receiver is the sixth commitment for the Class of 2023.

Induction ceremonies are this weekend in Natchitoches for the 2022 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class. Former LSU defensive tackle Kyle Williams, late Ragin Cajun and McNeese Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux and former Saints guard Jahri Evans highlight the class.