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Tag: LSU

  • Hot coaching commodity Lane Kiffin has a tough decision 12 years after USC fired him

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    Twelve years ago, coach Lane Kiffin was humiliated, fired by USC athletic director Pat Haden on an airport tarmac at 3 a.m. moments after the Trojans had flown in from Phoenix after getting crushed by Arizona State, 62-41.

    OK, so maybe it wasn’t the tarmac, maybe that’s just Trojan lore, maybe the abrupt firing took place in a small room next to the runway.

    Either way, the memory has been burned in Kiffin’s heart and mind, helping motivate him to increased success on the field and seemingly heartfelt balance in his personal life.

    Now the tables have turned. Kiffin, 50, has led Ole Miss to a No. 5 national ranking and 10-1 record, the fourth year in the last five the Rebels have won at least 10 games. He seemingly shed the reputation for aloofness and me-first attitude that dogged him as a failed NFL head coach at age 32 and as an Alabama assistant let go by Nick Saban days before a national title game for focusing too much on his next job.

    Yet, here we are again, Kiffin apparently contemplating the unthinkable. Would he really abandon Ole Miss on the eve of the College Football Playoff for Florida or Louisiana State, fellow SEC schools and established national powers hunting for head coaches?

    A young fan shows his support for Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin during the second half of a game against Florida in Oxford, Miss., on Nov. 15, 2025.

    (Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press)

    Kiffin’s ex-wife Layla — they are on friendly terms — and 17-year-old son Knox recently were flown on private jets to Gainesville, Fla., and Baton Rouge, La., presumably to check out the livability and vibes of the potential next entry on Kiffin’s resume.

    Ole Miss is well aware of Kiffin’s impending decision and clearly want to know the answer ahead of the Rebels’ regular-season finale Nov. 28 against Mississippi State. Kiffin, however, denied rumors that Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter had given him an ultimatum to decide before then.

    “Yeah, that’s absolutely not true,” Kiffin told “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN on Tuesday. “There has been no ultimatum, anything like that at all. And so I don’t know where that came from, like a lot of stuff that comes out there. Like I said, man, we’re having a blast. I love it here.”

    In fairness to Kiffin, the urgency to decide now rather than at season’s end is a function of today’s college football recruiting calendar and transfer portal. The high school signing period begins Dec. 3 and the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.

    The first round of the CFP will be Dec. 19 and 20. The quarterfinals are on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Florida and LSU can’t wait that long to hire a coach.

    What should he do? Most seasoned pundits believe he should not budge.

    “Kiffin should stay and see the season out; attempt to win, try to reach the Final Four or beyond, make the memories, and forge the deep bonds that coaching is supposed to be about,” longtime columnist Dan Wetzel wrote for ESPN.

    Reasons to jump to LSU or Florida are that both schools are in talent-rich states with massive fan bases and deep tradition. The ceiling is higher and the stands fuller than in Oxford, Miss. Also, coaches at those established SEC powers tend to dig in for years. Who knows when a similar opportunity will present itself?

    Kiffin’s quandary is understandable. Old Miss administrators, however, vividly recall 2022 when Kiffin was courted by Auburn and allowed the issue to linger and sabotage a potentially great season. The Rebels were 8-1 when the rumors began and then lost four in a row.

    Nobody at Ole Miss wants another collapse because Kiffin — again — had a wandering eye. His decision is difficult, and won’t wait.

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    Steve Henson

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  • LSU Makes Final Decision on QB Garrett Nussmeier Before Arkansas Game

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    Hours before kickoff on Saturday, LSU announced a massive change under center: sophomore transfer Michael Van Buren Jr. will get his first start of the season against Arkansas, replacing senior Garrett Nussmeier, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

    Nussmeier was first listed as questionable after a string of restricted practice sessions due to an abdominal issue, before being downgraded on Friday night.

    Van Buren has appeared in three games this year, completing 66.7% of his passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, along with 24 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

    LSU has alternated looks in recent weeks, and with the season already off course, the staff appears willing to pivot.

    The move hands the Tigers’ offense to a young, dual-threat QB who has shown flashes in relief but not yet been tested as LSU’s full-time starter.

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    Read More: Nick Saban Sends Stern Warning to Notre Dame Ahead of Pittsburgh Showdown

    Since arriving in 2021, Nussmeier has completed 64% of his passes for 7,699 yards and 52 touchdowns across his career, including a breakout 2024 campaign in which he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns with a 142.7 passer rating.

    Through Week 12 of this season, however, he has just 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 67.4% completion rate — efficient overall but inconsistent in key moments.

    Van Buren transferred to LSU after starting eight games as a true freshman at Mississippi State in the 2024 college football season, when he threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs and added five rushing TDs.

    A polished four-star high-school recruit from St. Frances Academy, Van Buren shows added explosiveness outside of the pocket. He has also already logged two 300-yard outings in his college career, including a 309-yard effort versus Arkansas on Oct. 26, 2024, with two scores, two picks, and a 71% completion rate.

    Read More: LSU Urged to Make Garrett Nussmeier Decision After Alabama Loss

    Arkansas arrives in Baton Rouge with a 2-7 record but an offense capable of bursts; dropped 35 points on Ole Miss on Sept. 13, 31 points versus Tennessee on Oct. 11, and 42 points against Texas A&M on Oct. 18.

    The Razorbacks also have undergone coaching upheaval this season, and their defense has shown soft spots that a quicker, more improvisational quarterback could exploit.

    If Van Buren can protect the football and sustain drives, the Tigers could stabilize offensively and claw back momentum in a season most fans would prefer to put behind them.

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  • What to know about Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s intervention in LSU football

