24-7 sports is reporting 340-pound defensive tackle Travonte Valentine is back with the LSU Tigers and he’ll be able to play this fall. Valentine was kicked off the team 13 months ago, because of violating team rules. He’s considered the number one junior college defensive tackle in this year’s recruiting class.

After a devastating hamstring injury in the loss to Ole Miss last November, senior wide receiver Travin Dural is back healthy. Dural says it took eight months to recover, but he feels good as the team started full squad workouts today….
cut 18 (17) “…feels like”
One other LSU note…one of the top defensive backs in the country has committeed to the Tigers. Jacoby Stevens from Tennessee, also had offers from Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame.

Louisiana Tech’s first practice of fall camp is this afternoon. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz says his team faces several challenges, especially with the schedule…
cut 30 (18) “…open date”
Holtz has also announced that senior quarterback Ryan Higgins will not start the season opener against Arkansas after gettting arrested on a DWI charge.

In NFL news…former Saints wide receiver Lance Moore announced his retirement after a 10-year career. The 32-year-old caught 389 passes during his eight years in New Orleans.

The Saints have released veteran wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and activated left tackle Terron Armstead from the physically unable to perform list. New Orleans begins joint practices with the New England Patriots tomorrow.

Just a few days after signing with the Atlanta Falcons, wide receiver Lance Moore has announced his retirement, ending his 10-year NFL career. Moore spent seven seasons in New Orleans and played in 101 games starting in 2007. During his time in the Big Easy, he caught 346 passes for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Reporters have not had a chance to speak with LSU Quarterback Brandon Harris yet about fall camp, but his teammates believe Harris and the Tigers passing game is ready to take off this year. Here’s Junior wide out Malachi Dupre…
cut 17 (17) “…for us’
Also Wide out Travin Dural is back healthy after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in the loss to Ole Miss.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins will not start in the season opener against Arkansas because he was arrested last Friday on a DWI charge. Coach Skip Holtz says his senior signal caller will also undergo counseling, drinking and driving education and community service.

Holtz is disappointed in Higgins’ decision to drive drunk, but he’s happy former Oklahoma wide receiver Adrian Hardy is on the roster, because of what he brings to the field…
cut 30 (21) “…on the field”
The Bulldogs first practice of fall camp is this afternoon.

Back to the Saints….the team announced they’ve signed long snapper Chris Highland and released veteran wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Those that had been waiting all year to catch some pro football — will have to wait another four days. The NFL canceled Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game because of poor field conditions.

This 2016 Summer Olympic update out of Rio is brought to you by LUBA Workers’ Comp — delivering genuine dependability.

Former LSU standouts Sylvia Fowles amd Seimone Augustus and the US women’s basketball team opened play in the Olympics with a record route. The Americans pounded Senegal 121-56. Fowles tied for the team lead with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Katie Ledecky gave the US the first swimming gold of the Rio games last night in the women’s 400 meter freestyle. In the 4×100 meter freestyle, Michael Phelps picked up his 19th gold medal.

In gymnastics, LSU incoming freshman Ruby Harold – who competes for Great Britain, advanced to the finals.

So far, the US leads the medal count with 12 total.

Louisiana Tech is set to hold their first official team practice this afternoon, ahead of the season which begins September 3rd against Arkansas on the road. Coach Skip Holtz addressed the DUI arrest of starting quarterback Ryan Higgins. He says Higgins’ punishment does not include a suspension, however…:
CUT 1 (13) “situation”

LSU’s first full squad workout in full pads is this morning as the Tigers continue preparations for the season opener against Wisconsin. Many are wondering if the Tigers can greatly improve a pass offense that ranked 105th in the country last season. Junior wide receiver Malachi Dupre says the pieces are there to get it done…:
Cut 16 (11) “show it”

LSU is ranked sixth in the preseason coaches poll. That’s the Tigers highest preseason ranking since 2012. Linebacker Corey Thompson was a freshman that year. The fifth-year senior says he wants to leave LSU with a championship…
cut 20 (16) “….this year”

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech starting quarterback Ryan Higgns was arrested early Friday morning for driving while under the influence. Higgins was allegedly speeding and performed poorly on a sobriety test. His BAC was a reported .119. Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz says they won’t make any decisions on discipline, until they have the opportunity to gather all of the information. Tech begins fall camp on Sunday.

