225 Magazine - Tiger Pride 2025

CHAMPIONSHIP CARE FOR EVERY TIGER

As Championship Health Partners, Our Lady of the Lake Health and LSU are advancing health, sports performance, education and research for Louisiana and beyond. Whether you’re cheering in Death Valley or tackling your own health goals, the same spirit that drives our Tigers drives us to deliver championship-level healthcare for every fan, every family, every community.

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Features

This month find out:

A13 Who gets covered in paint on game day

A18 How old Mike the Tiger’s habitat is turning

A21 Where to go on an away-game roadtrip

A30 Who is LSU’s fourth-ever female drum major

A35 What big predictions Matt Moscona is making this season

A38 Where transfer portal athletes hail from

A60 Who is entering the quarterback room

A65 How players eat before and after a game

A73 Why LSU Athletics launched The Brand

Departments

A13 SPIRIT

A35 OUTLOOK

A55 TEAM

A69 STYLE

A76 CALENDAR

A78 LATER, GATOR

Tiger Pride

contributing photographer

HELPING TIGERS THRIVE

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

Editor-In-Chief: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez

Managing Editor: Olivia Deffes

Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson

Staff Photographer: Collin Richie

Contributing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas

Contributing Writers: Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Mark Clements, Gracelyn Farrar, Matt Moscona, Oscar Tickle, Ben Warren, Avery White

Contributing Photographers: Ariana Allison, Jordan Hefler, Avery White

ADVERTISING

Vice President, Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert

Sales & Marketing Operations Manager: Kynley Lemoine

Multimedia Marketing Consultant & Team Leader: André Hellickson Savoie

Multimedia Marketing Consultants:

Savannah Bankston Estes, Claire Hader, Jamie Hernandez, Angelle Theriot, Ashleigh Ward

Digital Operations Manager: Devyn MacDonald

Partner Success Manager: Matt Wambles

Content Creators: Erin Beene, Londyn White

Digital Ops Coordinator: Sydney DeVille

Corporate Communications Strategist: Mark Lorando

Content Strategist: Emily Hebert

ADMINISTRATION

Chief Technology Officer: James Hume

Business Manager: Tiffany Durocher

Business Associate: Kirsten Milano

Office Coordinator: Donna Curry

Receptionist: Cathy Varnado Brown

CREATIVE SERVICES

Creative Services Manager: Ellie Gray

Art Director: Hoa Vu

Senior Graphic Designers: Melinda Gonzalez Galjour, Sidney Rosso

Graphic Designers: Britt Benoit, Sophia Polozola

STUDIO E

Creative Director: Timothy Coles

Business Development Manager: Manny Fajardo

Custom Content Editor: Lisa Tramontana

Video Lead: Taylor Stoma

Production Supervisor: Ari Ross

Production Coordinator: Sara Hodge

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Circulation and Client Experience Manager: Ivana Oubre

Audience Development Campaign Manager: Catherine Albano

A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC

Chairman: Julio Melara

Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto

Vice President-Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert

Chief Content Officer: Penny Font

Chief Digital Officer: Erin Pou

Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone

Circulation/Reprints 225.928.1700 • email: circulation@225batonrouge.com 9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 • 225batonrouge.com

September 4, 2025–January 4, 2026

October 9, 2025–January 25, 2026

You’ve likely met one of us, now meet the entire family...

Tiger talk

IT’S ABOUT TO go down.

LSU will kickstart the 2025 season with backto-back night games at home, beginning with the Sept. 6 Southeastern Conference meetup and then launching straight into an SEC rivalry with the Florida game on Sept. 13.

ANNUAL REPORT PROFILESOFSUCCESS

Hyped yet? Well, there are even more reasons to celebrate.

The season lineup brings plenty of matchups worth hitting the road for. Faceoffs with Clemson in South Carolina and Vanderbilt in Nashville provide excuses to check some destinations off your travel list.

Mike the Tiger’s Habitat turns 20 this year, marking two decades of face-to-face visits with the country’s only live tiger mascot.

year, we chronicle the antics of local tailgaters, shining a light on groups like the Painted Posse, which preps for game day with layers upon layers of body paint. We pick the brains of sports writers like Matt Moscona and Mark Clements for preseason analysis.

And we always like to sit down with the athletes and coaches themselves to talk the art of the game. For the 2025 issue, we chatted with Ju’Juan Johnson, LSU’s latest positionless playmaker. He’s proven himself a versatile weapon in multiple roles—and now, he joins the quarterback room, learning from Garrett Nussmeier.

We stepped into LSU’s Performance Nutrition Center for a look at the curated meal spreads that fuel LSU’s student-athletes across all sports.

Award-winning nationally recognized publications telling bold, inspiring and crucial stories that impact our city.

Let our family of overachievers connect you to Baton Rouge with print and digital through daily excellence, innovation and impact. connect with us

The Golden Band from Tigerland’s fourth-ever female drum major takes the field. Catherine Mansfield says she hopes that little girls who see the band marching this year will be inspired to dream big.

We’re covering it all in 225’s annual Tiger Pride issue. 225 has dedicated at least one cover story per year to LSU Athletics over our 20-year history, and we have also paid homage to the passion and pageantry of LSU Football in this dedicated standalone publication since its first edition in 2011. Each

Because if LSU Baseball’s Men’s College World Series victory has reminded us of anything this summer, it’s that everything LSU does is championship caliber.

“(LSU is) a football school, but it’s also a women’s basketball school. It’s a baseball school. And, you can’t go without those other sports,” says Michael Johnson, executive chef of the Performance Nutrition Center. “They’re monsters, and so we celebrate them all.”

Geaux teams! We’ll see you on game day.

Changing the game in orthopedics

Ochsner Health’s team of highly trained orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists provides the most advanced and comprehensive range of treatment options in the Baton Rouge region with one goal in mind: to help you stay active, healthy and pain-free.

We are proud to welcome Tyson Garon, MD; Julie Neumann, MD; Charles Cefalu, MD; and David Pope, MD to our team of 20+ orthopedic specialists.

To schedule an appointment, visit ochsner.org/brortho.

A Steadfast Investment

“The Steadfast Foundation has opened me up to so many opportunities and one of those opportunities was the ability to dream. I could not have done that without having a solid banking institution that knows me by name, that has my back—and that’s the Bank of St. Francisville.”

BSF is a proud supporter of the Steadfast Foundation. To learn more please visit: thesteadfast.org

ORIGINSpirit

War paint War paint

Loud cheering. Painted chests. And an unwavering love for their religion and LSU Football. The LSU Painted Posse has long been a mainstay in Tiger Stadium BY OLIVIA DEFFES // PHOTOS BY

MIKE THE TIGER TAILGATING FEMALE DRUM MAJORS

ExxonMobil Baton Rouge SPONSORED BY:

HOW EXXONMOBIL’S WORKFORCE PIPELINE LAUNCHES FUTURE STEM LEADERS

Each summer, a select group of high school students steps inside ExxonMobil Baton Rouge’s facilities and into the future of STEM. Through ExxonMobil’s High School Internship Program, students don’t just observe the workplace; they become part of it, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship and exposure to real-world careers in engineering, technology and industrial operations.

Now in its fifth year, the program has grown from six interns in 2021 to 36 students in 2025, selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants across East and West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston and surrounding parishes. Participants are high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates interested in everything from mechanical engineering to instrumentation and welding.

“This isn’t your typical summer internship,” says Program Coordinator Carl Raymond. “We start our interns with the same onboarding process we use for full-time ExxonMobil employees. Then we give them real responsibilities, hands-on training and help them grow into young professionals.”

That growth begins with a week-long onboarding, where interns receive safety training, meet their mentors and participate in professional development. Then, students spend seven to eight weeks embedded in departments like Mechanical, Engineering, Environmental, Laboratory and Information Technology, working side-by-side with employees while earning a highly competitive wage.

Mechanical students like Zachary High School graduate Keilan Johnson shadow machinists, change compressor cylinders and install pumps. Engineering interns like Ethan Gauthier and Gabriel Hall rotate through multiple departments to explore the connections between electrical, instrumentation and technical systems.