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    Gov. Jeff Landry is being applauded by some for taking a stand against bloated contracts in college sports and derided by others for political grandstanding that could make it harder for Louisiana State University to land a new football coach.This much is clear: The governor has been a vocal force in a sports shakeup that has consumed LSU recently.Video above: LSU interim coach Frank Wilson focused on ‘this moment’ in the wake of Brian Kelly’s firingThe university lost its football coach and athletic director last week amid criticism from Landry, a smooth-talking Cajun populist and staunch ally of President Donald Trump.The episode is just the latest example of Landry being hands on with LSU since taking office last year. He once revived the team’s tradition of bringing a live tiger onto the football field, publicly called for the school to discipline professors who criticized Trump in class and complained about LSU women’s basketball players not being on court to stand for the national anthem, though the team did not change its pre-game routine.Here’s what to know:What did Landry say?LSU football coach Brian Kelly was fired in the fourth season of a 10-year, $100 million deal, the day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 25.The day of Kelly’s firing, Landry said he hosted a meeting in the governor’s mansion on the evening of Oct. 26 “to discuss the legalities of the contract.” Landry has said he is concerned his state will be on the hook to pay for Kelly’s buyout, which is about $54 million.John Carmouche, chair of the LSU’s Board of Supervisors’ Athletic Committee, told the AP that the meeting at the governor’s mansion occurred after Kelly had already been fired by athletic director Scott Woodward.While the governor’s concerns are valid, negotiations with Kelly are ongoing and private donors and nonprofits have typically picked up the bill for sports-related buyouts at the university, Carmouche added.Days after Kelly’s firing, Landry told reporters at a Wednesday press conference that LSU’s athletic director would not be selecting the next football coach.“Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it,” said Landry. He also criticized Woodward’s prior tenure at Texas A&M, where he served as the school’s athletic director.The next day, LSU cut ties with Woodward.In a Thursday statement, Woodward said that “others can recap or opine on my tenure and on my decisions over the last six years as Director of Athletics, but I will not.”Board chairman Scott Ballard framed Woodward’s departure as the result of “a mutual agreement after conversations” between Woodward and the LSU board. Nine of 18 Board of Supervisors members have been appointed by Landry since taking office in January 2024 and the governor will be able to appoint four more in 2026.Carmouche, who, like Ballard, was appointed to the LSU board by Landry, denied that the governor’s remarks had any influence on Woodward’s departure.“We’re all independent people,” Carmouche said.What’s next for LSU footballIn a Friday press conference, LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry, flanked by Ballard and Carmouche, sought to reassure the public that the school’s athletic department “is not broken.”A search committee comprised of Ausberry, Carmouche, Ballard and several others is on the hunt for a new coach. The university board is scheduled to vote on a new president Tuesday, having been without one since June.Landry has denied that he will be picking the next coach, but said he wants the new contract to be structured differently than Kelly’s.“We’re going to put metrics on it, because I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill,” Landry told reporters.What others are saying“The Louisiana governor and the LSU board has damaged the reputation of our university,” political pundit James Carville, a Democrat, told the AP. Carville has said he plans to burn his LSU diploma and football gear and is mulling a defamation lawsuit against Landry on Woodward’s behalf.Carville hosted a welcome party for Woodward, a former political consultant and lobbyist, when he was hired by LSU in 2019. Under Woodward, LSU won six national championships in various sports, including football.Former Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Richard Lipsey, who founded the influential Tiger Athletic Foundation and recommended Woodward’s hiring, said that Landry’s comments about Woodward revealed that he “wanted more control over LSU” and “wants to run the athletics department.”Landry’s office did not respond to a request for comment.Ed Orgeron, the former LSU football coach who led the team to a national title in 2019, said that it’s not unusual for a Louisiana governor to take an active interest in the university’s football program. Landry’s predecessor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, hosted dinners for the university’s freshmen recruiting class and showed up at practice to throw passes with LSU receivers.Current Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell, a Landry appointee, said that the governor’s comments sparked constructive public discussion about the need for greater guardrails to protect public universities amid ballooning costs in college sports: “He said what a lot of people were thinking.”Rep. Dixon Wallace McMakin, an LSU graduate who serves as the football team’s announcer, said that Louisiana governors have regularly sought to influence the Tigers dating back a century to the days of firebrand populist Huey Long and are sensitive to poor performance on the gridiron.“It affects everybody and a governor feels it from all of his voters around the state,” said McMakin, a Republican. “Our standard is excellence, and anything less than excellence we will not stand for in the state of Louisiana.”Wilbert Pryor, who has served on the Louisiana Board of Regents for nearly a decade, said Landry’s perceived influence over the LSU athletics program would complicate the hiring process for a new coach reluctant to have the governor looking over his shoulder.“I don’t remember any governor in my lifetime making decisions on college football,” Pryor said. “You’d think he would have other things to garner his attention.”

    BATON ROUGE, La. —

    Gov. Jeff Landry is being applauded by some for taking a stand against bloated contracts in college sports and derided by others for political grandstanding that could make it harder for Louisiana State University to land a new football coach.

    This much is clear: The governor has been a vocal force in a sports shakeup that has consumed LSU recently.

    Video above: LSU interim coach Frank Wilson focused on ‘this moment’ in the wake of Brian Kelly’s firing

    The university lost its football coach and athletic director last week amid criticism from Landry, a smooth-talking Cajun populist and staunch ally of President Donald Trump.

    The episode is just the latest example of Landry being hands on with LSU since taking office last year. He once revived the team’s tradition of bringing a live tiger onto the football field, publicly called for the school to discipline professors who criticized Trump in class and complained about LSU women’s basketball players not being on court to stand for the national anthem, though the team did not change its pre-game routine.

    Here’s what to know:

    What did Landry say?

    LSU football coach Brian Kelly was fired in the fourth season of a 10-year, $100 million deal, the day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 25.

    The day of Kelly’s firing, Landry said he hosted a meeting in the governor’s mansion on the evening of Oct. 26 “to discuss the legalities of the contract.” Landry has said he is concerned his state will be on the hook to pay for Kelly’s buyout, which is about $54 million.

    John Carmouche, chair of the LSU’s Board of Supervisors’ Athletic Committee, told the AP that the meeting at the governor’s mansion occurred after Kelly had already been fired by athletic director Scott Woodward.

    While the governor’s concerns are valid, negotiations with Kelly are ongoing and private donors and nonprofits have typically picked up the bill for sports-related buyouts at the university, Carmouche added.

    Days after Kelly’s firing, Landry told reporters at a Wednesday press conference that LSU’s athletic director would not be selecting the next football coach.

    Gerald Herbert

    LSU running back Harlem Berry (22) celebrates his touchdown against Texas A&M in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.

    “Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it,” said Landry. He also criticized Woodward’s prior tenure at Texas A&M, where he served as the school’s athletic director.

    The next day, LSU cut ties with Woodward.

    In a Thursday statement, Woodward said that “others can recap or opine on my tenure and on my decisions over the last six years as Director of Athletics, but I will not.”

    Board chairman Scott Ballard framed Woodward’s departure as the result of “a mutual agreement after conversations” between Woodward and the LSU board. Nine of 18 Board of Supervisors members have been appointed by Landry since taking office in January 2024 and the governor will be able to appoint four more in 2026.

    Carmouche, who, like Ballard, was appointed to the LSU board by Landry, denied that the governor’s remarks had any influence on Woodward’s departure.

    “We’re all independent people,” Carmouche said.

    What’s next for LSU football

    In a Friday press conference, LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry, flanked by Ballard and Carmouche, sought to reassure the public that the school’s athletic department “is not broken.”

