LSU football players are scheduled to report for practice next Tuesday in the first preseason camp of the Lane Kiffin era.

LSU released the men’s basketball schedule for Will Wade’s first season back in Baton Rouge. LSU tips off the regular season against LSU-NO November 3rd. They also host in-state matchups against La Tech November 9th, ULM November 18th and ULL December 22nd. SEC action tips off January 2nd against South Carolina and concludes February 5th at Missouri.

Top-rated LSU baseball signee Logan Schmidt is deciding between LSU and junior college. Schmidt was not happy with his offer from the Cleveland Guardians after being selected 59th in the MLB draft and did not sign. The left-handed pitcher is considering Golden West College in California so that he can be eligible for next year’s MLB Draft. If he comes to LSU, Schmidt could not return to the draft until 2029.

Former LSU ace Kade Anderson was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week after striking out seven in five perfect innings in a Double-A matchup against Tulsa.

Chiefs offensive coordinator and New Orleans native Eric Bienemy’s wife, Mia Bienemy, was shot at their home in Virginia. The couple’s 27-year-old son Elijah Zion was charged with the shooting. She is in stable condition after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin emphasized that he will continue to invest heavily in the transfer portal at LSU, even when not completely rebuilding the roster like he did this offseason. He said programs that have tried to invest in only traditional high school classes have not survived. The most infamous case of this is Dabo Swinney’s Clemson who brought in only five portal players in seven years before adding ten this offseason. Kiffin said freshmen don’t stick around anymore because of playing time or money.

Cut 17 (14) “…have that.”

He proposed a limit on the earnings of incoming freshmen similar to NFL rookie contracts.

Top LSU baseball signee Logan Schmidt is not signing with the Cleveland Guardians. The left-handed pitcher was taken 59^th in the MLB Draft but reportedly wanted more than the one-point-seven-million dollars Cleveland could offer him. The number-12 prospect in the country is now deciding between LSU or a junior college that would allow him to re-enter the draft next year.

At SEC Media Days last week, LSU coach Lane Kiffin said his goal at LSU was to combine the top portal classes with elite high school talent. Kiffin has become known as the “Portal King” in college football, and welcomed the number-one class this offseason. He said people need to reframe how they look at transfers.

Cut 16 (11) “…eligibility left.”

He says the structure of college football contracts encourages finding and developing portal talent rather than focusing just on high schoolers who may not stick around but get paid just as much.

LSU announced the 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule. The Tigers open the regular season November 3rd at home against LSU New Orleans. SEC play begins January 2nd when LSU hosts South Carolina. The Tigers have home matchups with Tennessee, Texas, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas. The 18-game conference slate concludes February 6th at Missouri.

Saints players report for training camp tomorrow. Vibes are high in New Orleans with second-year head coach Kellen Moore and quarterback Tyler Shough leading the way. The Saints will need both to take the next step this fall if they want to contend in the NFC South. New Orleans welcomed running back Travis Etienne, guard David Edwards and first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson this offseason to bolster the offense and figure out whether Shough can be the next franchise quarterback.

Former LSU star Angel Reese played in her third All-Star game this weekend. Reese had no points in just nine minutes, but she did tally five rebounds and four assists, including a pass to the Storm’s Dominique Malonga, who threw down the All-Star Game’s first dunk since Lady Tigers legend Sylvia Fowles. Reese’s Team Coop lost 129 to 122 to Team Spoon.

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is known as the portal king, but he’s also expressed his desire to build future rosters by signing the best high school players in the state and around the country. But Kiffin says the portal will always be a part of his roster building…

Cut 18 (15) “…through the portal”

LSU baseball could still add another big arm to its roster. Six-foot-four left-hander Logan Schmidt, who the Guardians selected with the 59^th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on July 11^th, has decided not to sign with Cleveland. Schmidt is the highest selected prospect of LSU’s 2027 signees, but it’s not a guarantee that he will end up on campus. Schmidt could decide to play junior college baseball instead.

Saints players will report to training camp tomorrow. New Orleans is looking to end a five-year playoff drought. Expectations are higher this year because of quarterback Tyler Shough, the signing of free agent running back Travis Etienne (Ay-chan), the defense finished ninth last year in total defense and the NFL South is not a strong division.