The impact goes beyond technical skills. Interns also participate in college visits to LSU, Southern University and BRCC, tour contractor facilities, and complete community service projects with groups like Habitat for Humanity and the United Cajun Navy. Every Friday, the cohort focuses on soft skills, résumé writing and career planning.

Woodlawn High graduate Reagan Rodgers, who returned to the program for his third summer, says the most important lesson is about networking. “Talk to everybody,” he advises. “Build connections that could help you in your future career.”

Raymond agrees. “Many students come in thinking they know what they want to do,” he says. “But after being exposed to different roles, they leave with a clearer understanding of their options and how to get there. That’s the value of the program. Whether it confirms their path or changes it, that’s a win.”

The internship is part of ExxonMobil’s broader workforce development pipeline in Baton Rouge. The company starts engaging students in elementary and middle school through classroom visits, STEM exploration activities and tutoring and mentorship programs. ExxonMobil also offers career exploration programs for 9th and 10th grade students and participates in educator externships where high school teachers visit the site to learn about jobs in industry. Beyond the high school internship program, ExxonMobil offers engineering internships to college students and offers free craft skills training through the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative.

By investing early in local talent, ExxonMobil is helping build a diverse and skilled workforce for the future, not just for the company, but for the entire Gulf Coast region.

For more information about ExxonMobil’s workforce development programs, scan the QR code

MOST LSU FOOTBALL fans’ pregame rituals begin with barbecues and beer cans. But LSU’s self-proclaimed biggest fans opt to fuel up for a game day with a good night’s sleep, caffeinated drinks and layers upon layers of body paint.

Since 2003, groups of die-hard student Tiger fans have made their presence known at almost every home game, with loud roars and chests slathered in purple and gold. Also known as the LSU Painted Posse, this unofficial student organization can always be seen taking up the best seats in the house: section 202, row 1 of Tiger Stadium.

“There was a group of guys from the Baptist Collegiate Ministry that wanted to combine their love for Jesus and their love for LSU Football,” current member Jayden Slaughter says. “And they decided that the best way to do that was to get half-naked at football games and paint their chests with (crosses) and certain specific

phrases. And it kind of took off since then.”

Going a little over 20 years strong, the Painted Posse has rotated its crew with new students entering and graduating seniors departing. Organizers say there is no formal recruitment for new members, nor is it hard to join if interested. But each group follows a few ground rules and holds on to the same values of those OG members, combined with an immovable passion for cheering at home games.

Slaughter, now a junior, joined the group as a freshman after getting involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Sophomore Eli Horton, a Baton Rouge native, always attended LSU games and often saw the painted-up group. When he went on a Grand Isle trip with members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, he was surprised to find out the Painted Posse had ties to the church.

Both Slaughter and Horton say they tried out one game to see what it was like. After that, their fall Saturdays were never the same.

“I didn’t realize how awesome it would be until you’re actually in that front row painted up, screaming your lungs out,” Slaughter says.

Don’t expect to see members taking a seat during plays or lessening their hooting and hollering in situations when the Tigers are down. Instead, the Posse’s energy is always high, fueled by concession-stand treats and a love for the game. Their style is rowdy but respectful. They scream, but they refrain from the studentled chants that might lean vulgar.

The Posse’s game-day style has made it popular in Death Valley. Members make appearances on the stadium’s big screens and TV networks’ fan cams. You might have seen their ESPN College GameDay appearances, where members were decked out with Raising Cane’s merch. (Yes, the Posse has a partnership with the chicken finger brand.)

But despite rising to local stardom during football season, Horton and Slaughter agree that painting up isn’t about fame.

“One of our goals would be to take that attention and shine Christ through it,” Horton says.

Slaughter adds, “Looking at us on the surface, they see a bunch of rowdy guys that are crazy enough to paint their chest for football games, but what really matters at the end of the day

is the cross that we wear on our chest.”

Phrases are picked prior, usually something poking fun at the other team or a nod to a standout player. The jersey design then comes together with layered coats of body paint. Then come the letters and that signature cross.

On average, an LSU Football game will last a little over three hours, but for the Painted Posse, it’s an all-day affair. Night games call for the Posse to post up at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry around noon. That’s where the Painted Posse’s female members will get to work painting their live canvases.

Despite being some of the first students entering the gates, they’re also the last to leave, waiting until the final sway of the alma mater.

Then they trek the about 0.7mile route back to their hub, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, leaving a trail of paint flakes along the way. Finally, it’s time to debrief and, of course, hit the showers.

Horton compares the pageantry to an iceberg—you can see the tip

THE PAINTED POSSE, FROM THE 225 ARCHIVES

This isn’t the first year this rowdy group has graced our pages. Former student-members were the subjects of an August 2013 cover image by 225 Staff Photographer Collin Richie, who also snapped new shots for the 2025 story. And Jordan Hefler has captured the Posse over the years while shooting fall games for 225

“So many people are involved in this ginormous process. … But that’s also what makes the Painted Posse so awesome and so well-known, because it’s done to perfection.”

—LSU sophomore and Painted Posse member Eli Horton

but not how much is going on below the water.

“So many people are involved in this ginormous process,” he says. “But that’s also what makes the Painted Posse so awesome and so well-known, because it’s done to perfection.”

So next time you’re feeling worn-out from chanting in Tiger Stadium, look to the first row of section 202 for some fan behavior inspo. Find LSU Painted Posse on Facebook

CREATURE comforts

Two decades in, Mike the Tiger’s Habitat displays a fierce commitment to the country’s only live tiger mascot

BY LAURA FURR MERICAS

BIRTHDAY CARDS

As 225 celebrates its 20th anniversary year, we’ll also be spotlighting other organizations and businesses celebrating milestones in 2025.

every day.

CHATTER WAS SWIRLING around Baton Rouge in 2005 about one of the most expensive homes ever built in the city.

Key features included a splashy pool, lush green space and an around-the-clock care team.

Its resident? A 400-pound Bengal Indochinese tiger, known as Mike V.

And while luxury home prices have caught up to the approximately $3 million project, Mike the Tiger’s Habitat remains a world-class facility for LSU’s live mascot 20 years later.

Mike the Tiger has lived on LSU’s campus since 1937. The previous

versions of Mike’s home met zoo standards for their time, according to Ginger Guttner, assistant director of communications at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, but they lacked ample space for the beloved Bengal to roam.

In 2001, the Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) launched the I Like Mike campaign to fund an ambitious overhaul of the habitat that would give Mike V and future Mikes exceptional qualities of life.

Tiger faithful could donate during home football games and at collection boxes around campus.

Louisiana artist George Rodrigue sold hand-signed prints of Mike to contribute to the effort, and TAF gave fans a chance to put their

Mike’s do’s and don’ts

Don’t bring pets. Animal instincts will likely kick in.

stamp on the space via engraved bricks that now wrap the habitat for $100 a pop.

Construction launched in November 2004, adhering to a design by LSU alum Ace Torre, known for projects at the Audubon Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and elsewhere.

The result was a 14,000-squarefoot, nature-inspired yard that mimics what Mike V might have experienced in the wild. Plus, a clean indoor area where he could receive care from LSU Vet Med.

Rocky terrain and cooling water features were, and have remained, central components of the yard. Giant leafy plants line the edges, where today Mike VII often patrols his territory.

Do celebrate responsibly. Litter from the PMAC ramps can sneak into Mike’s habitat from above. Clean up when snapping those cute graduation pics.

Don’t worry that Mike is lonely. Tigers are solitary animals in the wild. Introducing another large cat to Mike’s home would be dangerous for both animals.

Do come by for a visit. One of the reasons LSU chose to adopt Mike VII was because of how curious he was as a cub. His caretakers say he loves human interaction.

“That’s very common for tigers in general. ... In the wild, they’ll walk miles,” Guttner says.

In 2017, following the death of Mike VI and before Mike VII’s arrival on campus, TAF funded $950,000 in enhancements to the habitat, which included a comfort rock that stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

According to his care team, the rock and the pool are Mike VII’s favorite places in his home. Visitors often find him regally relaxing on the comfort rock, and he takes a dip in the water daily.