    A search committee comprised of Ausberry, Carmouche, Ballard and several others is on the hunt for a new coach. The university board is scheduled to vote on a new president Tuesday, having been without one since June.

    Landry has denied that he will be picking the next coach, but said he wants the new contract to be structured differently than Kelly’s.

    “We’re going to put metrics on it, because I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill,” Landry told reporters.

    What others are saying

    “The Louisiana governor and the LSU board has damaged the reputation of our university,” political pundit James Carville, a Democrat, told the AP. Carville has said he plans to burn his LSU diploma and football gear and is mulling a defamation lawsuit against Landry on Woodward’s behalf.

    Carville hosted a welcome party for Woodward, a former political consultant and lobbyist, when he was hired by LSU in 2019. Under Woodward, LSU won six national championships in various sports, including football.

    Former Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Richard Lipsey, who founded the influential Tiger Athletic Foundation and recommended Woodward’s hiring, said that Landry’s comments about Woodward revealed that he “wanted more control over LSU” and “wants to run the athletics department.”

    Landry’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

    Ed Orgeron, the former LSU football coach who led the team to a national title in 2019, said that it’s not unusual for a Louisiana governor to take an active interest in the university’s football program. Landry’s predecessor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, hosted dinners for the university’s freshmen recruiting class and showed up at practice to throw passes with LSU receivers.

    Current Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell, a Landry appointee, said that the governor’s comments sparked constructive public discussion about the need for greater guardrails to protect public universities amid ballooning costs in college sports: “He said what a lot of people were thinking.”

    Rep. Dixon Wallace McMakin, an LSU graduate who serves as the football team’s announcer, said that Louisiana governors have regularly sought to influence the Tigers dating back a century to the days of firebrand populist Huey Long and are sensitive to poor performance on the gridiron.

    “It affects everybody and a governor feels it from all of his voters around the state,” said McMakin, a Republican. “Our standard is excellence, and anything less than excellence we will not stand for in the state of Louisiana.”

    Wilbert Pryor, who has served on the Louisiana Board of Regents for nearly a decade, said Landry’s perceived influence over the LSU athletics program would complicate the hiring process for a new coach reluctant to have the governor looking over his shoulder.

    “I don’t remember any governor in my lifetime making decisions on college football,” Pryor said. “You’d think he would have other things to garner his attention.”

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  • Will Kelvin Sheppard Leave the Detroit Lions for LSU?

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    The Detroit Lions are flying high at 5-2, and one of the biggest reasons for their early-season success is defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. But with LSU suddenly in the market for a new head coach, it’s fair to wonder, could Sheppard’s time in Detroit be coming to an end sooner than anyone thought?

    A Meteoric Rise in Detroit

    When Sheppard took over as defensive coordinator this offseason, some questioned whether he was ready to step into such a high-profile role. He had been groomed under Dan Campbell since 2021, moving up the coaching ranks after his stint leading the Lions’ linebackers.

    Those doubts? They’ve been erased.

    Through seven games, Detroit’s defense ranks No. 11 in the NFL in points allowed (21.6 per game) and No. 8 in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (300.0), despite missing key pieces like Alim McNeill, D.J. Reed, and Terrion Arnold for stretches.

    The results speak for themselves. The Lions defense has kept opposing offenses off-balance, tightened up in the red zone, and shown a level of physicality and discipline that reflects Sheppard’s fiery, no-nonsense coaching style.

    A Familiar Call from Baton Rouge

    Now, that success might have LSU calling.

    Following their 49–25 loss to Texas A&M, the Tigers fired head coach Brian Kelly, opening one of the most prestigious jobs in all of college football.

    Sheppard starred for LSU from 2007 to 2010, racking up 311 tackles (26 tackles for loss) and helping the program maintain its national prominence. He even returned to Baton Rouge briefly after his NFL career as LSU’s director of player development before joining the Lions coaching staff.

    NFL or LSU: What’s the Better Path?

    That’s the million-dollar question.

    On one hand, Sheppard’s stock in the NFL is rising fast. His leadership, defensive vision, and connection with players have already put him in early head coaching conversations at the pro level. Staying in Detroit, especially under a mentor like Dan Campbell, could prepare him for that next big step.

    On the other hand, LSU is… LSU. The program prints money, recruits itself, and plays on the biggest stage in college football. After paying Brian Kelly $54 million in buyout money not to coach (Note: there is a report swirling that they may have settled on $20 million), you can bet they’ll be ready to open their wallet for whoever comes next.

    And unlike the NFL, college programs offer total control, recruiting, culture, staff, and long-term identity. That kind of power and payday could be tempting, even for a coach who bleeds blue and silver right now.

    Kelvin Sheppard Terrion Arnold Kelvin Sheppard Lions

    Timing May Be the Biggest Hurdle

    Even if LSU does make the call, and they likely will, the timing isn’t ideal. The Lions are in the middle of a playoff push, and Sheppard’s focus is clearly locked in on Detroit’s Super Bowl aspirations.

    NFL coordinators rarely interview for college jobs during the season, and Sheppard would almost certainly defer any talks until January. But once the offseason hits, his phone is going to ring. Loudly.

    The Bottom Line

    Let’s be clear, Kelvin Sheppard isn’t chasing headlines or job offers right now. He’s helping lead one of the NFL’s most complete teams and learning under one of the league’s most respected head coaches. But when LSU calls, and they will, it’s going to be hard to ignore the pull of home.

    If he stays, Detroit fans can rest easy knowing their defense will continue to thrive under one of the NFL’s brightest young minds. If he leaves, LSU would be getting one of the best culture-builders in football, period.

    Either way, Sheppard’s future looks every bit as bright as the team he’s helped turn into a contender.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin addresses Florida, LSU rumors

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    Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC) defeated No. 13 Oklahoma 34-26 on Saturday — a resume-boosting road win that pushed the Rebels up to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 rankings.

    Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards and one touchdown, adding another 53 rushing yards, while running back Kewan Lacy added two rushing scores in a balanced performance the team desperately needed after the previous week’s loss to Georgia.

    More concretely, however, the big-time college football win triggered a new wave of rumors surrounding head coach Lane Kiffin’s future in Oxford, which Kiffin addressed on Monday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.”

    When McAfee asked how he deals with handling these types of rumors with the team, Kiffin had an interesting answer.

    “Yeah, I usually don’t talk about it with the team,” he said. “We’ve dealt with this for a number of years because our players have performed really well and won a lot of games here. And so this attention has come with that.