A former fan favorite for Saints fans will reportedly sign with NFC South rival Atlanta. Lance Moore, who will turn 33-years-old later this month, will get a chance to make the Falcons, who lack depth at the wide receiver position. Moore caught 29 passes for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Lions last season.

At Saints training camp, for a second day in a row, wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Keenan Lewis did not practice with the team. Coach Sean Payton is not commenting on their injuries, but Cooks is expected to return fairly soon. Cornerback Damian Swann, who had three concussions last season, also did not practice on Friday.

The Summer Olympics will dominant the sports world over the next couple of weeks. There are three Louisiana natives representing the United States. Baton Rouge native Seimone Augustus is seeking her third gold medal with the US women’s basketball team. Shreveport weightlifter Kendrick Farris is making his second Olympic games appearance and Baton Rouge’s Meghan O’ Leary is a rower.

The Saints defense last season produced 22 turnovers, but the goal is to increase that number this year. Linebacker Nate Stupar…
cut 17 (15) “….to victory”
Cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann missed practice today for a second consecutive day. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was also out and running back Mark Ingram was a no-show as well.

LSU sophomore defensive back Donte Jackson is back practicing with his team again, after missing much of spring practice because of academic issues. Jackson is ready for LSU to live up to it’s D-B-U nickname….
cut 19 (16) “…change a lot”

Louisiana Tech senior starting quarterback Ryan Higgins was arrested this morning in Ruston on a DWI charge. A police report says Higgins was speeding, performed poorly on sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol concentration of .119. Head Coach Skip Holtz says they are aware of the situation, but won’t release any further comments until they gather all of the information and talk with all of the parties involved. The Bulldogs kickoff fall camp on Sunday.

The battle for starting quarterback is underway at UL Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says Anthony Jennings, Jordan Davis and Jalen Nixon each had a good first day, with each taking turns with the number one offense.

There’s also a quarterback battle at McNeese State. Grant Ashcraft, Joe Lissard and James Tabany each took equal reps with the one and twos on the first day of camp.

And Northwestern State has added a pair of transfer defensive backs, Baylor walk-on Justin Barnes and California community college safety Eric Waters.

The first full day of camp is taking place on the practice fields at LSU. Veterans went through drills this morning and freshmen and a few older players have their own practice this afternoon. Coach Les Miles…
cut 19 (15) “…need reps”
The Coaches poll came out today and LSU is ranked sixth. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State and then Ohio State.

At Saints training camp, receiver Brandin Cooks did not practice today. Coach Sean Payton did not give a reason why Cooks was not in attendance. Cornerback Keenan Lewis, who just came off the physically unable to perform list, also did not practice. But Payton says they are taking it slow with the veteran, who had several injuries last season.

Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans will reportedly visit with the Seahawks tomorrow and is considered a good fit for Seattle’s offensive line. Evans who played for 10 years in New Orleans, was released by the Saints last February after refusing to take a pay cut. Evans has also visited with Buffalo.

ULM football coach Matt Viator says he’s pleased with the first day of fall camp. He says miskates were made as they install a new offense and defense, but it wasn’t as sloppy as a lot of first days are.

The NBA and the city of New Orleans are reportedly close to reaching a deal that will result in the Big Easy hosting the All-Star game on February 19th. A formal announcement could come as soon as next week, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. The league has been looking for a site for the All-Star Game since moving the contest from Charlotte, because of a bill approved that limits antidiscrimination protections for LGBT individuals.

Fall camp is underway at LSU as the Tigers held their first practice of the 2016 season this morning. LSU is considered one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference and play in the College Football Playoff. They’ll need to get good play from quarterback Brandon Harris. Coach Les Miles says he likes the poise the junior brings to the field…
cut 18 (15) “…more of that”
Veterans practiced this morning and the freshman will practice this afternoon.

Fall camp is also underway for the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette has a new offensive coordinator in Jorge Munoz and there’s a battle for starting quarterback. Jordan Davis and LSU transfer Anthony Jennings are competing for the job.

LSU is ranked sixth in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State and Ohio State. Tennessee is ranked 10th, Ole Miss 12th, Georgia 16th, and Florida 25th.

Fall practice began this morning for the ULM Warhawks. First year head coach Matt Viator says there will be a lot installing on offense, defense and special teams, plus reteaching what they taught in the spring.

Viator’s old school, McNeese State, has also started fall camp. The Cowboys return 13 starters from a team that went 10-0 in the regular season last year.

