Cecilia (La.) four-star wide receiver Braylon Calais is expected to be back in Baton Rouge on Saturday for the LSU Tigers’ Week 7 matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Calais, the No. 2 rated wideout in Louisiana, remains a priority target for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers with the program turning up the heat this fall.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder turned heads as a sophomore in 2024 after logging 1,059 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 163 carries with an additional 411 receiving yards and four scores as a wideout.
Calais thrives with the ball in his hands after shining as both a running back and wideout, but he also impacts the game as a return specialist where he averaged more than 32 yards per return on the season.
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LSU has built a strong relationship with the prized Louisiana athlete and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton has his eyes on the talented Louisiana star.
Courtesy of Braylon Calais’ Instagram.
Along with the in-state Tigers, Ryan Day and the defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes are intensifying their pursuit for Calais.
According to the Rivals “Recruiting Prediction Machine,” the Buckeyes remain a threat early in Calais’ process.
But the LSU Tigers are making their presence felt, according to Rivals’ Chad Simmons.
After a weekend visit in Baton Rouge in September, LSU is “making a big push” for the No. 2 rated wideout in Louisiana with the coaching staff focused on the state’s next star as he gears up for another visit this fall.
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The versatile receiver has a unique combination of size, speed and athleticism that has seen his ranking skyrocket heading into his junior season in 2025.
Courtesy of Braylon Calais [Instagram].
LSU will look to fend off multiple heavy-hitters with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas A&M Aggies, among others, entering the mix, but the relationship continues getting stronger.
The Tigers hosted Calais for an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge during the program’s Spring Camp where he had an opportunity to soak in the scenes of campus with LSU chipping away.
Now, he’s expected back on campus on Saturday for a critical SEC matchup in Baton Rouge.
Louisiana is home to multiple Top-100 wide receivers in the 2027 Recruiting Cycle with Calais quickly emerging as a name to know on the program’s board.
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After a stellar sophomore campaign in 2024, all eyes are on the Cecilia (La.) athlete with the Bayou Bengals intensifying their pursuit across his junior season this fall.
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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.
Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes.
The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.
The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.
Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.
The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.
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Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.
Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.
Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.
“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.
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Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.
“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”
The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.
Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.
“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”
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The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.
“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”
Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.
