Around the LSU Universe

Things are a happening around LSU athletics, beyond a boat ton of COVID cases, here is a recap:

• Ed Orgeron picked up a commitment from a 6’6” 261 pound tight end...from the LSU baseball team. Sophomore pitcher Nick Storz has begun working out with the football team. Storz was a tight end in high school and teammates with offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, who would eventually sign with Georgia. Paul Manieri has okayed the move and Storz still plans on pitching, although his baseball career has been very limited due to injuries.
• Entering last week, the Tigers still had one remaining scholarship available for the 2020 class. Two of those candidates were Camron Jackson and Lorando Johnson, two committed yet unsigned prospects working through academic issues. Both have opted to pursue football at different colleges. Jackson announced a commitment to Memphis and Johnson opted to sign with Baylor.
• Safety Eric Monroe has entered the transfer portal. The senior had mostly been a backup over his career and likely wants to see more playing time to close out his collegiate career. Had he stayed, he would likely be battling Todd Harris, Kary Vincent, and Mo Hampton for regular snaps at safety across from Jacoby Stevens.
• Adding to the departures was 2021 commit, safety Dakota Mitchell, who dropped the Tigers and flipped to the Gators a few days later.
• Over at basketball, new contracts for Kevin Nickelberry and Bill Armstrong were approved by the Board of Supervisors. Assistant Greg Helaire has departed the program. No indication that this is due to some kind of fallout from whatever supposed threat of sanctions that are looming.
• Things also remain quiet on the Moussa Cisse front. The recently reclassified class of 2020 No.9 player in the country was set to announce the first week of June but opted to delay his decision in the wake of the George Floyd protests. LSU still seems to be the favorite.
• Back to baseball, the abbreviated MLB draft saw Cole Henry go in the second round to the Nationals and Daniel Cabrera also went in the second round, to Detroit. Henry has announced he plans on signing to the Nats. Cabrera hasn’t formally announced he is departing but all indications are that he will be departing.
• On the flip side, Drew Bianco withdrew his name from the transfer portal and is expected back. Additionally, incoming freshman, Dylan Crews who was projected to be a potential first round pick, withdrew his name and will be coming to Baton Rouge.