“Mike is in his pool every day,” Guttner says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 40 degrees outside; it doesn’t matter if it’s 102 degrees. Mike VI was the same way. Mike V also liked his pool.”

A door at the back of the yard allows Mike to enter his indoor quarters, which contain his climate-controlled night house, a feeding area and space for his vet and two daily caregivers.

And though Mike is never in the same room with his human team, the space allows them to form a close bond, says Baylee Weems, an LSU Vet School student and one of Mike’s caregivers.

“Every morning, whenever we get there and before we go walk his yard, he immediately lays down up against the fence and wants us to scratch his head,” Weems says. “He’s a big baby.”

Weems and her partner are responsible for inspecting and cleaning Mike’s habitat daily. They feed him every meal during their two-year stint in the program and conduct enrichment activities, like adding smells for Mike to hunt or creating holiday-themed, tigerfriendly treats. They even play games of hide-and-seek with the striped stalker through the fence.

“Our main job is to make sure that we’re addressing all the aspects of animal welfare,” Weems says. “And making sure that his life in captivity is as much as what his life in the wild would be like.”

mikethetiger.com

ROAR and explore

Travel tips to make the most of LSU’s 2025 away game destinations

BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

Clemson

AUG. 30

Glorious memories of the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game, along with a common mascot and stadium nickname, add jet fuel to this Tigers-on-Tigers rivalry. The Bayou Bengals’ chancy season opener in Clemson, South Carolina, promises to bring a sea of purple and gold to the charming college town in the Blue Ridge foothills. Here’s how to win the weekend.

FRIDAY

Start things off with lunch and smack-talk at one of Clemson’s storied watering holes, like the Tiger Town Tavern downtown or The Esso Club, a 92-year-old sports bar housed in a former gas station on the Old Greenville Highway. Head to your hotel to freshen up. Clemson offerings include brand accommodations and boutique options like The Inn at Patrick Square. Or stay at the Hyatt Regency in bustling Greenville about 30 miles away, where fellow fans will be posted up with the LSU Alumni Association. Attend the Traveling Tigers’ ticketed welcome event that evening, or make your own fun at the First Friday Parade downtown, a monthly Clemson ritual awash in orange and white.

SATURDAY

It’s game day! Head for farmhouse-chic SunnySide Café to fuel up on shrimp and grits or pecan praline-stuffed French toast. Begin pregame festivities at the Tiger Nation Tailgate outside Memorial Stadium—the other Death Valley—or explore on your own and compare tailgate traditions. Meander to the outdoor amphitheater to hear the Clemson University Tiger Band’s 90 Minutes Before Kickoff Performance ahead of its stadium procession. Claim your seat in time for kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EST.

SUNDAY

A bloody mary is the perfect salve for post-game hoarseness, so head for brunch in restaurant-rich Greenville. Enjoy a French-inspired menu and picturesque view of the Reedy River at Passerelle Bistro. Before the journey home, walk off your Parisian ham benedict at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, a lush 230-acre park on the Clemson campus with display gardens, a wildflower meadow, trails and an arboretum. The tranquility will help lower the weekend blood pressure. Stop by the gift shop and pick up artisan Clemson Blue Cheese, made by the university’s dairy department since 1940.

A matchup with Vanderbilt is an excuse for Tiger fans to visit Music City.

Oxford

SEPT. 27

This Southern charmer delivers Ole Miss’ chichi tailgating and an exalted restaurant scene led by James Beard Award-winning chef and New Orleans native John Currence. His City Grocery, Bouré, Big Bad Breakfast and Snackbar are tasty starting points, but don’t overlook local holes-in-the-wall, like 4 Corners Chevron for chicken on a stick.

Tuscaloosa

NOV. 8

Nashville

OCT. 18

Vanderbilt isn’t one of LSU’s traditional rivals, but this year’s matchup feels electric. The Commodores saw fresh success on the gridiron last season, finishing with a winning record that included an Alabama upset and goalpost teardown. Plus, this away game means a chance to visit Music City.

FRIDAY

Check into one of the area’s numerous brand or boutique hotels, including LSU fan hub, Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University, or the luxury Hermitage Hotel downtown. Attend the ticketed welcome event hosted by Traveling Tigers, or seek out meetups planned by LSUMusicCity, the city’s unofficial LSU fan organization. Don’t let the weekend pass without hearing original live music performed by local singer-songwriters at The Listening Room Café, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill or The Bluebird Café.

SATURDAY

Mild, mid-October temps invite a stroll through Vanderbilt’s historic campus before the midday kickoff. Make your way through Vandyville, the tailgate and entertainment zone around FirstBank Stadium complete with food trucks, a kids’ area and live music. After the game, enjoy a taste of Nashville’s diverse dining scene. Try for a table at Iberian restaurant Peninsula, whose chef Jake Howell won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast this year.

SUNDAY

Before heading home, treat yourself to brown butter beignets or a pistachio croissant at the bakery-restaurant Butter Milk Ranch in Nashville’s 12th South District. Die-hard music fans could opt for a visit to Vinyl Tap, a record shop, bar and taproom in East Nashville. Its outdoor food trailer, Dreamburger, features smashed burgers stacked with thin patties, grilled onions, American cheese and the simplest of trimmings. An epic recovery meal.

Intrepid Tigers braving houndstooth-happy Tuscaloosa find satisfying drinking and dining spots.

Explore the red-brick downtown, where Druid City Brewing Company and Black Warrior Brewing show off the local beer scene. Dig into creative eats like pork belly and biscuits or peach cobbler French toast at River Restaurant overlooking the Black Warrior River.

Norman NOV. 29

This midsize college town, less than 30 miles from Oklahoma City, gets high marks for its friendly people, campus-wide tailgates and well-organized Gaylord Family –Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Campus Corner district is packed with restaurants, retailers and entertainment. Stop by the Sam Noble Museum to learn more about the state’s prehistoric creatures and native peoples.

SCAN HERE to download this collage as a tech background

WHAT IT

IT TAKES

TOP TAILGATERS PULL OFF WINNING GATHERINGS EVERY TIME

ERICK ENGLAND’S

FIRST tailgate of the fall football season isn’t at Tiger Stadium. It’s in the front yard of his Old Goodwood home.

“I literally do a dry run,” he says. “I set up the whole tailgate and cook a few recipes to test equipment, and invite everyone over. I want to make sure everything’s working like I want it to, and to see if I need to make any upgrades.”

England, a 25-year tailgate veteran, heads up Helmet Head Tailgating, so named for his personal ritual of wearing a football helmet from kickoff to the last play. Rows of gleaming purple and gold helmets are also part of the gathering’s decor.

Other precise traditions inform England’s tailgate, consisting of a core group of around 12-15 extended family members and

40-50 guests. Faithfully set up at the corner of Mike Donahue and Dalrymple drives, a multi-tent configuration features generatorpowered ice makers, TVs, music, multiple grills and a 5-gallon cast iron jambalaya pot for frying signature homemade chips.

This kind of high-level tailgating is commonplace at LSU, with die-hard practitioners deploying exhaustive planning and preparation.

From storing equipment in meticulously organized spaces to establishing leadership boards and membership dues, serious tailgaters have created welloiled systems that have turned rudimentary outdoor parties into festive world building.

“It’s a true labor of love,” says Victor Leotta of The Well Done Tailgate. “The words that come to mind to describe our tradition are ‘attention to detail’ and ‘excess.’”

Founded by Leotta’s in-laws, Bill and Cornelia Weldon, the gathering originally started in the Nicholson Drive stadium parking lot around 50 years ago. In 1991, the festivities shifted to a spot under a sprawling live oak near the Indian Mounds with a stadium view.

In its earliest iteration, the affair was literally a tailgate, a “five-minute setup,” Leotta says, that saw bacon and egg salad sandwiches distributed from the lowered rear door of the family’s station wagon.

Coordinated today by eight couples, The Well Done Tailgate has evolved to be painstakingly elaborate, with a rotating menu prepared on-site, a lighted bar, two satellite TVs, a PA system and karaoke machine, disco lights for night games, a chandelier, carpeted areas and suspended fans. There’s even a kitchen sink with running water, Leotta says.