    “I just told them, ‘Hey, this is a product of how you guys play; they see the way that you play.’ So then, fans are like, ‘We want that system.’ But really, it’s the system of the players and the assistant coaches, and what a good job they do. So I just told them that’s a compliment to them,” Kiffin added. “And I think it’s easier for them nowadays because basically the same thing happens to them. Our freshman receiver has a good game, and by Saturday night, he’s got three calls from places telling him, ‘Hey, come here, we’ll give you more money’… So I don’t think it’s that big a deal to them.”

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    Read More: David Pollack Has Clear Message for Lane Kiffin After Brian Kelly’s LSU Firing

    Florida dismissed Billy Napier on Oct. 19 and LSU removed Brian Kelly on Sunday — two marquee SEC openings that immediately put established, over-performing coaches in the spotlight.

    Kiffin’s name has consistently surfaced in such searches and is again near the top of many wish lists, partly because Ole Miss has become one of the conference’s most explosive offenses under his tenure in recent seasons.

    Read More: David Pollack Gets Honest About Arch Manning, Texas After Mississippi State Win

    Kiffin’s seventh win on Saturday activated a contractual extension reportedly worth roughly $9 million per year (about $7.2M guaranteed), keeping him under contract through the 2031 calendar year unless Ole Miss negotiates a buyout or a new deal — a practical barrier for any suitor.

    While rumors continue to swirl, the fiscal realities of midseason hires, big buyouts (LSU and Penn State departures illustrate that), and the approaching early signing period all complicate any rapid move.

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  • LSU Fires Brian Kelly After Back-to-Back SEC Losses

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    According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the LSU Tigers have fired head coach Brian Kelly following a disappointing start to the 2025 season.

    The decision comes on the heels of Saturday’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, which dropped LSU to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in SEC play. It marks a stunning fall for Kelly, who was expected to have LSU competing for an SEC title in his fourth season at the helm.

    Kelly, who arrived in Baton Rouge ahead of the 2022 season after a long and successful tenure at Notre Dame, finishes his LSU run with a 48-34 overall record (including postseason play) and two bowl victories. However, despite flashes of success, including a 10-win campaign in 2022, the Tigers struggled to maintain consistency against top-tier opponents in the SEC.

    The loss to Texas A&M appeared to be the final straw for the administration, as LSU’s defense once again faltered and the Tigers failed to generate much offensive rhythm after halftime.

    The school is expected to name an interim head coach in the coming days while the athletic department begins its search for Kelly’s successor.

    LSU fans, who entered the season with College Football Playoff aspirations, are now left wondering what’s next for a program that has struggled to find stability since its 2019 national championship run.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels featured in new Prime docuseries ‘The Money Game’ about NIL – WTOP News

    Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels featured in new Prime docuseries ‘The Money Game’ about NIL – WTOP News

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    Jayden Daniels may have lost his rookie season opener with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but he’s starring in a brand-new documentary on a revolution in college sports.

    WTOP’s Jason Fraley reviews the Prime docuseries ‘The Money Game’ (Part 1)

    Jayden Daniels may have lost his rookie season opener with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but he’s starring in a brand-new documentary on a revolution in college sports.

    The six-episode docuseries “The Money Game” premieres Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video, chronicling the aftermath of a 2021 Supreme Court decision that allowed college athletes to make money off their “Name, Image and Likeness” (NIL), a financial barrier long held by the NCAA for its student athletes.

    The series is told through the lens of one specific school, Louisiana State University, which saw numerous athletes sign groundbreaking NIL deals with a big impact on the economy of not only Baton Rouge, but on college sports nationwide. These include product endorsements, television commercials and even video games (archival footage shows former UCLA hoops star Ed O’Bannon playing himself in an NCAA video game with zero compensation).

    Episode 1 is fitting titled “The Wild West” for such uncharted territory. The opening credits introduce our five main characters with nifty graphics showing their number of Instagram followers: gymnast Olivia Dunne (15.6 million), football star Jayden Daniels (300,000), women’s basketball stars Angel Reese (7.9 million) and Flau’jae Johnson (3.4 million), track star Alia Armstrong (53,200) and men’s basketball star Trace Young (360,500).

    Ironically, Daniels appears to have the most apathetic approach to social media and NIL deals, knowing that his true earning potential will come by turning pro. Episode 1 shows Daniels’ breakout victory over Alabama in 2022 before his electrifying 2023 season got him drafted at No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft. Episode 1 wraps with Daniels injured with a concussion, an effective cliffhanger even if we already know he bounces back to win the Heisman.

    While football carries 90% of the LSU Athletic Department’s annual budget of $199 million, the smaller sports have to scrap for more exposure by churning out social media content to ink NIL deals. Young comes across cocky on and off the basketball court as he approaches WWE scouts at a convention, while Armstrong is a lovable track-and-field underdog, dutifully meeting with school NIL liaisons, then giving the glory to God with each hurdle.

    Still, no one is more successful at this new “money game” than gymnast Dunne, who has quickly built her name, image and likeness into a global brand worth millions. The filmmakers show her at home playfully making TikTok videos with her sister, who is also her biggest fan screaming her head off in the stands. After filming wrapped, Dunne has since led her squad to became the first LSU gymnastics team to win the national championship.

    Last but not least, you can be damn sure the docuseries chronicles the LSU women’s basketball program, namely Reese and Johnson. LSU alum and the docuseries’ co-producer Shaquille O’Neal said, “When I purchased Reebok, the first person I called was Angel.” We even see flashbacks of O’Neal breaking backboards and branding his “Shaq” character, intercut with him now cheering on the sidelines during games and DJing at college parties.

    More than Daniels on the gridiron, the main character (or even “antihero”) so far is Reese, who transferred from the University of Maryland to LSU. Episode 2 is titled “The Price Just Went Up,” a phrase declared by Reese and Johnson after winning the 2023 national championship, while Episode 3 is titled “You Can’t See Me,” referring to the John Cena hand gesture Reese made to Caitlin Clark, who did it first, sparking discussion over claims of a double standard.

    That’s where I left off — with three episodes to go. I can’t wait to watch Episode 4, 5 and 6. All I can tell you is that Episode 3 ends with another cliffhanger as controversial LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey benches Reese and refuses to explain why during press conferences. One analyst quips, “NIL has divided the locker room” as Twitter/X posts wildly speculate about a rift. Reese replied, “Don’t believe everything you read.” Cut to black.

    NOTE: I found the subject matter personally amusing since I visited LSU to watch my cousin Jake Fraley play baseball for the Tigers before being drafted into the MLB. This was back when NIL wasn’t yet a possibility for players like Jake, who is now on the Cincinnati Reds. I’d be curious to get his take on this at the next Fraley family reunion.