Opelousas native Wyatt Fontenot won his first X games gold medal on Friday. He won the Best Whip Competition at the Superdome. That’s where motorcross riders launch off a massive jump and try to throw their dirt bikes completely sideways while maintaining enough control to land safely. The 24-year-old is considered one of the rising stars of the X games.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman suffered his tenth loss of the season as his rough summer continues. He didn’t pitch bad against the Red Sox, Gausman allowed three runs in six innings, but Toronto still lost six to one to Boston. The M-L-B trade deadline is a week from today and it’s possible Toronto may trade Gausman for prospects.

LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.

Cut 12 (13) “…that does it.”

The Tigers have a tough nine-game SEC schedule for the first time ever this season. The conference added the game for its latest TV deal and to boost strength of schedule, but Kiffin said it will do more harm than good.

Cut 13 (11) “…anyone else.”

Georgia is the only team of the four voted ahead of LSU the Tigers do not play. They also have games against sixth-place Alabama and eighth-place Tennessee.

LSU landed nine players on the preseason All-SEC team, the third most of any school. Tight end Trey’Dez Green, tackle Jordan Seaton, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker Whit Weeks and punter Grant Chadwick are on the first team. Cornerback DJ Pickett and safety Ty Benefield made the second team, and center Braelin Moore and linebacker TJ Dottery are on the third team.

LeBron James is headed to the 76ers. James is signing a two-year, eight-million-dollar contract with a player option in what he called his “last decision.” The 41-year-old said he still wants to chase the feeling of winning another championship. His new home in the Eastern Conference means he will make only one trip to New Orleans in what could be his final season.

Former Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence in Milwaukee. Romo performed poorly on a field sobriety test, was taken into custody, booked and released.

Four incoming LSU softball freshmen will compete in the 2026 Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Game. The future Tigers are pitchers Addie Rackley and Ayla Tuua, catcher Karmen Vazquez and outfielder Sydnee Williams.

LSU helped wrap up SEC Media Days in Tampa yesterday. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025. Instead, he decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…to Baton Rouge.”

Weeks will have a new partner in the middle of the defense to help with that goal. Linebacker TJ Dottery led the SEC with 98 tackles at Ole Miss last season and followed Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. Weeks said he loves playing alongside him.

Cut 15 (12) “…to play with.”

LSU kicks off the season at home September 5^th against Clemson.

LSU hosts Texas November 14th. It will be the first meeting between the schools since the Tigers’ 45-38 win in Austin in 2019. The Longhorns were supposed to make a return trip as part of that series, but it was postponed by COVID and their move to the SEC. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 17 (07) “…so we’re excited.”

If you want a chance to meet Lane Kiffin and the Tigers before the season starts, NILSU Max is hosting a football meet-and-greet on August 8th. General Admission is 30-dollars for adults and 10-dollars for kids 5-and-under. VIP tickets are 100-dollars and include early access to the event and a picture with Kiffin.

Louisiana Tech will compete in the Round Rock College Baseball Classic with Alabama, Texas Tech and Texas State. The three-day event is scheduled to begin February 26th at Dell Diamond, the home of the Triple-A Round Rock Express.

We learned a little more about LSU football coach Lane Kiffin at SEC media days on Thursday. Kiffin explained it was his teenage son, Knox, who challenged him to stay off social media and he believes that subtraction has been a positive for himself.

Kiffin also told ESPN he wishes his exit from Ole Miss was not so messy. If he had to do it again, he would have asked if he can coach the Rebels in the playoffs and when they told him no, he just would have left for LSU without pushing the issue.

Accompanying Kiffin in Tampa at SEC Media Days was linebacker TJ Dottery who played for Lane at Ole Miss. Dottery explained why he came to LSU.

Cut 14 (13) “…a part of.”

Dottery began his college career at Clemson. He led the SEC with 98 tackles last year.

Arch Manning is returning as the starting Q-B at Texas. Manning got off to a rocky start last season, losing his first game to Ohio State, but the New Orleans native says he’s grown a lot since that defeat…

Cut 18 (09) “…repeat that game”

Texas plays the Buckeyes again this year, but this time in Austin in week 2.

Tthe first ever X Games Championship event is this weekend in NOLA. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin spoke at the final day of SEC Media Days today. He said he built his roster to win now and in the future, and he came to LSU to combine the best portal classes with the nation’s top freshmen talents.

