LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron says the team’s number one ranked 2020 recruiting class according to 247Sports.com is evidence the team’s brand has gone national. 247Sports.com recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the most remarkable part of the class is that 11 of the 14 commitments are from out of state…
Cut 15 (13) “…doing.”
LSU’s two five star targets are cornerback Elias Ricks of California and wide receiver Rakim Jarrett from D.C. There are no five star rated prospects from Louisiana this year.

ESPN announces they are moving former LSU Tiger Booger McFarland to the booth with play-by-play man Joe Tessitore for their Monday Night Football broadcasts. Last year McFarland was on the sidelines riding around in a mobile cart. ESPN is not replacing Jason Witten, who has returned to the Cowboys.

A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state receives Senate approval and is heading to the House. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says there’s already an active sports betting black market, and while the law may increase the overall amount of gaming, it will also contribute funding for early childhood education….
cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education”
No one spoke against the legislation.

In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech lost its fifth straight as Northwestern State beat the Bulldogs three to one. ULM thumped Alcorn State 11-4. Arkansas crushed Grambling 17-3 and UNO upended Tulane 14-9 by scoring 10 runs in the eighth inning.

Tonight, McNeese and Southeastern meet in a non-conference game in Hammond. Nicholls takes a four game winning streak to Baton Rouge, where they’ll play Southern.

With 14 commitments for the 2020 class, 24-7 sports rates the LSU football program as the number one class in the country as they are ranked ahead of Alabama, Clemson and Miami. Three of those 14 commitments are wide receivers, including five-star prospect Rakim Jarrett from Washington D-C. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon believes big name pass catchers are turning their eye to Baton Rouge due to the professional success of a duo of Cleveland Browns.
Cut 16 (10) “…right now”
The class jumped back on top of the rankings after the team captured the commitment of the nation’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antoine Sampah.

Former LSU running back Spencer Ware has signed with Indianapolis Colts. Ware has spent the last three seasons in Kansas City after he was drafted by Seattle in 2013.

The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to reality following a full Senate vote. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech lost its fifth straight as Northwestern State beat the Bulldogs three to one. Tech committed four errors in the game. Demons right-hander Jerry Maddox threw 5.2 innings of shutout baseball for the win.

ULM thumped Alcorn State 11-4. Chad Bell blasted his first home run of the season. Arkansas crushed Grambling 17-3 and UNO upended Tulane 14-9.

LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade’s name surfaces again in the ongoing NCAA Basketball corruption trial in New York. A video was played of former Arizona Assistant Coach Book Richardson discussing how Wade had a $300-thousand deal in place for LSU Forward Naz Reid.

After being reinstated, Wade agreed to a provision in his contract that would give LSU cause to fire him if he was found in violation of NCAA recruiting rules. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says this fits the bill, if this latest allegation is true…
Cut 8 (12) “…allegations.”
LSU released a statement that says they continue to monitor the situation, but they have no comment at this time because of the fluid nature of the matter. Wade was reinstated from a five-week long suspension earlier this month after reports of an FBI wire tap claimed the coach discussed a strong offer for a recruit.

In LSU’s win over Alabama on the baseball diamond last Sunday, Landon Marceaux struck out nine in the five to four victory as the freshman looked healthy after batting arm problems earlier this year. Coach Paul Mainieri liked how Marceaux battled back from a shaky start…
cut 17 (09) “…as well”
Marceaux is scheduled to start again on Sunday when the Tigers host Ole Miss for a weekend series. On his call-in radio show last night, Mainieri didn’t sound optimistic that Cole Henry would return to the weekend rotation, because of elbow soreness.

LSU football has received a verbal pledge from four-star linebacker Antoine Sampah of Virginia. He’s the 11th out of state commit in the Tigers 2020 recruiting class, which is currently ranked number one in the nation according to 24-7 sports.

In high school football, Tommy Tharp is reportedly leaving as the head football coach of Mangham. Tharp led the Dragons to three state runner-up finishes from 2013 to 2015.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s name has emerged again in the NCAA corruption trial. A recording was played of convicted former Arizona coach Book Richardson and in the video Richardson said Wade told him about 300-thousand dollar recruiting offer for five-star recruit Naz Reid. At this point, the recruiting violation allegation is just hearsay, but Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says the ongoing trial is painting a picture of how much illegal money is flowing in recruiting….
cut 9 (09) “…continues”
LSU released a statement that says they continue to monitor the situation, but they have no comment at this time because of the fluid nature of the matter.

Four-star linebacker Antoine Sampah from Virginia has announced his verbal pledge to the LSU Tigers. He’s ranked as the nation’s second best inside linebacker by 24-7 sports.