    WTOP’s Jason Fraley reviews the Prime docuseries ‘The Money Game’ (Part 2)

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    Jason Fraley

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  • UNC baseball outlasts LSU, advances to NCAA Tournament Chapel Hill Regional final

    UNC baseball outlasts LSU, advances to NCAA Tournament Chapel Hill Regional final

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    Chapel Hill

    Vance Honeycutt blasted two home runs into left field as the North Carolina Tar Heels beat LSU, the defending national champion, 6-2 on Saturday night in Game 2 of regional play in the NCAA Tournament in front of an announced crowd of 3,919 at a packed Boshamer Stadium.

    The victory puts the fourth-seeded Tar Heels (44-13) one win away from advancing to — and hosting — Super Regionals. UNC is seeking what would be its 13th regional title.

    North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) celebrates with teammates Colby Wilkerson (3) and Alex Madera (1) after connecting for a 3 RBI home run in the fifth inning to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead against LSU during the NCAA Regional on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
    North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) celebrates with teammates Colby Wilkerson (3) and Alex Madera (1) after connecting for a 3 RBI home run in the fifth inning to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead against LSU during the NCAA Regional on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

    “We don’t have anything to celebrate yet, but that was a good ballgame between two powerhouse baseball programs,” UNC head coach Scott Forbes said. “We’ll take that win and move on and get ready for tomorrow night.”

    This matchup marked the first time since the 2013 College World Series that LSU and UNC had met on the diamond. The Tigers will now face Wofford — which beat LIU earlier Saturday — in a win-or-go-home game on Sunday for a chance to play UNC a second time.

    For a while, this clash between the Tigers and the Tar Heels was shaping up to be a real pitcher’s duel, as the contest was scoreless through four innings.

    After notching just two hits and striking out seven times in the first four frames against LSU’s Luke Holman, Carolina’s bats finally came alive in the fifth. Alex Madera got on base with a bunt down the third base line, Colby Wilkerson then slapped a standup double into right field, and then Honeycutt brought both in by drilling a 413-foot homer into the trees beyond the left field fence.

    North Carolina bull pen celebrates as North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) runs past after he hit a three run home run during the fifth inning of North Carolina’s 6-2 victory against LSU in the NCAA Regional at Boshamer on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
    North Carolina bull pen celebrates as North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) runs past after he hit a three run home run during the fifth inning of North Carolina’s 6-2 victory against LSU in the NCAA Regional at Boshamer on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Heather Diehl hdiehl@newsobserver.com

    Honeycutt followed that up by hitting another home run — this one, a solo shot that sailed 428 feet over the left field wall — in the bottom of the seventh.

    “(Holman) got me the first two times. I just went up there and committed to the fastball and got one,” Honeycutt said of his first homer. “I was probably pressing a little bit. Just a reminder right then to just kind of soak it in and go have fun.”

    Honeycutt’s pair of home runs — which had exit velocities of 111 and 107 mph, respectively — made him the sixth player in ACC history to hit at least 60 home runs in a career. Honeycutt now has 61, trailing the record-holder, former Wake Forest slugger Brock Wilken, by 10.

    “That was a no-doubter, for sure,” Forbes said of Honeycutt’s first home run. Of the second, he described it as: “Boom. Just a bazooka over the net.”

    North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) connects for a home run in the seventh inning to give the Tar Heels a 4-2 lead against LSU during the NCAA Regional on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
    North Carolina’s Vance Honeycutt (7) connects for a home run in the seventh inning to give the Tar Heels a 4-2 lead against LSU during the NCAA Regional on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

    Before the first home run, Honeycutt had been 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in regional play. It was Honeycutt’s seventh multi-homer game for his career, tying the program record set by Chris Maples from 1999 to 2002.

    “It’s incredible how hard he hits the ball and how far it goes,” UNC pitcher Shea Sprague said of Honeycutt. “It’s a lot of fun to watch him. I’m glad he’s in our lineup and I don’t have to pitch against him.”

    Sprague, a left-handed junior, got the start on the mound for UNC and pitched admirably for 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and no runs while fanning three LSU hitters. Senior righthander Ben Peterson relieved him midway through the fifth inning after Sprague allowed runners on second and first base. Peterson got out of the inning quickly, getting former N.C. State slugger Tommy White – who transferred to LSU in 2022 – to hit into a 5-4-3 double-play on the first pitch he threw.

    Peterson got into a bit of trouble in the top of the seventh, loading the bases and then walking in a run. Left-handed sophomore Dalton Pence relieved him and walked in another run before getting the next LSU batter, Hayden Travinski, to hit into a 6-4-3 double-play by throwing some well-targeted off-speed pitches.

    “Credit Pence. He made three really good pitches in a row to Travinski,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “He made three really difficult pitches to do anything with, other than to hit a ground ball. He pitched himself out of that.”

    The Tar Heels added two insurance runs in the eighth when Gavin Gallaher singled to left to score Jackson Van De Brake, and Madera hit into a fielder’s choice to score Anthony Donofrio. Pence closed the game out, striking out one to notch a save in a hitless top of the ninth inning.

    UNC will face the winner of the Wofford-LSU matchup Sunday at 6 p.m.

    This story was originally published June 1, 2024, 9:42 PM.

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    Mitchell Northam

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  • VIDEO: Jayden Daniels speaks to media after getting drafted by Commanders

    VIDEO: Jayden Daniels speaks to media after getting drafted by Commanders

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    DETROIT — LSU quarterback and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the number two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was the highest selection Washington made at the quarterback position since Robert Griffin III was picked with the second pick in 2012.

    Washington also considered quarterbacks Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy during their pre-draft process.

    “It just starts with I’m just coming in to compete,” Daniels said. “I’m coming in and trying to play my role whatever that is. I just want to be the best teammate, help the team win and we can bring back some victories to Washington and we can have some fun.”

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    Itoro N. Umontuen

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  • Caitlin Clark, Iowa Hawkeyes advance to Final Four along with Paige Bueckers and UConn Huskies

    Caitlin Clark, Iowa Hawkeyes advance to Final Four along with Paige Bueckers and UConn Huskies

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    Caitlin Clark puts up 41 points as Iowa sends LSU packing

    It was a master-class by Caitlin Clark, as Iowa got off to a hot start. LSU would make it interesting before halftime, but the Hawkeyes would re-assert their lead in the third quarter and hold it for the win, 94-87. Clark flirted with a triple-double, adding 7 rebounds and 12 assists to her unreal 41 points, including nine 3-pointers. And she did it with an ease, shooting deep 3s from near the logo.

    That’s not to say that LSU’s Angel Reese wasn’t impressive, with 17 points of her own and a whopping 20 rebounds. Reese also fouled out with less than two minutes on the clock, watching the rest of the game from the bench.