Both Leotta and England are part of a class of tailgaters who store and transport game-day equipment in dedicated trailers. Leotta says it takes him and a few experienced members of the crew about three hours to set up. They have it down to an art, removing and assembling each item in a prescribed order.

England arrives around 4:30 a.m. on game day to finalize preparations. Of course, he’s already partially set the stage, having claimed his spot the day before.

“I’m naturally an early riser, and one of my favorite traditions is watching campus wake up,” he says. “Every home game is like Christmas morning for me.”

Meanwhile, at THE BLUFF…

LIFELONG SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY fan and tailgater Donalvon Lewis grew up supporting the Jags. Two years ago, he began bringing his Good People Catering truck to select home games to serve hungry fans. Stationed near Isaac Greggs Band Hall, Lewis prepares made-on-site boiled seafood; boiled turkey necks with corn, sausage and potatoes; hot honey jerk wings; jambalaya; and homemade boudin.

Thousands pregame outside A.W. Mumford Stadium each fall. Last year, the school recorded an average attendance of 18,463 per game, according to NCAA statistics. Southern games were the third most-attended in the state, behind LSU (averaging 101,235) and Tulane University (23,980).

Fans don Columbia blue and gold, pitch tents and play music and games ahead of kickoff.

Home-cooked food is always on offer, but Lewis says he fills a niche for those who might not be part of a traditional tailgate group, selling takeaway containers for $10 each.

“If you don’t know anyone, it’s kind of difficult for you to obtain food,” says Lewis, who routinely caters outside The Radio Bar, Firehaus, Mango’s Daiquiris and other local spots. “I do it to offer convenience. And I really enjoy seeing people enjoy my food.”

Look for Lewis during Southern’s Oct. 18 Homecoming game against Prairie View A&M University.

As LSU’s fourth-ever female drum major,

Gold standard

Taking the field this season, Catherine Mansfield will carry the baton as The Golden Band from Tigerland’s fourth-ever female drum major

BY RILEY BIENVENU BOURGEOIS // PHOTOS BY AVERY WHITE

ON SEPT. 6, beneath the stately oaks and broad magnolias, LSU’s campus will once again come alive with the roar of the four iconic notes that have become as synonymous with the university as Mike the Tiger or purple and gold. Drums pounding. Trumpets blaring. The Golden Band from Tigerland’s descent down Victory Hill is one of the many time-tested hallmarks of LSU football tradition. And this year, a woman will lead the march of some 325 student musicians as Catherine Mansfield makes her debut as just the fourth female drum major in LSU history.

OVER THE YEARS

Kristie Smith (1999)

“For my first pregame, it was the first year they added jumbotrons in the end zones. I remember the guy on the field with the camera saying to me, ‘Your face is going to be the first thing on those screens.’”

In the not-so-distant past, Kristie Smith made a similar debut—as the first-ever female Tiger Band drum major in 1999. Setting a new precedent, Smith paved the way for other women and helped reshape the public’s view of the prestigious role.

“Until there’s a first, there’s always an assumption that it’s not a thing,” Smith says. “For me, it was twice the honor. It meant so much to me that they felt I was truly worthy enough of the position to be the one to break that mold.”

Smith’s example set the stage for Mindy Hebert Aguillard to follow as drum major the following year in 2000.

Mindy Hebert Aguillard (2000)

“You never know if you helped inspire someone to be in the band, to be a cheerleader or even just to go to LSU.”

Mary Bahlinger Motes (2014) “When I was preparing for the season, I went to the stage makeup class for the Golden Girls. I told them I wanted to look like a girl from far away.”

“Once Kristie got it, I knew I had to try,” she says. But it wasn’t until 2014, with Mary Bahlinger Motes, that the band would see a third woman ascend to the position.

“I knew there had been other girls because when I did a camp in high school, I met Kristie,” Motes says. “That really opened it up for me—it made it seem like a possibility. The idea seems intimidating without seeing it yourself.”

Like her predecessors, Mansfield grew up playing and loving music, starting

with piano at age 5 and the flute in fourth grade. When it came time for high school, the New Orleans native chose St. Mary’s Dominican High School for one very specific reason: its all-girl marching band.

“I wanted to continue with band, and many of the all-girl schools don’t have their own band,” Mansfield explains. “Going to Dominican and being able to serve as drum major of one of the only all-girl marching bands in New Orleans was very formative for me.”

With these experiences under her belt— and her piccolo—Mansfield entered Tiger Band determined to continue in leadership roles. Going into her sophomore year, she auditioned for section leader and was chosen.

“I knew I had the capacity to do it even though I was younger,” she says. “From there, I kept saying to myself, ‘What’s the next step?’”

For the next two years, Mansfield dedicated herself to not just perfecting her

DIVERSITY STRENGTH.

IS OUR

You need all types of people and ALL TYPES of sounds to make an INTERESTING song.

CATHERINE MANSFIELD, LSU’s 2025 drum major

Well wishes for Mansfield

“Enjoy every minute! Don’t waste time doubting how you got there or questioning if you’ll be able to handle this or that event, pressure, task, etc. Just be present, and soak it all in. Every moment is worth it!”

—Kristie Smith

craft but also to creating friendships and cultivating a close-knit band environment.

When it came time to audition for drum major for her senior year, she says she told herself to just go for it.

“It still doesn’t feel all the way real,” Mansfield says of being awarded the role. “I am so incredibly grateful to follow in the footsteps of the three women before me and the 100-something men.”

As the days until the season’s start— and until that faithful march down Victory Hill—slowly tick away, Mansfield is most excited to interact with fans, and for the fans to once again see a woman leading the Golden Band from Tigerland.

“Visibility is so important to help people stop and appreciate that a woman can and should have this role,” she says. “My hope is that maybe when little girls see the band marching by, they are inspired to dream big.”

“I wish her the best of luck. I would tell her to remember to make music and have fun. I’m so happy that she gets to be a part of this legacy.”

—Mindy Hebert Aguillard

“Write down your special moments. Take time to enjoy it—the fact that you put this work in and you’re in charge. You know how to do this, and you will be great.”

—Mary Bahlinger Motes

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24

Outlook Betting odds

Can LSU go big this season?

BY MATT MOSCONA // PHOTOS BY JORDAN HEFLER

TO STEAL A poker analogy, LSU has pushed all its chips to the middle of the table for the 2025 season. The Tigers paid a small fortune to add 18 transfers— the No. 1 portal class in the country—to an already stacked roster.

Garrett Nussmeier is the leading returning passer in college football. Whit Weeks returns after having more tackles than Devin White in his Butkus Awardwinning season, and Harold Perkins Jr. is back from injury.

The schedule shapes up nicely for a College Football Playoff run as the Tigers avoid back-to-back SEC road games and have relative layups before their toughest games.

If the Tigers bust with this hand, a championship is not likely in the cards for the Brian Kelly era.

AUG. 30 at Clemson

ABOUT OUR ANALYST

Matt Moscona is the award-winning host of After Further Review, heard weekdays on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

LSU hasn’t won a season opener since Joe Burrow dismantled Georgia Southern, 55-3. A true road game against a Playoff team is a tough ask to break the streak.

SEPT. 6

Louisiana Tech

Tech has beaten LSU once—in 1904, 33 years before Billy Cannon was born. This is nothing more than a tune-up for …

SEPT. 13

Florida

The Tigers and Gators have met 71 times, but only twice before in September. LSU will retire Charles Alexander’s No. 4 as they hope to exact revenge after the Gators nipped the Tigers in Gainesville a season ago.

SEPT. 20

Southeastern Louisiana

An FCS breather before …

SEPT.

27

at Ole Miss

The Rebels were the “all-in” team a season ago and choked away a Playoff berth with three inexplicable losses. With eight draft picks gone, including quarterback Jaxson Dart, expect a series step back for the runts, err, Rebs.

OCT. 11

South Carolina

So much hype for LaNorris Sellers. So little passing ability. Expect the Tigers to roll coming off their first open date.

