The rule has not been in effect for very long and already several Louisiana college athletes announced deals and partnerships with businesses, under the new name, image and likeness policy put in place by the NCAA. LSU All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior says he has a deal with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. Tigers Quarterback Myles Brennan says he has partnerships with Smoothie King and Smalls Sliders. Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis is the face of Eat Lafayette’s summer campaign.

New Iberia will throw a parade tonight to celebrate one of its own as pole vaulter Morgan LeLeux has qualified for the US Olympic team.  LeLeux says she’s excited to have the support of her hometown.

Cut 4 (10) “proud of me”

LeLeaux says she will leave for Tokyo on August 27th and plans to be standing on the medal stage August 6th.

Also, Grambling State has named Doctor Trayvean Scott as its new athletics director.

American sprinter and former LSU star Sha’Carri Richardson has reportedly failed a drug test and could face a 30-day suspension from the Olympic games after testing positive for marijuana.  Richardson admitted to smoking pot after learning from a reporter about the death of her biological mom.  With this suspension, she would miss the 100-meter race, but possibly participate in the four-by-100 relay.

LSU outfielder Dylan Crews has been named to the USA baseball 2021 Collegiate National Team roster.  Crews batted .362 this season with 18 homers, 42 RBI’s, and 12 steals.  The 45-man roster will be split into two teams to compete on an 11-game Stars vs. Stripes intra-squad scrimmage beginning today.

In basketball, the Ragin Cajuns leading scorer, Cedric Russell, has entered the NCAA Transfer portal. He’s the fifth member from last season’s team to enter the portal. Russell averaged 17 points and shot 40-percent from three-point territory.

Several Louisiana college athletes announced deals and partnerships with businesses on the first day they were allowed to do so, under the new name, image and likeness policy put in place by the NCAA. LSU All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior says he has a deal with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. Tigers Quarterback Myles Brennan says he has partnerships with Smoothie King and Smalls Sliders. Ragin Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis is the face of Eat Lafayette’s summer campaign.

American sprinter and former LSU star Sha’Carri Richardson has reportedly failed a drug test and may miss the Olympic games. According to sources, Richardson tested positive for marijuana based on a drug test taken at the Olympic trials. Richardson could receive a one-month ban, which means she would miss the 100-meter race, but possibly participate in the four-by-100 relay. Richardson Twetted out a three-sentence statement, “I am human.”
____________________________________________________________
New Iberia will hold a parade tonight in honor of pole vaulter Morgan LeLeux, who has made the U.S. Olympic team. Taylor Sharp has the story.
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

In basketball, the Ragin Cajuns leading scorer, Cedric Russell, has entered the NCAA Transfer portal. He’s the fifth member from last season’s team to enter the portal. Russell averaged 17 points and shot 40-percent from three-point territory.

Grambling State has named Doctor Trayvean Scott as its new athletics director. He’s spent the last ten years at Southern University where he was the Deputy Athletic  Director and Chief Operating Officer.

It’s a big day for college athletes as the NCAA is now allowing them to receive compensation off of their name, image, and likeness and still retain their college eligibility. Charles Hanagriff with Match Point, a firm that will connect college athletes with businesses, expects some athletes will strike six-figure deals, but most of the sponsorship agreements will be for a few hundred bucks…
Cut 10 (09) “…grassroots deals.”
LSU football players Myles Brennan, Derek Stingley Junior and Kayshon Boutte have announced paid partnerships with Smoothie King and Walk-ons and other businesses. Cajuns Quarterback Levi Lewis is now a spokesman for EatLafayette.

Industry analysts say LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne could bring in more cash than any other college-athlete because she has five million followers between Instagram and Tik Tok.

The Saints have made All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle. Ramczyk who was entering the final year of his rookie contract has agreed to a five-year, 96-million dollar deal that includes 60-million dollars in guaranteed money. Not bad for the former first-round pick who quit playing football for a year after high school
Cut 16 (25) “…back at it”
The 27-year-old has allowed just three sacks in the last two seasons.

It took him 16 seasons, but former New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul is finally heading to the NBA Finals after his Suns eliminated the Clippers last night.

And Mississippi State won its first NCAA championship in any sport as the Bulldogs baseball bashed Vanderbilt nine to nothing in the final game of the College World Series.

