Jay Johnson added South Florida pitcher Kaden Smith out of the portal yesterday. The righty posted a 4.24 ERA in 46-and-two-thirds innings for the Bulls. The 6-2, 190-pound Florida native hurls a fastball touching 97 and struck out 52 batters.

After a slow start to the cycle, LSU has been hot on the recruiting trail and is targeting some key flips. Brother Martin five-star wideout Easton Royal is still committed to Texas, but he hasn’t shut the door on his recruitment. Geaux247’s Andre Champagne says his final decision will come down to the wire and he’ll consider more than just who offers the most money.

Cut 17 (17) “…the entire class.”

Four-star Texas DB commit Greedy James will make his decision between the Longhorns, LSU and Notre Dame this afternoon.

Former LSU star Paul Skenes had perhaps the worst outing of his young career last night, giving up a career-high seven earned runs in a 10-6 loss to the Phillies. Skenes pitched just four innings and allowed six hits, two homers and walked two batters. His season ERA is up to 3.62, and the Pirates have now lost in Skenes’ last nine starts.

LA Tech picked up a pair of in-state transfer commits yesterday. McNeese righty reliever Elliott Burrows pitched 27 innings his redshirt freshman season, striking out 32 batters with a 3.67 ERA. Nicholls junior Keegan Giger started 50 games at second base for the Colonels, batting .297 with six homers and 40 RBIs.

Tech softball landed a commitment from Michigan State sophomore pitcher Jacey Shuler. Shuler started 22 games this season and posted a 5.25 ERA with 49 strikeouts.

Former UL Lafayette pitcher Julianne Tipton is transferring to East Tennessee State. Tipton appeared in 23 games for the Cajuns and recorded a 3.78 ERA with 29 Ks.

The United States men’s soccer team won its first knock out World Cup match since 2002 as the U-S blanked Bosnia two-nil. Folarin Balogun scored the first goal of the night, but he also received a red card for committing what the referee determined to be a serious foul play on a Bosnian defender. Balogun will not be available when the U-S plays Belgium on Monday night.

After a red-hot June for LSU recruiting, Lane Kiffin’s staff will look to keep the momentum going. Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to announce his commitment between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday, but he pushed it back at the last minute. Geaux247’s Andre Champagne (Shom-pine) says he can do it all in the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…pretty much anywhere.”

Anding is the brother of current Tigers corner Aiden Anding.

__________________________________________________

Former LSU pitchers Kade Andersson and Anthony Eyanson were selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game later this month in Philadelphia. In Double-A, Anderson is 8-and-0 with 99 strikeouts and a 1.22 ERA. Eyanson has struck out 64 batters and posted a 1.07 ERA in 12 starts.

LSU baseball has signed another pitcher out of the transfer portal as right-hander Kaden Smith announced on Instagram he’s heading to LSU. At South Florida last season, Smith had an ERA of 4.24 and struck out 52 hitters, but also walked 25 hitters and hit 17 batters in 46 2/3 innings.

Louisiana Tech signed South Carolina transfer Jack Reynolds. The redshirt senior infielder appeared in just 17 games for the Gamecocks last season.

UL Lafayette catcher Colt Brown was named a first-team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball. He hit .324 with eight homers and 53 RBIs.

Former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador passed away at the age of 74 after a bout with brain cancer. In 33 years leading the Jaguars, Cador helped transform the program into an HBCU powerhouse. Southern Board of Supervisors Chair Tony Clayton says the school will open the Mini-Dome to honor Cador Monday.

Cut 5 (11) “…our children.”

LSU missed out on four-star D-B Brandon Sherrard, who committed to Texas today, but Geaux247’s Andre Champagne says that could reopen the door for four-star Longhorns commit Greedy James.

Cut 19 (16) “…watch out for.”

Former LSU pitcher Kade Andersson and Anthony Eyanson were named to the American League MLB All-Star Futures Game roster. In Double-A, Anderson is 8-and-0 in 13 starts with 99 strikeouts and a 1.22 ERA. Eyanson has struck out 64 batters and posted a 1.07 ERA in 12 starts.

UL Lafayette catcher Colt Brown was named a first-team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball. Brown hit .324 with eight homers and 53 RBI. He was also a member of the Perfect Game Freshman All-American second team.

Louisiana Tech signed South Carolina transfer Jack Reynolds. The redshirt senior infielder appeared in just 17 games for the Gamecocks this season.

Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador passed away of brain cancer at the age of 74 yesterday. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says Cador brought global attention to Southern, and he asked him one day how he could bring top recruits like Golden Spikes Award-winner Rickie Weeks to Baton Rouge.

Cut 4 (11) “…still is.”

Today could be the start of a big week in LSU recruiting. Four-star corner Brandon Sherrard chose Texas over the Tigers, but that could give LSU a better shot at flipping current Longhorns defensive back commit Greedy James. He’ll announce his commitment tomorrow.

Ruston High safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to make his verbal pledge today but decided to push it back. Anding is the brother of current Tiger Aiden Anding and will likely choose between LSU and Ole Miss. Athlete Tae Walden Jr. will announce his commitment today. Walden is Rivals’ third-ranked athlete in the class and will have his pick of the nation’s top programs at 2:30.

Louisiana Tech became the newest member of the Sun Belt Conference today, replacing PAC-12-bound Texas State. Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey expects to compete for conference championships right away and welcomes the pressure of a new conference.

Cut 10 (09) “…compete moving forward.”

The Sun Belt sent a school to the College Football Playoff last year and had back-to-back College World Series appearances. Ivey says football season ticket sales are already up 150-thousand-dollars.

The U.S. Men’s National Team plays its first World Cup knockout stage game tonight against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Stars and Stripes went 2-and-1 in the group stage, with the lone loss coming in a meaningless match against Turkey, in which four starters sat. U.S. star Christian Pulisic will make his return to the starting lineup. Kickoff in San Francisco is at 7:00.

Former UL Lafayette pitcher Cowan Alfonso is transferring to LSU-Shreveport. Alfonso pitched only an inning-and-a-third for the Cajuns this season after transferring in from Louisiana Christian.

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference today, a move that will reduce travel costs and historical rivalries are renewed. Athletics Director Ryan Ivey says they are already seeing the impacts…

Cut 11 (12) “…of the schedule”

And no more football games on Tuesday or Thursday night. La Tech’s six home football games are on Saturday this season

Rivals Summer Signing Day is today, and several top recruits will announce their commitments. The Tigers are finalists for a trio of four-stars: Ruston High safety Jayden Anding, Texas cornerback Brandon Sherrard and Tennessee athlete Tae Walden Jr.. Anding is expected to join his brother Aiden at LSU.

Tonight at 7 PM, America will be tuning in as the U-S Men’s soccer team faces Bosnia in the knockout round of the World Cup.

_________________________________________________________

A Louisiana sports legend has passed away. Former Southern player and baseball coach Roger Cador has died at the age of 74 after a bout with brain cancer. Cador led the Southern program from 1984 until he retired in 2017. In his 33 seasons as a head coach, the Jaguars won 14 SWAC championships and won two HBCU National Championships in 2003 and 2005. In 2022, he was inducted into the American Baseball Coach Association Hall of Fame.

Former LSU running back Richard Murphy is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Police say the 39-year-old was driving recklessly on June 14th when he ran a red light in downtown Baton Rouge and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver and his 69-year-old daughter-in-law Carla Tarver. The 2007 national champion from Rayville is facing two counts of vehicular homicide and authorities suspect he was impaired.

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.”

The 2007 national champion is facing two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.

LSU has two Walter Camp Preseason All-Americans. Tight end Trey’Dez Green was named to the first team while offensive tackle Jordan Seaton earned second-team honors.

Rivals Summer Signing Day is tomorrow, and several top recruits will announce their commitments. The Tigers are finalists for a trio of four-stars: Ruston High safety Jayden Anding, Texas cornerback Brandon Sherrard and Tennessee athlete Tae Walden Jr.

Louisiana Tech makes its official move to the Sun Belt tomorrow after months of negotiations and legal battles. After years of weeknight Conference USA matchups, the Bulldogs will host six Saturday football games for the first time since 2017 this season. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says visiting fans will have a major impact on the community.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

The Bulldogs host rivals ULL October 10 and Southern Miss November 14. They’ll visit ULM October 17.

Former Diamond Dogs infielder Casey McCoy announced he’d be transferring to Georgia. The Dutchtown High product started 51 games as a true freshman, averaging .281 at the plate with 28 RBIS and five homers.

North Caddo High School alum Robert Williams signed a three-year, 44-million-dollar extension with the Trailblazers. The center is entering his ninth NBA and fourth in Portland.

Former LSU women’s basketball stars Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese had their first professional meeting this weekend. Johnson’s Seattle Storm got the better of Reese’s Atlanta Dream in a 105-90 home win for Seattle. Johnson led the Storm with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Reese tallied 17 points and nine boards of her own.

The NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model could take away scholarships from some high schoolers by backlogging college athletics with fifth-year players. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

The Pelicans welcomed second-round draft pick Jaron Pierre yesterday. The New Orleans native is a 6-6 guard who averaged 17 points a game at SMU this season. He was also the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2025 with Jacksonville State. Pierre turns 24 in July and made 121 college starts over five seasons with Southern Miss, Wichita State, Jax State and SMU. He says that experience will help him transition to the NBA.

Cut 17 (16) “…the long run.”

Pierre will have his first opportunity for NBA action in the NBA Summer League July 9. The Pelicans have named assistant coach God Shammgod as the head coach of the summer league team.

Nicholls is welcoming new head basketball coach Darion Brown after Tevon Saddler’s departure for the NBA G League. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023.

A toolsy high school outfielder from Orlando has decided to withdraw his name from the Major League Baseball draft and play college baseball at LSU. Nathaneal Davis is a left-handed hitter who is ranked 125^th in ESPN’s draft rankings. Davis has excellent speed, with 78 stolen bases at Bishop Moore Catholic High in Florida.

SMU guard Jaron Pierre is the first New Orleans native to be drafted by the Pelicans. The St. Augustine alum was taken with the 58th overall pick after averaging over 17 points and four rebounds a game with the Mustangs. The 6-6 scorer met with the media yesterday said he can do it all.

Cut 16 (19) “…at showing it.”

Pierre shot 46-percent from the floor and 37-percent from three last season.

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 24, 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result.

BY-U Sports is reporting that Alexandria native Darion Brown will be the new head men’s basketball coach at Nicholls. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023 and was on the staff of the team that won the 2022 Southland men’s basketball title. This past season as a head coach at Texarkana, Brown led the Eagles to a 20-11 record, 15-7 in conference play.

LSU prep signee Nathaneal Davis is pulling his name from the MLB Draft and enrolling at LSU. The outfielder is a top-150 prospect in the draft and could contend for playing time as a true freshman. William Patrick is the current expected starter in center field alongside transfer corner outfielders Bino Watters and Jason Wachs. Davis joins lefty pitcher Braxton Beaty as the second high school draft prospect to choose LSU over the Majors.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was one of the many collegiate signal callers at the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. There may be no game on the 2026 college football schedule more highly anticipated than Lane Kiffin and LSU’s trip to Ole Miss. Chambliss says he can’t to face off against his former coach.

Cut 20 (13) “…win that day.”

The Tigers and Rebels face off in Oxford September 19.

New Orleans native Jaron Pierre spoke to the media today for the first time since being drafted 58th overall by the Pelicans. The 6-6 guard says he learned under former Pelicans guard Elfrid Peyton and says he’s ready to give back to the New Orleans community.

Cut 18 (17) “…on they way.”

Pierre is a high-flying three-level scorer who hopes to contribute to the Pelicans right away. He’ll see his first action in NBA Summer League July 9.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was traded to the Trailblazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The Pelicans were linked to trade talks to reunite the two-time All-Star with former AAU teammate Zion Williamson.

UL-Lafayette softball received a transfer commitment from Texas Tech infielder Angelyna Conde. The freshman played in just three games for the national runners-up this year.

Four-star outfielder Nathaneal Davis is withdrawing his name from the MLB Draft and heading to LSU. ESPN ranked the Orlando native as the number 125 prospect in the draft. He was projected to get second-round money.

The Pelicans welcomed second-round pick Jaron Pierre today. The St. Augustine alum averaged over 17 points a game and shot 37-percent from three with SMU this season and was the Conference USA Player of the Year with Jacksonville State in 2025. He said he knew he had a good chance of staying in New Orleans.

Cut 17 (17) “…was unbelievable.”

UL-Lafayette outfielder Jayce Lacava is transferring to Western Kentucky. Lacava hit .250 in just 10 appearances for the Cajuns this season.

LSU quarterback commit Peyton Houston continues to impress, winning 247Sports’ offensive MVP at Nike’s The Opening Finals this weekend. Houston led Team Southwest, which also featured Franklin Parish LSU commit Trey Martin and Brother Martin receiver Easton Royal, to the finals of the 7-on-7 tournament while leading the event with over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Royal, a five-star Texas commit, also praised Houston on social media. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning attended the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. The New Orleans native says he’s been involved in recruiting the fellow Crescent City standout.

Cut 19 (17) “…he does next.”

LSU and Florida are still fighting to flip Royal.