It’s report day for many college football teams today. Expectations are not high around the league as the LSU Tigers are picked to finish fifth in the SEC West, but Coach Brian Kelly says their offseason conditioning program has the team prepared to play in Atlanta for a championship
Cut 16 (20) “….in December.”
Figuring out a starting quarterback is priority number one.

There will also be quarterback battles at U-L Lafayette and Louisiana Tech, while Southern Miss transfer Chandler Rogers is expected to be the starter at ULM.

Preseason Southland favorite Southeastern Louisiana opens fall camp today as the Lions will get ready for their September third opener in Lafayette against the Cajuns.

The NFL has suspended Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fined him one-point-five million dollars for tampering with former Saints Coach Sean Payton and Tom Brady. Miami has also lost a first-round pick in 2023 and a third round pick in 2024. The Dolphins discussed having Sean Payton as their head coach with Payton’s agent, while Payton was still coaching for the Saints.

Ragin Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard has received a one-year contract extension that keeps Maggard under contract at UL Lafayette through June 2027. Maggard is leading the effort to renovate Cajun Field and he’s looking to upgrade several other facilities….
cut 20 (24) “….volleyball team”

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says there is no timeline on when Tyrann Mathieu will report to training camp. Allen says they are allowing Honey Badger his space and they’ll welcome him with open arms when he returns to the team. The former LSU Tiger and New Orleans native signed a three-year contract with the Black and Gold in May.

Some Who Dats are concerned about a drop off at head coach with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allren replacing Sean Payton. But Linebacker DeMario Davis calls Allen one of the smartest coaches he’s ever been around…
Cut 18 (20) “ about it”
Allen made a smart move today, he moved this morning’s practice indoors because of heavy rainfall.

Woodlawn of Baton Rouge Quarterback Rickie Collins decommitted from Purdue last night and there’s speculation Collins could join LSU’s 2023 recruting class. 24-7 sports ranks Collins as the 13th best quarterback in the nation and 12th best recruit in Louisiana. The Tigers do not have a quarterback in their 2023 recruiting class.

Former Vanderbilt shortstop Carter Young will not play at LSU next season, because he signed a one-point-three million dollar contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Young was selected in the 17th round by Baltimore, despite hitting .207 for the Commodores this past season.

U-L Lafayette athletics director Doctor Bryan Maggard has received a one-year contract extension which means Maggard is now under contract through June 2027. Maggard was hired in 2017 and last season the Cajuns won a Sun Belt title in football, baseball and softball, plus raised more than 30-million dollars, the school’s most successful year in fundraising.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who is facing a felony battery charge in Las Vegas, had his scheduled court date yesterday postponed 60 days. Kamara was practicing with the Saints yesterday and this postponement likely means that he will NOT be suspended at the start of the season, because the NFL usually doesn’t hand down punishment until legal proceedings are complete.

Also, Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is still not with the team. Coach Dennis Allen says they are allowing him the space to handle what he needs to handle.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis is entering his fifth season in the NFL and his 11th overall. He’s made the All-Pro team the last three years and the 33-year-old says the goal for this year’s Black and Gold defense is to be the best they can be….
cut 16 (16) “…to be”

A shortstop set to transfer from Vanderbilt to LSU is turning pro instead. Carter Young has signed a one-point-three million dollar contract with the Baltimore Orioles just ahead of a deadline for recently drafted players to sign. Young was selected in the 17th round by Baltimore, despite hitting .207 for the Commodores this past season.

Woodlawn of Baton Rouge Quarterback Rickie Collins has decommitted from Purdue and there’s speculation Collins could join LSU’s 2023 recruting class. 24-7 sports ranks Collins as the 13th best quarterback in the nation and 12th best recruit in Louisiana. He committed to Purdue in October.

Louisiana Tech announces it will hold a fall fan fest on August 13th at the Thomas Assembly Center. Players and coaches from football, soccer, and volleyball will be available from noon to 2 PM that day to sign autographs.

The Warhawk Roadshow Finale will take place Thursday night at the Bayou Pointe Event Center. Warhawks football coach Terry Bowden will speak.