Once LSU got past the disappointing loss to Alabama on Friday, Coach Paul Mainieri says a lot of encouraging things occurred for the Tigers who went on to win the series over Crimson Tide. Mainieri says he liked what he saw from catcher Saul Garza, who hit his second home run of the season on Sunday….
cut 18 (15) “….getting better”
Mainieri says Garza will continue to split time with Brock Mathis behind the plate during the final three weeks of the regular season.

One of the best athletic trainers in the NBA is reportedly leaving Phoenix for New Orleans. Aaron Nelson has been with the Suns since the Charles Barkley’s days, but the Pelicans new head man of basketball operations David Griffen apparently convinced him to come to the Big Easy.

In high school football, Tommy Tharp is reportedly leaving as the head football coach of Mangham. Tharp led the Dragons t three state runner-up finishes from 2013 to 2015. His departure means the three Richland Parish schools all have head coaching vacancies in football.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s name surfaced in a federal courtroom in New York today where an NCAA corruption trial is ongoing. A recording was played in which a former Arizona assistant coach said he discussed with Wade a 300-thousand dollar recruiting offer in order to get Reid to sign with LSU. Reid played a vital role this past season in helping LSU win an SEC regular season title. There has yet to be any corroborating evidence in court connecting Wade to this potential deal.

In football recruiting, LSU’s 2020 class is rated number one in the country. On Sunday, the Tigers received a verbal commitment from five-star wide receiver Rakim Jarrett from Washington D-C. LSU has 13 commitments for the 2020 class, which is ranked ahead of Clemson, Alabama and Miami.

LSU baseball has moved up slightly in the polls after taking two out of three, while Louisiana Tech lost its ranking in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper after getting swept by Rice.

Despite only one pick in the first three rounds, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says the team selected three players rated in the top 70 on their board. New Orleans made two trades during the seven round draft to move up. In round two, they made a deal with Miami to take Texas A&M Center Erik McCoy and in the fourth round they executed a deal with the Jets to take Florida safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they were calculated moves
Cut 16 (14) “…lot of times”
The Saints have a kicker in Will Lutz, but former LSU Tiger Cole Tracy will reportedly have a try out with New Orleans during their mini-camp. Tracy says he will also have a try out with the Packers.

Former LSU running back Nick Brossette has signed as a free agent with the Patriots. Former Northwestern State wide receiver Jazz Ferguson signs with Seattle.

Selecting a tight end was considered a need for the Saints heading into the NFL draft and the Black and Gold took Notre Dame’s Alize Mack in the seventh round. In 2015, he was rated as the number one tight end in the nation coming out of Las Vegas, but only caught four touchdown passes at Notre Dame. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they like Mack’s potential
cut 17 (12) “succeed here”
The Saints have also signed tight end Jake Powell from Monmouth College as an undrafted rookie. New Orleans will also give former Tigers Cole Tracy and John Battle a try out during rookie mini-camp.

The Patriots have signed former LSU running back Nick Brossette has an undrafted rookie. Former Northwestern State wide receiver Jazz Ferguson signs with Seattle.

After winning two of three from Alabama this past weekend, the LSU Tigers find themselves ranked 12th in the Baseball America poll and two games out of first place in the SEC West. On Sunday in Tuscaloosa, the Tigers took down the Crimson Tide five to four. The D-1 poll also has LSU ranked 12th.

Louisiana Tech has fallen out of the Collegiate Baseball Poll after getting swept by Rice. The Bulldogs lost in 10 innings yesterday for their fourth straight loss. Tech will travel to Natchitcohes to face Northwestern State on Tuesday. The Demons dropped two of three this past weekend to Stephen F Austin.

LSU football’s 2020 recruiting class ranks number one after the Tigers received a verbal commitment from five-star wide receiver Rakim Jarrett from Washington D-C. LSU, who has 13 commitments, is ranked ahead of Clemson, Alabama and Miami,

Longtime ULM sports information director Bob Anderson has passed away. He held the position from 1961 to 1994.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is like every other NFL executive in that they like their draft class. New Orleans made five picks and highlighting the class is second round selection Erik McCoy, a center out of Texas A-and-M. Loomis says McCoy is the type of interior O-Lineman they were looking for…
cut 18 (15) “….checked all of the boxes”
The Saints have a kicker in Will Lutz, but former LSU Tiger Cole Tracy will reportedly have a try out with New Orleans during their mini-camp. Tracy says he will also have a try out with the Packers.

Former LSU running back Nick Brossette has signed as a free agent with the Patriots. Former Northwestern State wide receiver Jazz Ferguson signs with Seattle. Nicholls State’s second all-time leading receiver Damion Jeanpierre signs with Carolina.