OCT. 18 at Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia is back. It didn’t matter when LSU romped Vandy last year. It won’t matter this season, either. But, hey—Nashville is a cool road trip. (See page 21.)

OCT. 25

Texas A&M

Nussmeier might just be locked in for this one after his three second-half interceptions in College Station last year. Tiger Stadium will be electric.

NOV. 8

at Alabama

Jalen Milroe can’t run all over the LSU defense anymore. This will be the true measuring stick for Blake Baker’s defense, and if Kalen DeBoer can actually win big at Bama.

NOV. 15

Arkansas

The biggest question here is if Sam Pittman is still the Arkansas coach come kickoff.

NOV. 22

Western Kentucky

The best part about CFP expansion and a new SEC schedule format is fewer garbage games like this in November—or ever.

NOV. 29

at Oklahoma

The Sooners brought Washington State’s quarterback and offensive coordinator to Norman to fix that side of the ball. If they can’t, this could be the last game of the Brent Venables era.

The POWER of the PORTAL

PORTAL

JOSH THOMPSON

JIMARI BUTLER

Defensive end, Nebraska Butler made a name for himself in his five years with Nebraska, racking up 65 career tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 36 games, earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2023.

NIC ANDERSON

Wide receiver, Oklahoma Anderson joins the Tigers after three seasons with the Sooners, headlined by a stellar redshirt freshman campaign where he caught 38 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns—a school record for a freshman.

SYDIR MITCHELL

Defensive lineman, Texas

The transfer portal is changing LSU Athletics. Here’s where the team is scooping players from

BY MARK CLEMENTS

Offensive lineman, Northwestern Thompson brings a wealth of experience to LSU, having started 21 games the past two seasons, surrendering just 2 sacks in that time. He’s tallied 1,429 career offensive snaps.

MICHAEL VAN BUREN JR.

Quarterback, Mississippi State

It’s not often a backup quarterback has several SEC starts, but the former Mississippi State signal-caller started the last eight games of 2024, throwing for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs with 5 rushing touchdowns on the year.

BARION BROWN

Wide receiver, Kentucky Brown has made his mark on the SEC after recording a conference-record 5 kickoff return touchdowns in his career. He leaves Kentucky with 3,273 all-purpose yards.

DONOVAN GREEN

Tight end, Texas A&M

Outside of his 2023 knee injury, the versatile tight end appeared in 18 games in three seasons with Texas A&M, totaling 22 receptions for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Mitchell saw action in five games as a true freshman for Texas before redshirting last year and transferring to LSU this spring, where he’ll look to be part of the defensive line rotation.

A.J. HAULCY

Safety, Houston

Haulcy has yet to miss a game in his college career. He played in all 12 (with 9 starts) as a true freshman for New Mexico and started 24 straight games for Houston the past two seasons, compiling 259 tackles in his career.

BAUER SHARP

Tight end, Oklahoma

Sharp started his career as a quarterback for Southeastern Louisiana before switching to tight end in 2022. He led Oklahoma with 42 receptions and 324 yards last year.

RECRUITING IN COLLEGE football was traditionally thought of as a sales pitch to high schoolers to convince them to attend your school. The definition widened a bit when coaches would use the term to “re-recruit” draft-eligible upperclassmen to come back to school for another year. And since the introduction of the new NCAA transfer portal rules in 2018, recruiting has now expanded even more broadly.

The number of football players who have entered the transfer portal has increased dramatically every year, from 786 portal athletes in 2021 to 4,086 in 2025, as of press time.

And Brian Kelly has taken full advantage of it. LSU boasts 247Sports' No. 1-ranked and On3's No. 2-ranked portal class in the country, adding 18 new players with an average On3 rating of 83.83 (which also ranks No. 2).

For comparison, the Tigers ranked No. 48 last year with just nine portal additions averaging 69.14. In the past, LSU has primarily used the portal to shore up some depth at positions of need. This year, they nabbed multiple players who are competing for Week 1 starting spots. Here are some new names to keep an eye on this fall—and where they hail from.

MANSOOR DELANE

Cornerback, Virginia Tech

Delane will look to carry on the DBU legacy at LSU as the senior brings 29 starts, 146 tackles and 6 interceptions to the secondary after three seasons with the Hokies.

BRAELIN MOORE

Offensive lineman, Virginia Tech

Moore was a two-year starter at Virginia Tech. He appeared in 28 games in his career, which adds up to 1,422 offensive snaps.

TAMARCUS COOLEY

Safety, NC State

Cooley provides more depth and experience at safety after two years at Maryland and NC State. He comes to LSU with 15 career appearances (including 9 starts), 43 tackles and 2 interceptions.

JACK PYBURN

Defensive end, Florida

Pyburn had a breakout junior season at Florida, tallying 60 tackles with 4 tackles for loss and a sack, and he’s already emerged as a leader on the defense throughout spring practice.

JA’KEEM JACKSON

Cornerback, Florida

Jackson’s best is still yet to come. The former Florida cornerback played in 11 games as a true freshman and was named a Week 1 starter as a sophomore for the Gators before suffering a seasonending injury in Week 2.

Portal participation

2,272 2,689 3,310 4,086

PATRICK PAYTON

Defensive end, Florida State Payton arrives in Baton Rouge as a fifth-year senior after racking up 31.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 40 career games—including two contests against LSU in 2022 and 2023.

DESTYN HILL

Wide receiver, Florida State

The New Orleans native returns to his home state after spending the past two seasons at Florida State. He was forced to miss all of 2024 with an injury but had 6 catches for 87 yards as a true freshman.

BERNARD GOODEN

Defensive lineman, South Florida Gooden joins the Tigers with experience at multiple different places. He saw action in 12 games at Wake Forest in 2022 before playing in 13 games (11 starts) for South Florida last year, earning an honorable mention All-AAC nod.

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MAGIC MAGIC 8 BALL 8 LSU’s

THE LATE-LATE SHOWS

LSU vs. Tennessee, April 25-26 / LSU vs. Arkansas, May 9-10

The 2025 LSU baseball team’s magical mystery tour began in the most Louisiana way possible: with a rain delay. First pitch of a critical SEC series against the Vols was pushed back to 9:50 p.m., and it was well past midnight when the Tigers entered the bottom of the 9th down 3-0. Then, as they have so many times over the last 40 years, the baseball gods looked with favor upon Alex Box Stadium. A throwing error. A fielding error. A walk. A bases-loaded single to knock in two runs. Another single to tie the game at 3. At 1:17 a.m., with two runners on base and 12,919 screaming insomniacs willing the Tigers to victory, slugger Jared Jones crushed a two-out, two-strike pitch over the center field fence. Final: LSU 6, Tennessee 3. If you didn’t believe in magic that night, you did two weeks later, when LSU endured another long rain delay and came back to beat Arkansas 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th. The time? 1:17 a.m.

TAKE US HOME, COUNTRY ROADS

LSU vs. West Virginia, June 8

The LSU songbook – “Tiger Rag,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” “Louisiana Saturday Night,” “Neck,” “Roar” and many more – added a memorable encore during the NCAA Super Regional. Nearing a sweep of WVU, a packed Alex Box Stadium serenaded the visitors with a stirring rendition of John Denver’s timeless roadtrip ditty, singing the Mountaineer Mommas home and taking LSU to the place they beloooooooong: Omaha, Nebraska.

Board

WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA WOO PIG SOOIE?

LSU vs. Arkansas, CWS Semi-Finals, June 18

Arkansas has zero baseball championships but does have bragging rights to the most ridiculous battle cry in all of college sports – which is saying something when you play in the conference that gave us Hotty Toddy and Cowbell Hell. So you have to think it was karma, not bad luck, when LSU silenced the squeals by conjuring up more late-game magic against its SEC rival. With the game on the line, the Razorbacks’ Golden Glove shortstop brain-farted a game-ending double play and the left fielder tried to catch a line drive with his collarbone (didn’t work). Jared Jones’ walk-off single sent LSU to the finals with a miraculous 5-4 win, and sent the Hogs and their fans Boot Scoot Sooing back to Fayetteville.