Southeastern Louisiana is glad to have running back Rasheed Harrell and fullback Juwaan Rogers back on the football field as the Lions start fall camp. Both watched from the sidelines last year as S-L-U went 4-and-7.

And Former LSU baseball star Ryan Schimpf has been named the National Legue Rookie of the Month for July. The Covington native hit a franchise record nine home runs last month for the Padres.

The LSU football team hits the practice field this morning for the first of several practices leading up to the season opener against Wisconsin on September 3rd. Coach Les Miles knows he has a lot of talent on this squad and wants to see it play out over the next month…:
Cut 17 (20) “very happy”
LSU is considered one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference and play in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers are ranked No. 4 in Fox Sports’ college football preseason poll. Alabama tops the list, followed by Florida State, and Clemson. The SEC placed six teams in the top 25.

The Saints get back to work today in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia after making some roster moves. The big news is that Saints defensive back Keenan Lewis is off the physically unable to perform list and returns to practice. The Black and Gold have signed safety Jamal Golden, defensive end Matt Shaughnessy and offensive lineman Jordan Walsh.

ULM’s football practice gets underway today. Coach Matt Viator, who enters his first season with the Warhawks, says he wants to carry over the lessons of spring camp. ULM will begin the fall with a couple days of practice in shorts and then shells before going to full pads beginning Monday morning.

It’s not official yet, but it could be coming soon. Sources say New Orleans is closing in on a deal with the NBA to host the 2017 All Star Game. If it happens, a formal announcement is expected to take place early next week.

In the MLB, the Phillies have placed former LSU star pitcher Aaron Nola on the 15-day disabled list with a strained elbow.

Former tiger baseball standout Ryan Schimph was named Wednesday to the National League’s rookie of the month.

104 players have reported for the start of LSU fall camp. Coach Les Miles says wide receiver Travin Dural is good to go after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury last year…
cut 30 (24) “….strong summer”
Miles also says that kicker Colby Delahoussaye will be able to participate in tomorrow’s first practice. Delahoussaye suffered minor injuries in a fatal car wreck that took place about ten days ago.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis participated in his first training camp practice today. He’s coming off an injury riddled 2015 season.

The Fox Sports’ college football preseason poll has LSU ranked fourth. Alabama is ranked number one, followed by Florida State and then Clemson. College football expert Phil Steele says LSU is loaded this season. He says the key will be getting above average play of the quarterback position….
cut 19 (09) “….as a starter”

The Sun Belt Conference has announced that the American Sports Network will televise some of their football and basketball games this year. And ASN has already announced that they’ll televise two Ragin Cajun football games, the season opener against Boise State on September 3rd and the September 17th matchup against South Alabama. The games will be shown locally and on ESPN 3.

In baseball…the Phillies have placed former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola on the disabled list, because of a strained right elbow. The 23-year-old right-hander is 6-9 with a 4.78 ERA in his first full season in the Majors.

LSU players are reporting for Fall camp. Many believe the Tigers have enough talent to win the Southeastern Conference. College football expert Phil Steele predicts the Tigers will make the College Football Playoff and he believes returning starter Brandon Harris has the talent to get the job done at quarterback…
cut 18 (09) “…big, big season”
Two big position battles to watch during fall camp are at left tackle and nose tackle. Davon Godchaux and Christian LaCouture will battle at starting nose tackle, while Maea Teuhema and KJ Malone will battle for a spot at left tackle.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis was activated from the physically unable to perform list and back on the practice field this morning at training camp in West Virginia. Lewis appeared in just six games last season, because of knee and hip injuries, plus he also had a sports hernia.

The Associated Press has ranked the all-time top 100 football programs in honor of this being the 80th anniversary of the AP Poll. Ohio State is ranked number one, followed by Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama and USC. LSU is ranked 11th and Tulane 70th. The AP counted poll appearances, number one rankings and national championships to determine an all-time Top 100.

The Sun Belt Conference announces that the American Sports Network will broadcast some of their games this season. ASN contests will be shown “over-the-air” and on cable affiliates, but they will also be available without blackout restrictions on ESPN 3 and the WatchESPN app. Two UL Lafayette football games will be ASN broadcasts, the September 3rd home game against Boise State and the September 17th contest against South Alabama.

15 current, former and incoming LSU athletes will represent seven different countries at the Summer Olympics in Brazil.