The Saints hit the practice field today to open training camp. Optimism is high in New Orleans as the Black and Gold look to snap a five-year playoff drought. Much of that excitement centers around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. General Manager Mickey Loomis says Shough showed this offseason he has the leadership and intangibles needed to succeed.

Cut 16 (14) “…can take us.”

Chris Olave is expected to be Shough’s top receiving target this season. Loomis says he doesn’t anticipate any restrictions on Olave during training camp after the wide receiver was treated for a blood clot discovered at the end of the 2025 season. Loomis also confirmed the Saints continue to discuss a contract extension with Olave.

Meanwhile, the rivalry between LSU and Ole Miss has moved into the courtroom. Ole Miss has sued former Rebels Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper, claiming they owe nearly $1 million in buyout payments after signing revenue-sharing agreements in January before transferring to LSU. The Rebels say they have tried to collect the money and also contacted LSU, but the Tigers responded that they are not a party to those agreements.

In Major League Baseball, former LSU standout Aaron Nola pitched well but took his ninth loss of the season. Nola gave up just one run over five and two-thirds innings as Miami edged Philadelphia, 1-0.

Another former Tiger, Gage Jump, tossed four scoreless innings to help the Athletics beat the Red Sox, 4-3.

And Alex Bregman collected three hits as the Cubs rolled past the Cardinals, 10-2.

The Saints reported for training camp today. New Orleans has been one of the breakout candidates of the offseason after finishing last in the NFC South last year. They finished the season 4-and-1 in their last five games as quarterback Tyler Shough settled into the starting role. GM Mickey Loomis says that narrative isn’t a bad thing.

Cut 19 (20) “…we just are.”

He highlighted Shough and corners Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry as players they need to keep improving this season.

Wide receiver Mason Tipton and defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver were placed on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list to start camp. Loomis said wide receivers Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson and running back Kendre Miller are all cleared and good-to-go.

Final revisions to the Protect College Sports Act have been made. Lawmakers have sent the new language to the SEC and the Big Ten and given them a deadline of 8 a.m. tomorrow to announce their positions. The bill will either move to the U.S. Senate floor next week or be delayed and likely die completely. One of the largest changes to the bill was the addition of a 20-million-dollar retention pool that would allow schools to exceed the revenue share cap to retain student-athletes.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play out the final season of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Mayfield has made little progress on a contract extension to stay in Tampa and previously said he would put any negotiations on hold once training camp started. Bucs D-tackle Vita Vea also requested a trade from the organization yesterday after holding in during veteran minicamp.

Former LSU basketball standouts Max Mackinnon, Skylar Mays and Darius Days are all signing deals to play in Australia’s NBL. Mackinnon is signing a two-year deal with his hometown Brisbane Bullets where his father won a championship and League MVP in 2007.

The Saints report for their second training camp under head coach Kellen Moore today. New Orleans went 6-and-11 in Moore’s first season but ended the season 5-and-4 when rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and says fans should be hopeful heading into year two.

Cut 16 (16) “…of the ball.”

Former LSU standout safety Jamal Adams is signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The three-time Pro Bowler could serve as a replacement for veteran Harrison Smith as he considers retirement, but after taking all of his Raiders snaps at linebacker last season, he will more likely be a versatile roamer in Brian Flores’s defense, taking snaps as a safety, linebacker and even edge rusher.

Brian Kelly will officially join CBS Sports’ college football coverage. Kelly will be a member of the studio show “Inside College Football” on Tuesdays and call mainly Mountain West games. His booth debut will come August 29 in a week zero matchup between North Dakota State and Jacksonville State. Former ULM quarterback Doug Pederson will also call select games on CBS Sports Network this season.

A pair of former Tigers are headed to Australia’s NBL. Guard Skylar Mays signed with the Melbourne Phoenix on a one-year deal. After helping the Tigers to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, Mays played in over 100 NBA games with the Hawks, Trail Blazers and Lakers. Guard Max Mackinnon signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets. Mackinnon played NBA Summer League ball with the Hornets and now returns to his hometown team, where he was a developmental player in 2022.

Two-time Pro Bowl D-tackle Vita Vea requested a trade from the Buccaneers. Vea is entering the final season of a four-year deal, and talks on a possible extension had stalled. Tampa is also negotiating an extension with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who enters the final season of his contract.

The Saints report for training camp today and one of the storylines of camp will be contract extension talks between New Orleans and wide receiver Chris Olave. The former first-rounder is coming off an All-Pro season where he caught 100 passes. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA.com and he expects an extension will get done, but when is the question. Johnson says Olave is the Black and Gold’s best playmaker…

Cut 18 (13) “…he stays healthy”

At one time he was one of the best safeties in the NFL, now former LSU star Jamal Adams is a linebacker, at least that’s the position he played last season with the Raiders. Adams will play his tenth season in the NFL with the Vikings as Jamal confirmed the signing on “X.”

CBS Sports has announced they’ve hired former LSU coach Brian Kelly and former ULM quarterback Doug Pederson as college football analysts. Kelly will serve as a color analyst on select games. It was previously reported he would cover Mountain West games. Kelly will also be a studio analyst on “Inside College Football.” Pederson will call select games on CBS Sports Network.

The LSU men’s basketball schedule is out. The second Will Wade era will begin with the Tigers hosting LSU New Orleans on November 3^rd. LSU will also host Louisiana Tech, ULM, and the Ragin Cajuns. SEC play begins January second at home against South Carolina. Florida could be ranked number one in the preseason and the Gators will be at the PMAC in mid-February.

La Tech has redesigned its athletic website. Schedules, results and upcoming events are featured at the top of every page.

Texas Collegiate League Summer Baseball playoffs begin tonight, Lake Charles hosts Acadiana in a best out of three series.

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.”