Cut 19 (17) “…that combination.”

Kiffin dodged having to field many questions about his messy exit from Ole Miss with a 16-minute opening statement. Yesterday, Rebels coach Pete Golding compared the Kiffin situation to having an ex-girlfriend.

Cut 14 (13) “…to a certain degree.”

The Tigers play the Rebels in Oxford September 19.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin coached together at USC and Alabama. Sarkisian says Kiffin is a really good, creative coach who’s found success wherever he goes

Cut 20 (15) “…that he’s on.”

Sark and the Longhorns will visit Kiffin in Baton Rouge November 14. It is the first meeting between the two schools since the Tigers beat the Longhorns in Austin in 2019.

LSU hosts Mississippi State on October 17th. Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby says he’s excited to head to Tiger Stadium.

Cut 21 (16) “…it’s special.”

Lane Kiffin took the stage at SEC Media Days as a Tiger for the first time this morning. Kiffin welcomed the top-rated transfer class of 41 players as well as the 11^th-ranked recruiting class. He said the combination of his staff and the draw of LSU will be special, and it’s more than enough proof of why he came to Baton Rouge.

Cut 20 (13) “…and LSU.”

He reflected on his growth as a person since arriving at LSU. He said one of the ways he’s grown is his social media use. His son Knox challenged him not to use the apps. Kiffin said he has since deleted them and realized how many others are addicted.

Cut 6 (09) “…try this sometime.”

LSU hosts Texas A-and-M September 26th. Texas A-and-M quarterback Marcel Reed was a problem for LSU last year with 202 yards in the air, 108 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns in a 49-25 second-half blowout. Head coach Mike Elko says the Aggies just need him to play like that consistently.

Cut 15 (16) “…really high ceiling.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is entering his third year in Tuscaloosa. He led the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff win last year, but he says he knows at Alabama, his success is measured by national championships.

Cut 17 (13) “…everyone around me.”

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said there’s no ill-will between him and LSU coach Lane Kiffin at SEC Media Days yesterday. He said he tells Rebels fans who ask about what he thinks of Kiffin to look at it this way…

Cut 13 (11)  “…it’s okay.”

And the Rebels are expected to be good again this season. They may have lost Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, but they return starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 15-hundred yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Lacy wants to bring Ole Miss back to the College Football Playoffs and put up big numbers…

Cut 27 (14) “…my team”

Kiffin will speak at 8 AM.

Two of LSU’s biggest home games are against Texas A-and-M and Alabama. The Tigers host the Crimson Tide on November seventh. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer says he’ll have a tough decision to make before the season starts at quarterback, it will be either three-year backup Austin Mack or former top recruit Keelon Russell…

Cut 18 (12) “….the football field”

When the Tigers take on the Aggies on September 26^th, they will see their former starting offensive tackle Tyree Adams now wearing maroon and white. A-and-M head coach Mike Elko says the former St. Aug standout has made an impression in College Station…

Cut 16 (18) “…a major role”

Former LSU and NFL safety Ryan Clark is no longer employed by ESPN. He was one of several on-air employees laid off as part of another round of cuts for the sports network. Clark has worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN since 2015 and Out-kick writer Dan Zaksheske says the writing was on the wall for Clark’s dismissal since signing a new contract with ESPN in 2024….

Cut 4 (12) “…kind of thing.”

A heavy hitter in the New Orleans sports scene is leaving his post. Doug Thornton, who has managed the Caesars Superdome since 1997, is leaving his job on September 4th. The Dome hosted its first Saints game in 1975; and to this day, it still hosts Super Bowls, major college football games and other big events.

Cut 13 (09)  “…building to succeed.”

Thornton oversaw the massive renovation of the Dome following Hurricane Katrina. Another four-year, 560-million-dollar renovation was completed in 2024.

Southland Conference Football Media Days took place in Houston yesterday. Nicholls went four and four conference play in Tommy Rybacki’s first season as the head coach and he expects improvement in year two…

Cut 17 (19) “…great practice one”

Blaine McCorkle has won just one game since taking over as the Northwestern State head coach in 2024. He says year one, they cleared the rubble; year two, they laid the foundation, and now year three is the time to start changing the scoreboard.

Cut 18 (18) “…of the game.”