Starting today, college athletes can sign endorsement deals to promote products and give social media shoutouts and still retain their collegiate eligibility. LSU Deputy Director of Athletics and C-O-O Stephanie Rempe says universities can’t be directly involved in setting up endorsement deals but can help student-athletes secure these opportunities…
cut 5 (11) “….the deal”
LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan announced a deal with Smoothie King today, while cornerback Derek Stingley Junior says he’s partnering with Walk-On’s restaurants.

The Southland Conference announced Wednesday that its entire 2021 home football schedule will be televised on ESPN+, as all 30 games will be broadcast live.

The 2021 home broadcast schedule kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4, with non-conference games West Florida at McNeese and North Alabama at Southeastern

The Saints have made All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle. Ramczyk who was entering the final year of his rookie contract has agreed to a five-year, 96-million dollar deal that includes 60-million dollars in guaranteed money.  The 27-year-old also recently had a baby boy so it’s been a great few months for Ramczyk

Cut 17 (15) “so far”

LSU sophomore infielder Zach Arnold has reportedly entered the NCAA Transfer portal. Arnold hit .277, with seven home runs and 26 RBIs this past season.
Former New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul scored 41 points last night and C-P-3 is heading to the NBA Finals for the first time as the Suns eliminated the Clippers 130 to 103.

Ryan Ramczyk is the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL after signing a five-year, 96-million dollar contract extension to stay with the Saints. Ramczyk has allowed just three sacks in the last two years. The three-time All-pro selection on becoming the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history…
cut 18 (20) “….yeah”
The 27-year-old has also been very durable, missing only one game during his four-year NFL career.

LSU sophomore infielder Zach Arnold has reportedly entered the NCAA Transfer portal. Arnold hit .277, with seven home runs and 26 RBIs this past season.

College athletes can now officially collect compensation off of their name, image, and likeness after the NCAA Division One Board of Directors approved an interim NIL policy. Taylor Sharp has the story.
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

For the first time ever you can say the Mississippi State Bulldogs are national champions. The Bulldogs blanked Vanderbilt nine to nothing in the final game of the College World Series. ‘

And former New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul scored 41 points last night and C-P-3 is heading to the NBA Finals for the first time as the Suns eliminated the Clippers 130 to 103.

The Saints have made Ryan Ramczyk the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Ramczyk has signed a five-year, 96-million dollar contract that includes 60-million dollars in guaranteed money. Ramzyk was entering the final year of his rookie contract and will now make 19-million dollars a year.

Lawmakers anticipated when they passed sports betting legislation it would be online in time for the football season. But it’s not a quick process. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Jacque Vaughn has pulled his name out of consideration for the Pelicans head coaching job. Vaughn has been an assistant for the Nets for the last five seasons and according to ESPN Vaughn wants to stay close to his two teenage sons and is no longer seeking any head coaching job.

One of the first priorities for new LSU Head Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is to hire a staff, including a pitching and hitting coach. Johnson says he will not rush to hire someone because he wants to make sure he finds the right fit.
Cut 17 (20) …narrow search.”

The College World Series comes down to a winner-take-all game three tonight between Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. First pitch is at 6 PM.

One of the first priorities for new LSU Head Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is to hire a staff, including a pitching and hitting coach.

Kendall Rogers of D-1 Baseball-dot-com reports Texas Tech recruiting coordinator and assistant coach J-Bob Thomas is staying in Lubbock.  He’s refused Johnson’s offer to take on the same duties with duties with the Tigers.

Johnson also needs to meet with the players and try to find guys to fill out holes in the roster.  The new coach on what type of team he wants to field.

Cut 18 (17) “than LSU”

Jacque Vaughn has pulled his name out of consideration for the Pelicans head coaching job. Vaughn has been an assistant for the Nets for the last five seasons and according to ESPN Vaughn wants to stay close to his two teenage sons and is no longer seeking any head coaching job.

Adam Schefter reports that Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk is signing a five-year, 90 million dollar contract to stay in New Orleans, 60 million of which is guaranteed.  This deal makes Ramczyk the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.

Former LSU tiger and longtime NFL left tackle Andrew Whitworth might be ready to hang up his cleats for good.  Whitworth will turn 40 in December and he hinted on Chris Long’s Green Light Podcast that this might be it after reaching that milestone.  The West Monroe native began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006 and spent 11 years with the franchise before signing with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.  He’s played in 224 career games with 220 starts.