Saul Garza and Daniel Cabrera hit solo home runs and freshman pitcher Landon Marceaux shook off a shaky start as the 14th ranked LSU Tigers defeated Alabama 5-4 to win the rubber match of the weekend series in Tuscaloosa. LSU is now 13-8 in the SEC, two games back of Arkansas for first place in the west division.

It was a rough weekend for Louisiana Tech in Houston. Rice swept the Bulldogs and completed the sweep with a walk off victory in 10 innings yesterday. Tech falls to 12-9 in Conference USA play.

Southern defeated Grambling 15 to 3 in seven innings to salvage a game in their three-game set. Despite losing to A-and-M Corpus Christi five to three yesterday, Southeastern Louisiana remain tied for first place with Sam Houston for first place.

The Cajuns were swept by Texas State in a non-conference series and ULM has moved out of last lace in the Sun Belt West Division by taking two of three from Arkansas State.

Longtime ULM sports information director Bob Anderson has passed away. He held the position from 1961 to 1994.

The LSU Board of Supervisors approved the contract today for new athletics director Scott Woodward. He’s the first LSU AD to make over one-million dollars a year. But LSU Vice President for Legal Affairs Thomas Skinner says only $525,000 of it comes from taxpayer dollars.
cut 13 (09) “…contracts”
The board also approved the amended contract of basketball coach Will Wade. It takes away his bonuses from this past season.

The Saints finally get a chance to make a selection tonight in the NFL draft. They didn’t have a first-round pick last night, because of the trade they made last year to move up and get defensive end Marcus Davenport. Coach Sean Payton on what kind of player they’re looking for
Cut 18 (07) roster”

LSU freshman pitcher Cole Henry will not pitch this weekend when the 14th ranked Tigers visit Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says Henry has developed soreness in his pitching elbow. The coach says the plan was for Henry to start tonight and move Zack Hess back to the bullpen
Cut 16 (20) “…getting sore”
Mainieri says they don’t believe the injury to Henry is serious and an MRI on the elbow came back clean. First pitch tonight in Tuscaloosa is at 6 PM.

Louisiana Tech is in Houston for a weekend series at Rice. The Bulldogs baseball stadium suffered significant damage from an early Thursday morning tornado. Tech’s softball stadium and soccer complex were also severely damaged.

Some are surprised to see former LSU cornerback Greedy Williams still available after the first round of the NFL draft. Williams may have hurt his draft stock when he decided not to take any pre-draft visits. He is expected to go in the second round tonight and former Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson is also a projected second round pick.

The Saints first pick of the 2019 draft will take place tonight, late in the second round. They only have one pick in the first four rounds and six overall. Coach Sean Payton says they can also strengthen their roster with undrafted free agents…
cut 19 (20) “….time on”
The Saints have the 62nd pick overall.

LSU freshman pitcher Cole Henry will not pitch this weekend when the 14th ranked Tigers visit Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri says Henry has developed soreness in his pitching elbow. The coach says the plan was for Henry to start tonight and move Zack Hess back to the bullpen
Cut 16 (20) “…getting sore”
Mainieri says they don’t believe the injury to Henry is serious and an MRI on the elbow came back clean. First pitch tonight in Tuscaloosa is at 6 PM.

Louisiana Tech is in Houston for a weekend series at Rice. The Bulldogs baseball stadium suffered significant damage from an early Thursday morning tornado. Tech’s softball stadium and soccer complex were also severely damaged. The softball team moved its series with Western Kentucky to ULM.

Former LSU linebacker Devin White is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was selected fifth overall in last night’s NFL draft. But his teammate at LSU, cornerback Greedy Williams, was not selected. His draft stock had fallen when he chose not to do any pre-draft visits with teams.

The Saints first pick of the 2019 draft will come late in the second round tonight. They only have one pick in the first four rounds and six overall, with two in the sixth and two in the seventh. Coach Sean Payton says they can also add to the roster through undrafted free agents…
cut 19 (20) “….time on”
The Saints have the 62nd pick overall.

LSU freshman pitcher Cole Henry will not pitch in this weekend’s series against Alabama, because of elbow soreness. Coach Paul Mainieri is hopeful it’s not serious….
cut 17 (25) “….next weekend”
Mainieri says the plan was for Henry to start tonight and put Zack Hess in the bullpen.

Louisiana Tech softball has moved its series with Western Kentucky to ULM because of damage to their softball stadium. The baseball team is at Rice and the Love Shack also received substantial damage. University President Les Guice described the softball and baseball stadiums as unusable.