    Iowa will face UConn in the Final Four.

    No. 3 UConn sends No. 1 Southern Cal home, heads to Final Four

    What we won’t see in the Final Four? Caitlin Clark against Southern Cal’s up-and-coming freshman JuJu Watkins. The Huskies sent the Trojans packing, 80-73. Instead, Paige Bueckers will be the star on the court opposite Clark. Bueckers had 28 points in the Huskies win, while Watkins scored 29 for the Trojans.

    The Huskies will be returning to the Final Four after missing it in the 2023 season, while Bueckers recovered from an ACL injury. UConn is on a miraculous run this season, with six total players ruled out heading into the tournament.

    The question now – are the shorthanded Huskies, led by Paige Bueckers, enough to stop Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes?

    Also in the women’s Final Four: undefeated No. 1 South Carolina will face No. 3 NC State.

    Those games will tip off on Friday in Cleveland. The men’s Final Four will take place on Saturday in Phoenix, followed by the women’s national championship on Sunday, and the men’s on Monday.

    Read the last edition of The Scorecard here.

    Related stories from Raleigh News & Observer

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    Trisha Garcia-Easto

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  • Former LSU WR Kayshon Bouttee Arrested On Illegal Gambling Charges, Allegedly Wagered $130K From Fraudulent Accounts While Playing For LSU

    Former LSU WR Kayshon Bouttee Arrested On Illegal Gambling Charges, Allegedly Wagered $130K From Fraudulent Accounts While Playing For LSU

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    Kayshon Boutte – Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty

    Former LSU WR Kayshon Bouttee was arrested for illegal online sports betting charges alleging he used fraudulent accounts to gamble on his games.

    Kayshon Boutte is currently a wide receiver for the New England Patriots yet his college days are coming back to haunt him. With Name, Image, and Likeness deals finally happening in college sports you have to try pretty hard to get in trouble for making money as a college athlete.

    According to On3, Kayshon did so in the most ridiculous yet impressive way humanly possible.

    On January 25 Boutee turned himself in to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on felony computer fraud charges related to online sports betting. In addition to felony charges, he received a misdemeanor charge of “gaming prohibited for persons under 21”.

    Allegedly the former LSU standout created a fraudulent betting account and placed almost 9,000 bets. Perhaps the most impressive part is he only deposited a total of $132,147.53 but his total earned was $556,267.58. Allegedly his withdrawals only totaled around $50k during his illegal gambling from April 2022 until May 2023.

    Kayshon Boutte allegedly placed bets on LSU football games and his stat lines as well. Even if you don’t know the rules on sports betting you probably understand how betting on yourself is illegal without any explanation.

    LSU issued a statement when Kayshon’s arrest warrant was issued.

    “In July 2023, LSU was made aware of allegations regarding a former student-athlete’s improper conduct related to sports gambling while enrolled at the University,” the statement read. “Since then, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so. We have no evidence that any other student-athletes participated in these prohibited activities, and we are grateful for measures that detect and discourage sports gambling related misconduct.”

    Given the serious nature of his offenses, the most shocking part of the whole ordeal was his username on the fraudulent accounts. His usernames allegedly included portions of his government name according to The Athletic

    This is the most interesting illegal sports betting case in college football history. The outcome will be interesting and worth keeping an eye on.

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    Noah Williams

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  • SZN Opener: LSU Guard Aneesah Morrow Talks Leaving DePaul, Learning from Injuries, & More

    SZN Opener: LSU Guard Aneesah Morrow Talks Leaving DePaul, Learning from Injuries, & More

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    SZN Opener is back with new episodes dropping every week. On Season 2 of this dynamic podcast series, host and noted sports analyst Monica McNutt showcases Black college athletes and explores their triumphs, challenges and aspirations along their sports journeys.

    Source: Ethan Miller / Getty

    In Episode 2, LSU’s Aneesah Morrow joins SZN Opener for an in-depth conversation about her journey as a rising star in women’s basketball and her decision to transfer after two seasons at DePaul.

    From DePaul To LSU

    The Chicago native excelled on the court at DePaul University, racking up numerous accolades as one of the top players in the country including ESPN Top Freshman in the Country, BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and DePaul women’s basketball MVP.

    The All-America forward transferred to Louisiana State University this year, arriving at Baton Rouge to much acclaim with 53 double-doubles in 66 career games. Morrow is “a standout at LSU as the Tigers are looking to defend their national championship from last year,” McNutt says.

    Morrow has a clear vision of what she wants to accomplish at LSU.

    “I knew that going to a different school would allow me to develop my game in different aspects,” she says. “I was going to be challenged at the highest level possible. I knew that I would have to come in everyday and compete for my spot, but also perform on the floor.”

    So far this season, Morrow has established herself as a key player on the LSU Tigers alongside teammate Angel Reese. NOLA.com called Morrow “a versatile wing who might be the most well-rounded player on arguably the most talented team in the country.”

    Versatility is her goal.

    “I came here to expand my game. I’ve been working on becoming a better defender because I have to be quicker to guard out on the perimeter,” she says. “I want to be able to defend every position on the floor. Which also makes me a bigger threat. It shows my versatility and allows me to stay on the floor longer.”

    “That was my biggest goal coming in here, trying to be one of the most improved players that I possibly can be,” she adds.

    Injuries Gave Her A New Perspective

    She may be a powerhouse on the court, but there’s more to Aneesah Morrow than basketball.

    Morrow developed a resilience to the challenges she’s had to endure as an athlete, including three knee surgeries. Her injuries forced her to discover interests outside of basketball. “Being injured and having to sit down so much, I had to figure out other things that made me happy,” she says.

    Despite being a top player, Morrow is determined to enjoy other aspects of her life as well.

    “People see what I do on the basketball court, but there is so much more to me than just basketball,” says the LSU guard. “Being an athlete, we have to learn that about ourselves, because sometimes we let basketball define so much of our individuality and we never really get to express ourselves.”

    Coming from a family of decorated athletes, she credits her parents and siblings with helping her through the tough times with their unwavering support. “A lot of things that I’ve accomplished have been because of the competitive nature that’s ingrained in me through the Morrow family,” she says.

    Aspiring For The WNBA

    Morrow aspires to play in the WNBA after college. It’s what motivates her to keep striving for greatness. “My goal has always been to play in the W,” she says. “Even through all the adversity, I’ve always tried to focus on the bigger picture. ”

    Catch the full conversation with Aneesah Morrow above. Listen to Episode 2 of SZN Opener Season 2 on the Urban One podcasts platform or your favorite streaming app.

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    Victoria Kim

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  • LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy

    LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy

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    LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is a Heisman winner.