Magic 8-Ball Says: DON’T COUNT ON IT, ARKANSAS

KADE ANDERSON

LSU vs. Coastal Carolina, CWS Championship Game 1, June 21

“Masterpiece” is perhaps the most overused word in sports. But how else to describe Kade Anderson’s, 10-strikeout, 130-pitch, complete-game, 3-hit, 1-0 shutout of Coastal Carolina in the opening game of the best-of-three CWS finals? Here’s another way to describe Anderson’s clutch performance: Almost as good as his 14-strikeout, 135-pitch, complete-game, 5-hit, 2-0 shutout of Oklahoma on April 3. So yeah, that’s two Kade Anderson masterpieces in one season

THE WAH-WAH-WAH HEARD ’ROUND THE WORLD

LSU vs. Coastal Carolina, CWS Championship Game 2, June 22

When the season is on the line, coaches all say the same thing: Manage your emotions. Focus on your assignment. Forget the last play. Control what you can control. And then there’s Coastal Carolina manager Kevin Schnall. Facing elimination in the championship round against LSU, Schnall went coastal in THE TOP OF THE FIRST INNING and got tossed for violating the NCAA’s “There’s No Crying in Baseball” rule. The ejection had no effect on the outcome of a game Coastal was going to lose to a superior opponent anyway, but it reminded us all that under Jay Johnson LSU does not merely out-coach and out-play its opponents … it out-classes them.

THE UNLIKELIEST

HERO OF ALL

LSU vs. Coastal Carolina, CWS Championship Game 2, June 22

You’d expect boos, not cheers, for a player stepping to the plate after going hitless in his last 39 at-bats. But third baseman Michael Braswell received a standing ovation on his way to the batter’s box for the last time as an LSU Tiger. The roar of the crowd was part tribute to a departing senior; part gratitude for his many defensive gems that kept LSU close in games that otherwise might have slipped away; and part pep talk for a player who deserved better than to end his college career in a slump. It worked – he ripped a single to left and raised his hands triumphantly at first base, a fitting finale for an unsung hero that Tiger Nation never took for granted.

THE PAYOFF PITCH

Post-game LSU press conference, Sunday, June 22

As clutch as Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores were in the CWS finals, LSU’s best pitching performance in Omaha wasn’t on the mound. It was in the post-game presser when Jay Johnson addressed his NEXT championship pitching staff. Answering a reporter’s question by speaking directly to every high school and college baseball prospect watching on TV, Johnson said: “If you don’t want to pitch for LSU, you’re out to lunch.”

Magic 8-Ball Says: IT IS DECIDEDLY SO

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I CAN’T BELIEVE I 8 THE WHOLE THING

Closing time at Rocco’s, June 23

Regardless of whether you regard 52,390 Jell-O Shots in 10 days as cause for celebration or a cry for help, no one can argue that anytime when finish a contest 43,273 points ahead of the runner-up, you have successfully reinforced a “winning culture.”

But the 2025 CWS was a wake-up call for the Jell-O Shot GOATs of LSU. Tiger fans fell 16,498 shots behind their 2023 total – a 24% decline in just two years. That won’t cut it in 2026. Offseason training shall commence immediately!

Magic 8-Ball Says: REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN

•

Congrats to the Tigers on their 8th National Championship!

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Team

Kneaux the

Oeaux

From running backs to tight ends, this group of new and returning players looks to get the Tigers over the hump in 2025

BY BEN WARREN

JU'JUAN JOHNSON

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH THE TIGER CHEF

IN THE ERA of the transfer portal, teams are bringing in more new faces than ever before. This season’s LSU Tigers are no exception. With 247Sports’ No. 10 high school recruiting class and No. 1 transfer portal class, Brian Kelly enters the biggest year of his coaching career with incredible talent at his disposal. Meet some newcomers on the offensive side of the ball, with some key returners from last year’s squad.

CADEN DURHAM

#29

Coming off a freshman campaign that saw him average 5.3 yards per carry for 753 yards on the ground, Durham is poised to etch his name in LSU’s long list of outstanding running backs. For all the damage he does on the ground, he is also an excellent target receiving out of the backfield. With 260 receiving yards, he’ll be a key part of the offensive engine.

HARLEM BERRY

#22

Hailing from Metairie, Berry was the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation in 2024, finishing his high school career with over 8,000 yards rushing and more than 150 touchdowns. The former track star’s breakneck speed and impressive balance bode well for a freshman looking to leave his mark.

KALEB JACKSON

A Baton Rouge native and Liberty Magnet High School grad, Jackson will have his work cut out for him in the stacked running-back room. The 235-pound junior has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t been able to string together consistent performances. Look for him in short-yardage situations, and watch out when he gets a full head of steam.

TREY’DEZ GREEN

#14

A 6-foot-7 tight end, Zachary’s own has a chance to be wildly impactful. Green spent his freshman campaign behind Mason Taylor, learning from one of the purpleand-gold’s best-ever tight ends. With a year of experience under his belt, including a strong bowl game performance, Green is likely to see a massive uptick in usage.

BAUER SHARP

A transfer from the University of Oklahoma who began his college career at Southeastern Louisiana University, Sharp aims to be a solid No. 2 option at tight end. He led Oklahoma with 42 receptions for 324 yards in 2024.

CHRIS HILTON JR.

Injuries have derailed the former four-star recruit during his time here. While he may now be more known for his relationship with LSU Women’s Basketball star Flau’jae Johnson, Hilton should finally have a breakout season. A healthy Hilton is key to the offense’s ability to stretch the field and open up the passing game.

AARON ANDERSON

#1

After a rocky 2023 campaign that saw him only catch 12 balls for 59 yards, Anderson quickly became one of Garrett Nussmeier’s favorite targets in 2024. With 61 catches for 884 yards and five touchdowns, including a game-tying touchdown against Ole Miss, the New Orleans native has made himself a household name in south Louisiana.

BARION BROWN

A transfer from the University of Kentucky, Brown has made his mark as an elite return man. Amassing over 1,400 return yards and five touchdowns to go along with 1,528 receiving yards, Brown is a versatile sparkplug for a team that has struggled on special teams under Kelly.

NIC ANDERSON

Another Oklahoma transfer, Anderson is now two years removed from an impressive freshman campaign where he reeled in 38 catches for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns. After dealing with a quad injury that kept him out for a majority of 2024, LSU hopes the 2023 version of the 6-foot-4 target returns.

Issue Date: JUL 2025 Ad proof #2

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MICHAEL VAN BUREN JR.

A transfer from Mississippi State University, Van Buren was a starter during his lone year in Starkville. With 1,886 yards passing to go along with 11 touchdowns through the air, the passing numbers don’t jump off the page. Expect Van Buren to spend this year learning from Nussmeier before entering 2026 with a chance at the starting spot.

Bringing back

DBU

With Corey Raymond returning as secondary coach, LSU seems poised to live up to its nickname in 2025. Watch these key players this fall

By Mark Clements

BRIAN KELLY SPARKED some controversy early in his LSU tenure when he decided not to retain longtime Tiger assistant Corey Raymond on his inaugural coaching staff.

It wasn’t an egregious decision by any means—many coaches prefer starting with a clean slate when they take over a new job, especially at a program that was trending in the wrong direction the previous two seasons.

But it was one that came with some backlash.

Raymond had been at LSU for more than a decade across two different stints and was known as the orchestrator and father of the DBU (Defensive Back University) moniker the Tigers have embraced. LSU had admittedly not lived up to its name for a few

years, so Kelly revamped the defense.

Blake Baker was nabbed from Missouri to run the unit, bringing with him safeties coach Jake Olsen. But perhaps equally important, Raymond was

hired to coach the cornerbacks again, putting instant life back into DBU. Since his return, LSU has landed some significant weapons in the secondary. The team is looking to return to form again in 2025.

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D.J. PICKETT

Pickett checks all the boxes you’re looking for in an elite cornerback prospect. His 6-foot-4 frame combined with his 10.7-second time in the 100-meter dash gives him a rare combination of size and speed that will pose problems for any opponent.

P.J. WOODLAND

Woodland played in all 13 games as a true freshman last year, contributing 20 tackles, a forced fumble, 3 pass breakups and 3 passes defended. He was a 4-star cornerback out of Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi who played both wide receiver and cornerback.