The Saints held their first padded practice today and still no Honey Badger. Tyrann Metheiu remains absent from training camp with what appears to be an excused absence. Head Coach Dennis Allen says there’s no timetable on Mathieu’s return.

Alvin Kamara’s scheduled court hearing in Las Vegas on a felony battery charge was postponed for another 60 days. Kamara is accused of punching another man eight times during a fight at a Las Vegas casino.

Running back Mark Ingram is competing in his 12th NFL training camp. At the age of 32 he’s the NFL’s second oldest running back…
Cut 18 (21) “ …anytime soon”

A shortstop set to transfer from Vanderbilt to LSU, instead is turning pro. Carter Young has signed with the Baltmore Orioles organiziation for a reported one-point-three million dollars just ahead of today’s 4 o’ clock deadline. He was selected in the 17th round by Baltimore, despite hitting .207 for the Commodores this past season.

Louisiana Tech announces it will hold a fall fan fest on August 13th at the Thomas Assembly Center. Players and coaches from football, soccer, and volleyball will be available from noon to 2 PM that day to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

La Tech also announces it received 5-point-six million dollars in donations, the highest dollar figure since fiscal year 2017 with the exception of disaster relief efforts. Tech athletics that support for the women’s teams grew significantly. The money will help pay for new lockers for women’s basketball, new uniforms and a batting cage for softball.

The Saints held their first padded practice this morning. Head Coach Dennis Allen says this is there chance to get a true evaluation of the players…
cut 27 (27) “….little bit”
Through the first few practices, the Saints defense has been getting the better of the offense. Newly acquired wide receiver Jarvis Landry says the Saints secondary has a lot of depth and they are versatile…
cut 17 (15) “…make plays”

The NBA is mourning the loss of a legend with the passing away of Bill Russell at the age of 88. Russell was born in West Monroe, but moved to to California at the age of eight. Russell won two NCAA championshipsat University of San Francisco, a Gold Medal and eleven championships 13 years with the Boston Celtics. Russell won the NBA MVP five times and is the first Black head coach in any major sport and won two NBA Championships as a coach in 1968 and 1969. Russell was also one of the few athletes who spoke out against racism during the 50s and 60s.

Catholic High 5 five star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. will announce his college of choice on Saturday and he’s narrowed his choices to four schools: LSU, Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M. Sampson is the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 player in Louisiana.

4 star offensive tackle Tyree Adams has committed to LSU football. He is the No. 13 prospect in Louisiana and the No 20 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

An NBA Legend from North Louisiana has died. Monroe native Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics, has passed away at the age of 88. Russell won the NBA MVP five times and is the first Black head coach in any major sport. Born in Monroe before his family moved to California when he was 8, Russell was also one of the few athletes who spoke out against racism during the 50s and 60s.

Catholic High 5 five star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. will announce his college of choice on August 6th, and said on Instagram he’s narrowed it down to four schools: LSU, Alabama, Florida State and Texas A&M. Sampson is the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 player in Louisiana.

4 star offensive tackle Tyree Adams has committed to LSU football. He is the No. 13 prospect in Louisiana and the No 20 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

The pads come on for the first time today at Saints training camp. Through the first four days of practice, the defense performed better than the offense. Saints wide receiver Jarvis Landry says the defense is competing at a high level:
Cut 16 (18) “our DNA”
Preseason for the Saints kicks off on August 13th versus the Texans.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson continues to work the transfer portal adding Air Force right handed pitcher and catcher Paul Skenes. Skenes was named a first team All American by D1 Baseball and collegiate Baseball this season.

Saints coach Dennis Allen says tight end Taysom Hill has injured his ribs and will be out for a little bit. Hill missed the spring workouts to recover from surgery on his left foot.