    The senior quarterback won the award over Oregon QB Bo Nix, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. after a phenomenal dual-threat season. Daniels was one of the nation’s leading passers in nearly all the major metrics and also one of only two quarterbacks to rush for over 1,000 yards during 2023.

    Daniels finished with 503 first-place votes while Penix finished with 292 first-place votes. The total margin between the two quarterbacks, 2,029 points to 1,701 points, was the closest Heisman voting has finished since 2018.

    Daniels finished the regular season 236-of-327 passing for 3,812 yards and 40 TDs. He threw just four interceptions and completed over 70% of his passes. Just six players — including Nix at 77.2% — completed a higher percentage of their passes.

    But Daniels had everyone easily beat in yards per attempt. He was by far the nation’s leader in that category as the LSU offense averaged 11.7 yards every time he threw the football. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, the player in second in yards per attempt, averaged 1.3 yards fewer per throw.

    Daniels also tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with Nix despite playing one fewer game. Nix played in 13 games in 2023 as Oregon went to the Pac-12 title game. But Penix and the Huskies beat the Ducks to get to the College Football Playoff. It was a game that likely sealed Daniels’ status as the Heisman winner as Nix fell below the all-time single-season record for completion percentage (Mac Jones’ 77.4% in 2020).

    In addition to being a threat with LSU receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to break a big play from nearly anywhere on the field through the air, he was also a big play waiting to happen on the ground.

    Daniels rushed 135 times for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns over 12 games. He averaged the most yards per carry of any qualified player in college football at 8.4 and was over a full yard ahead of Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright in second place.

    It’s a remarkable rushing total and rushing average for a quarterback who dropped back to pass as much as Daniels did. College football statistics count sacks against a quarterback’s rushing totals and Daniels was sacked 22 times. Penix, for example, has rushed for minus-18 yards this season.

    Daniels had five games with at least one run longer than 40 yards and his signature performance came in a 52-35 win over Florida on Nov. 11. Daniels was 17-of-26 passing for 372 yards and three touchdowns through the air while rushing 12 times for 234 yards and two scores. Daniels broke touchdown runs of 85 yards and 51 yards during that game and then threw three touchdowns in the final 18 minutes as the Tigers pulled away from the Gators.

    It was the first time in top-level college football history that a player had thrown for over 350 yards and rushed for over 200 yards in the same game.

    He also powered the Tigers’ comeback win at No. 9 Missouri on Oct. 7. After briefly leaving the game early in the fourth quarter following a crushing hit at the goal line, Daniels returned to engineer two go-ahead touchdown drives on LSU’s next two possessions.

    He broke a 35-yard TD run on third down to give the Tigers a 35-32 lead over Mizzou with less than eight minutes to go, and then accounted for all 75 yards on LSU’s next drive as the Tigers went up for good with less than three minutes to go.

    That drive also included a monster third-down run. Daniel broke a 31-yard run on third down to get to the Missouri 29 yard-line and a play later hit Nabers for a 29-yard score that put LSU up 42-39.

    A three-loss Heisman winner

    Players on teams with more than two losses don’t win the Heisman very often. Especially in recent seasons. Last year, USC was 11-2 when Caleb Williams lifted the award. The year before that, Alabama was 12-1 when Bryce Young won and undefeated when DeVonta Smith won in 2020.

    Williams, in fact, became just the second player to win the Heisman in the playoff era as part of a team that wasn’t in the four-team playoff. As Daniels joins that group, he’s the first player since Lamar Jackson in 2016 to be a part of a team that had three losses before the Heisman ceremony.

    Like Daniels, Jackson was a dynamic passer and rusher and his season-long performance was too good to ignore. Jackson threw for over 3,500 yards and rushed for nearly 1,600 that season as he accounted for 51 touchdowns.

    Overall, Daniels is just the 15th player on a team with three or more losses to win the Heisman and the fourth in the 2000s along with Jackson, Baylor’s Robert Griffin III in 2011 and Florida’s Tim Tebow in 2007.

    A Heisman transfer trend

    Daniels is also the fifth player in the past seven seasons to win the Heisman at his second school, a sign of the normalization of player transfers. Nix and Penix are also transfers in their second seasons at their new schools. Nix transferred to Oregon from Auburn while Penix transferred to Washington from Indiana.

    Williams won in his first season at USC after transferring from Oklahoma, while LSU QB Joe Burrow won in his first season at LSU in 2019 after joining the Tigers from Ohio State. Before Burrow, Kyler Murray won in his second season at Oklahoma after transferring from Texas A&M, and Baker Mayfield was in his third season at Oklahoma after he started his college career at Texas Tech.

    Daniels came to LSU before the 2022 season after the school hired Brian Kelly from Notre Dame. Daniels spent the first three seasons of his career at Arizona State and appeared in all but one game for the Sun Devils in that span.

    He transferred from Arizona State after he threw for 2,381 yards and rushed for 710 yards in 2021 but accounted for only 16 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

    He immediately became a star and improved on those numbers at LSU in 2022 as the Tigers won the SEC West. Daniels completed 69% of his passes in 2021 and threw for 2,913 yards while rushing for 885. He entered the season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman, based on his leap from 2021 to 2022, but hardly anyone could have predicted the eye-popping statistics he accumulated.

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    Nick Bromberg, Yahoo Sports

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  • Listen to the LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Matchup on November 4

    Listen to the LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Matchup on November 4

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    The 14 LSU Tigers are headed to Tuscaloosa, AL, to take on the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide on November 4 at 7:45pm ET.

    You can listen to every snap live from Bryant-Denny Stadium on the SiriusXM app and in car radios with your choice of the home or away feed.

    Stream the Alabama Crimson Tide broadcast (Ch. 84)

    Stream the LSU Tigers broadcast (Ch. 963)

    Home: Alabama Crimson Tide

    • In seven outings this season, Jalen Milroe has connected on 99 of 153 throws, amassing 1,617 yards. Milroe leads the SEC and sits third nationally, with 16.33 yards per completion.
    • Alabama has excelled in the red zone, converting on 22 out of 24 scoring opportunities.
    • Jermaine Burton is a dynamic playmaker for the Crimson Tide, leading UA with 508 yards and five touchdowns on 23 receptions.
    • Alabama’s defense is a tough nut to crack, allowing a mere 16.5 points per game, putting them at 16th nationally and second in the SEC.