ASHTON STAMPS

#1

It didn’t take long for Stamps to work his way into the starting lineup for LSU. He played in 11 games with 4 starts as a true freshman and started all 13 games last season. He’s racked up 74 tackles and 16 passes defended as a Tiger.

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MANSOOR DELANE

Turn to page 38 to read more about the Virginia Tech transfer.

JA’KEEM JACKSON

Turn to page 38 to read more about the transfer from Florida.

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Oh, snap! Ju’Juan Johnson is LSU’s positionless playmaker, a versatile weapon at multiple positions—and now, he joins the quarterback room

BY MARK CLEMENTS

THERE WAS A meme that went viral around 2018 featuring former NFL lineman Anthony “Spice” Adams playing his now signature role of Cream E. Biggums.

The video shows Biggums in his trademark orange tank top, short-shorts and rec specs doing a spoof of an NFL player introduction, like some thing you might see on Monday Night Football. He introduces himself, then proceeds to rattle off all the positions he plays—punt returner, kicker, quarterback, wide receiver, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, fullback, running back, etc. He checks off just about every position on the football field, including head coach and assistant coach.

The comical clip resurfaces at some point each football season when a player makes an impact at multiple positions. But setting jokes aside, Ju’Juan Johnson’s football career isn’t too far from Biggums’ boisterous resume. For as long as he’s been an athlete, he says he’s played multiple positions.

“Ever since I was young, I just played football. It’s harder, but I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Johnson tells 225. “I know my coaches and my teammates are gonna put me in the best situation.”

As young as 6 or 7, he remembers being shuffled all around the offense of his flag football team—any position that could get the ball into his hands.

That continued into his prep career at Lafayette Christian Academy. Johnson says the coaches wanted him to ultimately become the starting quarterback but had him slot in as a wide receiver and situationally at cornerback as an underclassmen.

“I know I’m an athlete—I’m gonna just play football. That’s my job,” Johnson says, putting it simply. “I’m comfortable and confident in my abilities, so at the end of the day, wherever you have to put me and wherever you feel like the team will be the best … just put me in that position, and watch me go to work.”

But Johnson didn’t just go to work. He shattered records.

The former Knight finished his high school career as the most productive quarterback in Louisiana prep history, racking up 14,451 total yards and 171 total touchdowns en route to being named Louisiana’s Mr. Football in 2023. He was rated as a four-star prospect and one of the top

“He can do things a lot of people can’t. … THAT’S NOT EASY TO DO, to switch from running back to quarterback.”

—LSU starting quarterback GARRETT NUSSMEIER on his teammate

Ju’Juan Johnson

10 players in the state. Despite his staggering offensive production, Johnson was primarily being recruited as a safety.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound athlete began his LSU career in 2024, when he says he worked out at the “star” position—essentially a hybrid role combining safety and inside cornerback duties. But it wasn’t long before Johnson was on the move again.

After running back John Emery Jr. was injured, the coaching staff decided to move Johnson back on offense in early September to help out with the tailbacks.

So along with adjusting to life as a college student-athlete, getting caught up with the speed of play in the SEC and trying to learn the entire defensive playbook, Johnson was now also tasked with learning the ins and outs of the offensive scheme.

“It was hard. I’m not gonna lie,” Johnson tells 225. “I was never in the offensive playbook at that time yet. So learning the plays and having to process all of that information at one time was very challenging. But the coaching staff and my teammates helped me throughout the whole

process, making sure I was comfortable where I was and comfortable with the playbook and knowing my job—what I had to do.”

Johnson scored a touchdown in his first game at running back against Nicholls State, using his speed to get to the endzone on a 5-yard catch.

He made a few sporadic contributions the rest of the season, finishing the year with seven carries for 14 yards and five catches for 22 yards and the lone touchdown.

Fast forward nearly a full calendar year, and Johnson is yet again working at a new position. The LSU coaches have moved him back to the familiar yet simultaneously foreign quarterback room, where he’ll have to learn the most pivotal playbook on the team.

“It’s a challenging position,” Johnson tells 225. “You’ve got to know everything, and there are definitely some (challenging) pieces you have to pick up, like protections and knowing the receiver’s routes. You’ve got to know where the spot is at, the rhythm of the route— everything. The transition is hard, and I’m still learning right now. It’s a process.”

Johnson said he’s leaned on the experience

of starting quarterback and fifth-year senior Garrett Nussmeier throughout the offseason to help pick up the nuances of the position, asking questions and picking Nussmeier’s brain whenever he can.

But with Nussmeier locked in as the starter and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren Jr.—who has eight SEC starts to his name—as the presumed backup, it’s not likely Johnson will take many meaningful snaps at quarterback in 2025.

So where might we see the versatile athlete? Well, just about anywhere.

“We’ll find different ways to give him the football,” Nussmeier tells 225. “He can do things a lot of people can’t. He’s done an unbelievable job coming into the quarterback room. That’s not easy to do, to switch from running back to quarterback. He’s done an unbelievable job not just learning the quarterback position but things he’s gonna have to do at receiver and things he’ll have to do at running back—you know, everywhere. I’m really proud of him and the work he’s put in, and you can expect to see a lot of big things from him.”

GAYLE LAFOSSE, LAFOSSE

WE CONSIDER JR CONSTRUCTION AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR TEAM AND TRUST THEM TO REPRESENT OUR STANDARDS ON EVERY JOB SITE.” LANCE FAUCHEAUX, LEVEL HOMES

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Yes, Yes, chef chef

What fuels championship-winning studentathletes? It starts with curated meal spreads at LSU’s Performance Nutrition Center

BY OLIVIA DEFFES

STEP INTO LSU’S Performance Nutrition Center at lunchtime, and you’re sure to hear chatter from employees manning stations and football players cracking jokes.

Soon, the clanking of silverware hitting dishes signals that diners are close to becoming members of the happy plate club. And why wouldn’t they? Every day brings a different menu, meeting the nutritional wants and needs for student athletes.

Think: fajita bowls, marinated pork tenderloins, hearty soups, a packed fruit bar and more.

Unveiled back in 2019, the Performance Nutrition Center’s organizers say it’s less about building the tastiest plate and more about building up healthy eating habits. Teams work with dietitians to establish health goals, meal plans and recovery needs. Then, the facility’s chefs and cooks create fresh lineups that hit all the marks.

At the helm is Executive Chef Michael Johnson, whose previous employers include the Seattle Seahawks and food and beverage provider Centerplate, where he prepped spreads in Missouri for the Kansas City Chiefs and in Vancouver for ceremonies during the 2010 Olympics.

LSU brought Johnson on board when the center debuted. On an average day, find him making his rounds at the dining hall’s serving stations.

Known to the students as “The Tiger Chef” or just “Chef,” he tries to be as sustainable as possible in the kitchen and aims to utilize locally sourced ingredients.

Of course, practices and training are vital for competition. But nutrition is equally important. Just ask Johnson, who preps omega-3 heavy, anti-inflammatory dishes for recovery. Above all, he works to create meals that are mindful of student-athletes’ health.

After a big LSU Football game? A brunch-style victory meal is vital, regardless of the final score.

“In a nutshell, food is medicine. Your body doesn’t recover at its maximum potential unless you’re putting all the nutrients that it’s craving in there,” he says.

Beyond the food lines, Johnson and his team educate athletes with cooking demos and easy-to-follow recipes for their non-Performance Nutrition Center meals. Johnson says it’s important to meet the students on their level. He’ll meet players on their own turf or work with teams for their own menu takeovers at the Performance Nutrition Center.

“A large piece of what we do here is we’re trying to teach young

“I look at the studentathletes as an extension of my family.”

Johnson’s spreads typically include hearty options like radiatori with puttanesca sauce, chicken and olives and an assortment of fresh, locally sourced grains, veggies and fruits.

minds how to eat healthier,” he says. “You catch a man a fish, you feed him for a day. You teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. And we’re trying to feed people for a lifetime.”

