Good morning, Tiger fans! As we gear up for the LSU football season opener against Clemson, we're down to just nine Saturdays left.
Today, we delve into some intriguing baseball news, continue our series on optimism and concern, and more. But first, let's talk about some unexpected developments in the baseball transfer portal.
LSU's freshman pitcher Marcos Paz has entered the transfer portal, a move that caught many by surprise. Paz, a standout recruit, made 17 appearances this past season, stepping up during the crucial SEC weekend series.
While his ERA of 9.20 and 27 walks might not turn heads, it's important to remember he's coming off Tommy John Surgery-a challenge many young pitchers face. Despite this, LSU is set to return key starters like Casan Evans, William Schmidt, Cooper Moore, and Reagan Ricken for the 2027 season.
Plus, Coach Jay Johnson has bolstered the roster with promising transfers Landon Hood and Diego Velazquez. Still, losing Paz is a hit, as he was expected to play a significant role moving forward.
He's now the seventh Tiger to enter the portal.
Switching gears to football recruiting, LSU missed out on a top in-state prospect, offensive lineman Albert Simien, who committed to Notre Dame. Simien, from Sam Houston High School, ranked No. 4 among Louisiana prospects, found Notre Dame's academic and cultural environment irresistible after multiple visits. While it's a loss for LSU, it's part of the recruiting game, and we wish Simien the best.
On a related note, sometimes missing out on a recruit isn't the worst outcome. LSU has seen this with quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who committed to Texas Tech but faced NCAA reinstatement issues over gambling.
Similarly, edge rusher Chaz Coleman, who transferred from Penn State to Tennessee, was dismissed by the Volunteers due to personal issues. LSU, instead, secured talents like Umanmielen and Leavitt, proving that sometimes things work out for the best.
Speaking of Sam Leavitt, he's the focus of today's Optimism and Concern series.
LSU FOOTBALL OPTIMISM & CONCERN
Optimism: Sam Leavitt is a standout talent in college football. His ability to make plays off-script is a perfect fit for Lane Kiffin's dynamic offense.
At Arizona State, he racked up an impressive 44 touchdowns against nine interceptions before a Lisfranc injury cut his season short. Kiffin praises Leavitt's intelligence, and assuming he recovers well, he could transform LSU's offense into a powerhouse.
His ability to extend plays and launch deep passes could make him a nightmare for defenses across the SEC.
Concern: However, there's a lingering uncertainty about Leavitt's health and the impact of missing spring drills. While he's been diligent in rehab and building rapport with his new teammates, the SEC is a different beast compared to other conferences. The question remains-can Leavitt overcome these challenges and become the star player LSU needs?
COUNTDOWN TO GAME DAYS: 70 DAYS
As we count down the 70 days until LSU's season kickoff, let's reminisce about a classic Tiger victory in 1970. LSU's 61-17 triumph over Ole Miss was a night to remember.
The game, one of the first night games televised in Tiger Stadium, saw LSU dismantle the Rebels for the SEC Title. Despite Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning's valiant effort with a broken wrist, LSU's relentless attack, highlighted by Tommy Casanova's punt returns and Ronnie Estay's safety, secured a historic win.
This victory led LSU to the Orange Bowl and their first SEC Title since 1961.
Finally, a hearty congratulations to the four former LSU athletes and coaches being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame tonight. Honorees include football center Todd McClure, women's basketball center Sylvia Fowles, men's basketball coach John Brady, and Warren Morris, known for the most iconic home run in LSU baseball history.
Their contributions have left a lasting legacy, and tonight's ceremony in Natchitoches, La., will be a fitting tribute to their achievements. Tune in at 7 p.m.
CT on LPB in Louisiana to celebrate these Tiger legends.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffin Just Gave LSU Fans A Recruiting Reason To Believe
Lane Kiffins early run on the recruiting trail is giving LSU a jolt of optimism, and the 2027 class is starting to look like more than a placeholder group. ESPNs Craig Haubert has the Tigers at No. 17 nationally, and the class already has the kind of headliners that can change the tone around a program, along with three running backs brought in with an eye toward strengthening the ground game.
The bigger picture for LSU is the mix of high school talent and transfer-portal momentum that Kiffin has used to build some early buzz. There is still a long way to go in this cycle, but the foundation is there, and the next steps will show whether this start becomes the kind of class that can help reshape the Tigers offense and overall roster balance. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Are Split On Who Deserves No. 7 And 18
The annual LSU jersey-number debate is back again, and it always comes with more weight than a simple equipment-room assignment. Around Baton Rouge, No. 7 and No. 18 carry real meaning, one tied to star power and the other to leadership, which is why fans tend to treat every possible choice like it says something about the season ahead.
This year, the conversation has naturally turned toward TreyDez Green and Whit Weeks, two players whose roles make them easy to place in that old LSU tradition. Green looks like the kind of emerging offensive force that can fuel the No. 7 chatter, while Weeks has the kind of presence and return-to-campus storyline that keeps him in the No. 18 conversation, even if nothing is officially settled yet. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Just Missed On A Four-Star Lineman It Really Wanted
LSUs push for one of the top offensive linemen in the 2027 class came up just short as a key Cincinnati prospect chose another ACC program after weighing a group of high-major finalists. The 6-foot-6 blocker from Archbishop Moeller had drawn plenty of attention as he moved toward his senior season, and his decision only sharpened the early recruiting race for tackles with elite upside.
The setback stings because the line is one of the spots LSU has to keep stockpiling, and this was a prospect the Tigers clearly spent real time on. Even so, the class picture remains strong for Brian Kellys staff, with LSU still sitting near the top nationally and in the SEC as the 2027 cycle starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]