The college world series finals comes down to a winner-take-all game three tonight.  Vanderbilt won game one 8-2, then Mississippi State cruised to a 13-2 victory last night.  SEC player of the year Tanner Allen scored four runs for the Bulldogs in the win.  First Pitch for game three will be at 6 pm.

One of the first priorities for new LSU Head Baseball Coach Jay Johnson is to hire a staff, including a pitching and hitting coach. Johnson says he will not rush to hire someone because he wants to make sure he finds the right fit.
Cut 17 (20) …narrow search.”
Kendall Rogers of D-1-Baseball-dot-com reports Johnson tried to hire Texas Tech recruiting coordinator and assistant coach J-Bob Thomas, but Thomas is staying in Lubbock and he’ll get a pay raise.

But Rogers reports Arizona All-American Jacob Berry has entered the transfer portal and there’s a strong likelihood he’ll end up at LSU. Berry hit .352 with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs during his freshman campaign.

LSU Forward Darius Days is returning for his senior season. Days averaged 12 points and eight rebounds a game last season and shot 40-percent from three-point territory. Meanwhile, former LSU Tiger Josh Leblanc announces he has signed at U-A-B.

Jacque Vaughn has pulled his name out of consideration for the Pelicans head coaching job. Vaughn has been an assistant for the Nets for the last five seasons and according to ESPN Vaughn wants to stay close to his two teenage sons and is no longer seeking any head coaching job.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron told an ESPN Baton Rouge radio station that left tackle Dare Rosenthal has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Rosenthal is reportedly leaving LSU after violating a school policy.

The college world series is headed to a winner take all scenario as Mississippi State clobbered Vanderbilt 13 to 2 last night to even the championship series one game apiece. Game 3 is tonight at six o’clock.

New LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson says LSU is the place to be for college baseball…
cut 16 (15) “…..we have here”
One of Johnson’s first priorities is to fill out a staff. Kendall Rogers of D-1-Baseball-dot-com reports Texas Tech recruiting coordinator and assistant coach J-Bob Thomas is staying in Lubbock. He’s refused Johnson’s offer to take on the same duties with the Tigers.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named Louisiana Tech’s Hunter Wells as the hitter of the year. La Tech’s Lane Burroughs received coach of the year honors.

In basketball, LSU’s leading rebounder from last season Darius Days is coming back for his senior season.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron has been added as a defendant in a Title Nine lawsuit against the university by current and former students who say the school mishandled campus rape and sexual misconduct claims. Advocate newspaper reporter Andrea Gallo says Orgeron’s inclusion appears to be linked to an allegation first reported by USA Today that Orgeron had been told that running back Derrius Guice allegedly raped a student.
Cut 7 (12) “…people.”
When that story was first reported by USA Today, Orgeron said he was not aware of the rape allegations against Guice and that he never said that to the victim’s boyfriend.

Orgeron told an ESPN Baton Rouge radio station that left tackle Dare Rosenthal has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Tiger-Details-dot-com reports that Rosenthal is leaving LSU after violating a school policy.

New Tigers head baseball coach Jay Johnson was introduced publicly for the first to the LSU faithful Monday.
Johnson, the former six-year head coach at Arizona, says helming a program like LSU is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he relishes the challenge as well as the spotlight…

Cut 7 (10) “come true”

Johnson made two College World Series appearances during his six years as the head coach of the Wildcats.

LSU basketball player Darius Days announced that he is returning for his senior season.  Days averaged 11.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season.  The six foot seven forward is the most experienced player on a Tigers roster filled with young and talented players.

The 2021 Louisiana Sports Writers Association men’s baseball team has been announced and LSU and Louisiana Tech each placed a state-best six players on the team.  LSU right-hander Landon Marceaux earned LSWA pitcher of the year honors after posting a 2.54 ERA, while fellow tiger Dylan Crews was named freshman of the year.  Tech’s Hunter Wells was named hitter of the year after batting .385 with 14 homers this past season.

There are reports that LSU’s projected starter at left tackle Dare Rosenthal has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The six-foot-seven, 327 pounder has dealt with disciplinary issues during his career at LSU and will reportedly miss most of this season because of a violation of school policy.  Cameron Wire is one of the candidates to replace Rosenthal at left tackle.

LSU-Eunice infielder Jack Merrifield has been named the juco division II defensive player of the year.  Merrifield had a .987 fielding percentage and had a hand in 32 double plays.