    Away: LSU Tigers

    • LSU has been lighting up the scoreboard with a four-game streak of 48 or more points, setting a school record.
    • QB Jayden Daniels is a dual-threat playmaker, rushing and passing for touchdowns in the same game 10 times during his 22-game LSU career. The Tigers hold an impressive 9-1 record when Daniels accomplishes this feat.
    • LSU’s offense boasts a top-10 national ranking in seven categories, including first place in scoring (47.4), total offense (552.9), passing touchdowns (26), 3rd-down conversions (57.8), and first downs (217).
    • LSU’s receiving corps has been on fire, featuring a 100-yard receiver in seven consecutive games. Brian Thomas and Malik Nabers both reached this milestone against Army.

    Alabama Crimson Tide Home Feed:

    SiriusXM channel 84 in your vehicle

    Channel 84 on the SiriusXM app

    LSU Tigers Away Feed:

    SiriusXM channel 192 in your vehicle

    Channel 963 on the SiriusXM app

    Want to listen to more games? Throughout the 2023 College Football season, SiriusXM listeners get access to dozens of game broadcasts each week involving teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, and other conferences — plus Army, Navy, HBCU football and more. For more information about SiriusXM’s college football offerings, click here.


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    Matthew Fanizza

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  • Fountain Residential Partners Opens The Flatiron to the LSU Student Body at 98% Occupancy

    Fountain Residential Partners Opens The Flatiron to the LSU Student Body at 98% Occupancy

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    BATON ROUGE, La., August 21, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Dallas-based Fountain Residential Partners announces the completion and turnover of construction of The Flatiron, a 293-bed student housing community in Baton Rouge serving the Louisiana State University market. Located at 300 W. Parker, the project provides 132 luxury apartment homes in a boutique community setting serving the accelerating LSU student body. The Flatiron represents the first purpose-built student housing community to deliver to the LSU student body in the last 6 years.

    Texla Housing Partners is the third-party management company hired to lease up and manage the project. The property is pre-leased to 98% and achieved stronger than proforma rental rates.

    The Flatiron was financed in part by Limited Partners sourced through CrowdStreet, an online real estate crowdfunding platform. First United Bank and Trust was the construction lender, the 18th such construction project the Oklahoma-based bank has financed for Fountain Residential Partners.

    The Flatiron offers a unique unit mix of studios through five-bedroom apartment homes to cater to a variety of resident profiles. Community features include a pool area, clubhouse, strength training and cardio center, and multiple private study rooms. Each fully furnished apartment homes feature condo-like finishes, granite countertops, queen-sized pillow-top beds, 65-inch flat screen and WiFi-enabled TVs, stainless steel appliances, full-sized washer and dryers, and an on-site structured parking garage.  Select units have excellent views of both campus and Tiger Stadium.

    Undoubtedly, the best amenity the community has to offer is the premier, walk-to-campus location and its direct adjacency to Touchdown Village, the primary tailgating venue for LSU Tiger football games.

    The Flatiron was designed by Stuart Roosth Architects, Dement Designs for interior design, and Baton Rouge-based civil engineering firm Duplantis Design Group.  The Flatiron is another successful project by Fountain Residential Partners in its longstanding relationship with MW Builders as General Contractor.

    About Fountain Residential Partners:

    Fountain Residential Partners is a privately held development and asset management company specializing in luxury, mixed-use, and affordable apartment homes in university and collegiate markets across the United States. Specializing in student housing since 2001, the principals of Fountain Residential have completed over $2 Billion in new student housing construction across the country.

    Contact Information:

    Trevor C. Tollett – Executive Vice President

    Fountain Residential Partners, LLC

    2626 Cole Avenue, Suite 620

    Dallas, Texas 75204

    Phone: (972) 861-5080

    Website: www.fountainresidential.com

    ttollett@fountainresidential.com

    Source: Fountain Residential Partners

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  • Biden Honors LSU, UConn Basketball Teams Following NCAA Championship Wins

    Biden Honors LSU, UConn Basketball Teams Following NCAA Championship Wins

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House were seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around.

    The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as both Bidens heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.

    “Folks, we witnessed history,” the president said. “In this team, we saw hope, we saw pride and we saw purpose. It matters.”

    The ceremony was halted for about 10 minutes after forward Sa’Myah Smith appeared to collapse as she and her teammates stood behind Biden. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey assured the audience that Smith was fine.

    LSU said in a statement that Smith felt overheated, nauseous and thought she might faint. She was evaluated by LSU and White House medical staff and was later able to rejoin the team. “She is feeling well, in good spirits, and will undergo further evaluation once back in Baton Rouge,” the LSU statement said.

    Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, Biden said, more than half of all college students are women, and there are now 10 times more female athletes in college and high school. He said most sports stories are still about men, and that that needs to change.

    Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs and activities.

    “Folks, we need to support women sports, not just during the championship run but during the entire year,” President Biden said.

    After the Tigers beat Iowa for the NCAA title in April in a game the first lady attended, she caused an uproar by suggesting that the Hawkeyes also come to the White House.

    LSU star Angel Reese called the idea “A JOKE” and said she would prefer to visit with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, instead. The LSU team largely is Black, while Iowa’s top player, Caitlin Clark, is white, as are most of her teammates.

    Nothing came of Jill Biden’s idea and the White House only invited the Tigers. Reese ultimately said she would not skip the White House visit. She and co-captain Emily Ward presented team jerseys bearing the number “46” to Biden and the first lady. Hugs were exchanged.

    Jill Biden also lavished praise on the team, saying the players showed “what it means to be a champion.”

    “In this room, I see the absolute best of the best,” she said, adding that watching them play was “pure magic.”

    “Every basket was pure joy and I kept thinking about how far women’s sports have come,” the first lady added, noting that she grew up before Title IX was passed. “We’ve made so much progress and we still have so much more work to do.”

    The president added that “the way in which women’s sports has come along is just incredible. It’s really neat to see, since I’ve got four granddaughters.”

    After Smith was helped to a wheelchair, Mulkey told the audience the player was OK.

    “As you can see, we leave our mark where we go,” Mulkey joked. “Sa’Myah is fine. She’s kind of, right now, embarrassed.”

    A few members of Congress and Biden aides past and present with Louisiana roots dropped what they were doing to attend the East Room event, including White House budget director Shalanda Young. Young is in the thick of negotiations with House Republicans to reach a deal by the middle of next week to stave off what would be a globally calamitous U.S. financial default if the U.S. can no longer borrow the money it needs to pay its bills.

    The president, who wore a necktie in the shade of LSU’s purple, said Young, who grew up in Baton Rouge, told him, “I’m leaving the talks to be here.” Rep. Garret Graves, one of the House GOP negotiators, also attended.

    Biden closed sports Friday by changing to a blue tie and welcoming the UConn’s men’s championship team for its own celebration. The Huskies won their fifth national title by defeating San Diego State, 76-59, in April.

    “Congratulations to the whole UConn nation,” he said.

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