While all 20-plus teams get attention, Johnson admits football requires some extra focus as fall kickoff approaches, thanks to the size of the team and its caloric needs.

Over the years, Johnson has built a rapport with players. He thumbs through pics in his camera roll of him smiling with stars like Joe Burrow and Rashard Lawrence. Johnson says he starts connecting with players during recruitment. By senior year, they’re influencing incoming freshman players to open up to him about needs and food insecurities.

“One of my football guys from 2019 came back two or three months ago, and it was like seeing one of my kids,” Johnson says. “I look at the student-athletes as an extension of my family. And for the parents, I empathize with them because they’re trusting me with their kids and their livelihoods or their nutritional needs.”

Once the clock runs out on football, or as other teams prep for big matchups, Johnson and his team reprioritize.

“The athletics administration has been very adamant, and I wholeheartedly agree, that this is about all sports. Football is a big driver here, and (LSU is) a football school, but it’s also a women’s basketball school. It’s a baseball school. And, you can’t go without those other sports,” Johnson says. “They’re monsters, and so we celebrate them all.”

LSU’s student-athletes have hungry eyes for game wins, championships and NIL deals—but they couldn’t do it all without full stomachs first. lsusports.net/nutrition

Welcome to

Mainstreet 2030 represents a bold and forward-thinking vision for the City of Central. By addressing critical issues such as flood control, enhancing recreational opportunities, and creating vibrant commercial and civic spaces, this initiative aims to transform Central into a more resilient, connected, and enjoyable place to live.

SCAN ME

Or, navigate to 225batonrouge. com/lsu-wallpaper to download our latest crop of purple and gold photography (plus some Southern gold and blue, too).

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Join our Krewe | Class of 2030 and beyond

At the Louisiana Academy of Production (LAAP), we are a full-time, accredited high school dedicated to nurturing the creative talents of our students, providing a great academic education alongside hands-on training to prepare them for successful careers in film and television production.

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Secure your spot today and give your child the creative education they deserve.

Empower the Next Generation of Filmmakers

Star power

Inside the Tiger Stadium HQ of The Brand, LSU Athletics’ new storytelling division

BY AVERY WHITE

LSU ATHLETICS IS a household name known for purple and gold, championships and Saturday nights in Death Valley. But who’s behind the branding of arguably the No. 1 name for collegiate sports in the country?

This spring, LSU Athletics announced the launch of The Brand, an in-house communications studio bringing together the department’s social media, videography, photography, podcasting, marketing and NILSU teams. In the new era of NIL, the department was born from the need to establish a more cohesive creative department to help maximize resources for student-athletes.

The third floor of Tiger Stadium South, which has been used for many offices over the years, was renovated to provide amenities for multiple units under one roof. In one space, camera equipment and backdrops are ready for photo and

video shoots. In another section, radio shows and podcasts are recorded. There’s a recruit dressing room, NIL recruiting lounge and much more.

Once bare gray walls were transformed into an immersive hallway splashed with timeless photos, video boards and images of billboards and magazine covers—all products of the school’s various creative teams. Statistics signage shows the power of LSU’s podcast and radio reach.

As a student-photographer myself, I’ve volunteered with the LSU Athletics photo team since my freshman year. I’ve seen and experienced the impact that the creative department has on not only student-athletes, but also student-workers.

While The Brand was created to better collaborate among departments and provide a resource to student-athletes, it also elevates the work of LSU students, giving their work exposure and providing ongoing hands-on education.

If walls could talk

The third floor of Tiger Stadium South was renovated with workspaces and amenities for more than 100 staff members. The walls are splashed with images of historic moments across LSU Athletics. Hallways guide workers, student-athletes and recruits to photo and video sets, a recruit dressing room, a podcast and radio studio, an NIL recruiting lounge and more.

Renovations began in January, but the plans for the space have been in motion since the end of last summer. Under the creative guidance of Executive Director of Creative Design and Photography Jason Feirman, a large portion of the branding and the walls were created and designed by student-workers.

Originally, the department’s creative, marketing and NIL units worked separately with occasional crossover, some of them not even working in the same building. But when Senior Associate Athletic Director Zach Greenwell came onto the scene last summer, he knew he wanted to make a change.

“The staff felt disconnected at times and really wanted something that tied them all together,” Greenwell tells me.

“That was one thing that we were trying to solve: How can we become one team and really be able to rally around things, find things for all the staff to be able to take pride in?”

Combining the minds of Greenwell, Feirman and Associate AD of NIL & Strategic Initiatives Taylor Jacobs, the all-in-one branding hub and creative and marketing unit was conceptualized.

LSU has a long history of enrolling athletes who have star power, with figures from Olivia Dunn, Angel Reese and Jayden Daniels to Joe Burrow, Shaquille O’Neal and Seimone Augustus becoming style icons and household names.

Now, recruits, visitors and students walking the space should immediately grasp the school’s story and brand power, Feirman says.

“If I’m a recruit or a student-athlete, how am I looking at this space and this group to enhance my student-athlete experience— and help me effectively build

HOME TOUR

A walkthrough of The Brand’s digs

Dream weavers

The Brand’s graphic designers create visual experiences for the teams and players, dreaming up schedule cards, website and social media graphics, billboards and more.

Cover material

The communications department produces content and fields press requests. It published nearly 2,500 articles last year. Players are taught how to manage media during mock interviews and events.

Behind the lens

The LSU Pix team snapped over 3.5 million photos of teams and coaches last year, from the action on the field to in-studio portrait sessions. Heard ’round the world

a brand and leave LSU bigger than when I started,” Jacobs says.

The Brand looks to continue building, innovating and elevating resources for student-athletes—and in turn, broadening LSU Athletics’ name recognition.

“It’s something else that LSU could offer that no one else can. It’s kind of our differentiator from many other schools across the country,” Feirman says.

“Always keeping LSU unique is kind of our goal. So this area, in this space, and our groups working together, accomplishes that.” lsusports. net/thebrand

SCHEDULE TIGER FOOTBALL 2025

AUG. 30

CLEMSON

Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina

SEPT. 6

LOUISIANA TECH Tiger Stadium

SEPT. 13

FLORIDA Tiger Stadium

SEPT. 20

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA Tiger Stadium

SEPT. 27

OLE MISS

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

OCT. 11 • Homecoming

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FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee

OCT. 25

TEXAS A&M Tiger Stadium

NOV. 8

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Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

NOV. 15

ARKANSAS Tiger Stadium

NOV. 22

WESTERN KENTUCKY Tiger Stadium

NOV. 29

OKLAHOMA

Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma

With the band

IN THE EARLY hours of a cool Saturday last October, a herd of students in yellow shirts wove through the crowds, where Tiger fans were already awaiting the Homecoming game.

The Golden Band from Tigerland was on the move, carrying instruments big and small to its warmup.

And 225 was right there with it. For an exclusive behind-the-scenes video about its game-day rituals, we trailed Tiger Band from its morning practice to its afternoon march down Victory Hill.

Inside the practice facility, the group gathered in circles separated by instrument. We fiilmed from the rafters as band director Simon Holoweiko guided the formations below.

Afterward, everyone donned their uniforms. It was time to head to the top of Victory Hill.

Catch you on the flip side

Read the full story—and more digital content—on 225’s website at 225batonrouge.com. Or, subscribe to our newsletter at 225batonrouge.com/225daily.

The band lined up on the curb, cheering as the drum major stepped off and raised his baton. With the blow of his whistle, each member rushed into formation. We zipped in and out to capture all the angles, letting the band pass by us and then zooming to get in front of it again.

At the bottom of the hill, Tiger Band made one final march before heading into the PMAC for a pregame performance—and then onward to Death Valley. lsu.edu/cmda/bands/athletic

Powering Progress

Louisiana is at the forefront of Shell’s energy evolution.

RENEE

LSU Alumna

Environmental Manager

SHELL NORCO

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With thousands of Shell men and women across the state, we are working every day to reduce emissions, while increasing efficiency in our operations.

Our tomorrow depends on what we do today. Together, we are powering progress for a brighter future. Louisiana is where we live and we’re proud to call it home.

shell.us/louisiana | #PoweringProgress