Much of the media attention at Saints training camp is on the offense, who now has a healthy Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas, plus the additions of receivers Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry. But Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says the defense will take this team where it wants to go…
Cut 18 (23) “ …championship defense”
Saturday’s training camp practice is open to the public. For fans wanting to attend a practice check out the Saints website.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson announces the signings of five Division one transfers. Right-handed pitcher Christian Little of Vanderbilt, North Carolina state third baseman Tommy White, Vandy shortstop Carter Young, UCLA Pitcher Thatcher Hurd and Air Force pitcher and utility player Paul Skenes, who earned first team All-American honors last season. Also Young was a 17th round draft choice by the Orioles, but decided to play at LSU instead.

The Northwestern State Demons men’s basketball team signed this week Florida prep hoops star Hansel Enmanuel. His stats make him a standout, yes…but also amazing is he has only one arm. Coach Corey Gipson…
cut 5 (08) “…is related”
Enmanuel is six-foot-four and during his senior season, he averaged 26 points, eleven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks a game.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says he’s been impressed with quarterback Jameis Winston’s leadership during the first few days of training camp. Winston has better receivers to throw to this season with free agent addition Jarvis Landry and the selecting of Chris Olave in the draft. There’s also the return of Michael Thomas. Thomas has caught over 500 passes in his career and in the last season he was healthy, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. Winston is looking forward to working with Can’t Guard Mike…
Cut 17 (14) “…gonna happen”

Over in Tampa Bay, Buccaneers pro bowl center Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury and the fear is that he tore his ACL and will miss the upcoming season. The 31-year-old center agreed to a three-year 39-million dollar contract in March.

An All-American at Air Force announces he’s transferring to LSU to play baseball for the Tigers. Right-hander Paul Skenes was the Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year with a 10-3 record and 2.73 ERA in 15 starts as a sophomore. He can also slug. At the plate Skenes hit .314 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.

Northwestern State men’s basketball has signed Hansel Emmanuel, who is featured in a Gatorade Commercial, dunking, even though his left arm was amputated when he was six years old. Demons Coach Corey Gipson says it’s clear that life challenges have made the three-star recruit even more determined…:
CUT 4 (08) “that guy”
Enmanuel is 6’4″ and in his senior season he averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 block a game.

Jameis Winston is getting ready for his second season as the starting quarterback for the Saints. Winston recognizes he has more weapons around him this season
Cut 16 (15) “….beautiful thing“.
Still no Tyrann Mathieu at Saints training camp as he’s been excused by the team to deal with a personal matter. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport remains on the physically unable to perform list, but has been seen trying to get himself back in shape after offseason shoulder surgery.

According to league sources Zion Williamson contract extension with the Pelicans contains a weight clause. His weight and body fat percentage must reportedly stay below 295 or his guaranteed money is reduced. The Pelicans have listed Williamson’s weight at 284 pounds.

An All-American at Air Force announces he’s transferring to LSU to play baseball for the Tigers. Right-hander Paul Skenes was the Mountain West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year with a 10-3 record and 2.73 ERA in 15 starts as a sophomore. He can also slug. At the plate Skenes hit .314 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.

Mike the Tiger could soon be coming to a theatre near you. Brooke Thorington has more about the feature film that’s in the works.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have their star wide receiver Michael Thomas back. The NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 is practicing earlier than expected this training camp after missing all of last season with an ankle injury. Thomas says he’s ready to win some games for new head coach Dennis Allen….
cut 17 (16) “….front of me”
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says a healthy Thomas brings endless potential to the offense.
cut 30 (22) “…even more”

At Sun Belt Media Days, second-year ULM Coach Terry Bowden says he’s expecting to go to a bowl game. The Warhawks are coming off a four and eight season, but Bowden says he has a more mature football team this year and a better idea who will start against Texas in the season opener…
cut 19 (16) “….and defensively”
ULM opens Sun Belt play on September 24th against the Ragin Cajuns, who are picked to win the league’s western division. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux told the Daily Advertiser he hopes to name a starting quarterback by August 22nd. Sophomore Chandler Fields and Junior Ben Woolridge are battling to replace three-year starter Levi Lewis.

Outfielder Gavin Dugas says he’s coming back to LSU for a fifth season. The Houma native suffered a thumb injury last season and hit .306 in 39 games.