Louisiana

Louisiana football ends transfer portal period with more losses

Published

2 months ago

January 17, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana football ends transfer portal period with more losses

The NCAA transfer portal officially closed January 16 and it was a somewhat quiet period for Louisiana football.

After a 6-7 overall finish for the Ragin’ Cajuns, head coach Michael Desormeaux and his staff were hoping to reset and reload. This go-round, they didn’t pick up a ton from the portal, while on the flip side lost double-digit players. Among those leaving were two starting running backs, Zylan Perry and Bill Davis, and former starting quarterback Walker Howard.

On the bright side, emerging star quarterback Lunch Windfield is set to return for the 2026 season. Along with him are more young talents from last season, such as true freshman defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. and wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr.

Retaining some talent from last year plus signing 22 players from the Class of 2026, the Cajuns are hopeful to continue to build their roster with the a long offseason to go. Here’s a final roundup as of January 17 of UL football portal pickups and losses.

Louisiana football transfer portal additions

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Chikere was the fourth portal pickup for the Cajuns at the defensive lineman position. Last season for the Lions, he racked up 34 total tackles and a sack after appearing in 11 games. He has two years of eligibility after being rated a 3-star recruit out of high school by 247Sports.

LSU’s Prince Malbrue

The third portal pickup for the Cajuns is a local one in Lafayette Christian Academy alum Malbrue. The former LSU linebacker and will return to Lafayette after spending four years with the Tigers before two seasons at Northwestern State. This past season, he appeared in 12 games and finished with three total tackles.

Tarleton State’s Brodrick Stewart

The second addition from the portal comes out of Tarleton State in defensive lineman Stewart. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, he adds size to the line that would be lacking with the Cajuns graduating some starters from last season. He finished 2025 with six total tackles and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Tulane’s Jayce Mitchell

The first incoming transfer for the Cajuns addressed a group that needed more depth this past season on the offensive line. Former Tulane offensive tackle Jayce Mitchell announced his commitment to UL on January 5. At 6-5, 275, Mitchell was a three-star prospect according to 247Sports for the Class of 2024.

Louisiana football portal losses

Quarterback Walker Howard to Ole Miss
Wide receiver Charles Robertson
Defensive lineman Fitzgerald West
Cornerback Lorenzell Dubose
Running back Hutch Swilley to McNeese State
Offensive lineman Carter Milliron to Florida
Linebacker Trey Fite to UTSA
Running back Zylan Perry to Cincinnati
Running back Bill Davis to Virginia Tech
Offensive lineman Bryant Williams to Arkansas

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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Louisiana

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Published

12 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the nation. See the parish data.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths projected for 2026 for the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

In the U.S., there are approximately 116 new prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people annually. Louisiana has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate in the country at 147.2 cases per 100,000 — a rate that has been steadily rising since 2014, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

New prostate cancer drug can extend life expectancy by 8 months, Baton Rouge doctor says

These parishes had the highest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in descending order:

West Feliciana Parish with 218.6 cases per 100,000;
Iberville Parish with 182.3 cases per 100,000;
Bienville Parish with 179.7 cases per 100,000;
West Baton Rouge Parish with 179.4 cases per 100,000;
Vermillion Parish with 176.5 cases per 100,000;
Iberia Parish with 173.8 cases per 100,000;
East Baton Rouge Parish with 173.6 cases per 100,000;
East Carroll Parish with 172.9 cases per 100,000;
East Feliciana Parish with 166.3 cases per 100,000;
Tangipahoa Parish with 166.2 cases per 100,000;
St. Martin Parish with 166 cases per 100,000;
Jackson Parish with 165.3 cases per 100,000;
and Lincoln Parish with 165.1 cases per 100,000.

These parishes had the lowest rates, in cases per 100,000, of prostate cancer from 2018 to 2022, in ascending order:

Cameron Parish with 101 cases per 100,000;
Evangeline Parish with 102.7 cases per 100,000;
Union Parish with 106.9 cases per 100,000;
Winn Parish with 108.2 cases per 100,000;
Vernon Parish with 109.4 cases per 100,000;
Grant Parish with 109.7 cases per 100,000;
Franklin and La Salle parishes with 111 cases per 100,000;
St. Bernard Parish with 113.9 cases per 100,000;
Tensas Parish with 115.2 cases per 100,000;
Terrebonne Parish with 117.5 cases per 100,000;
Washington Parish with 121.1 cases per 100,000;
Livingston Parish with 122.8 cases per 100,000;
Sabine Parish with 122.9 cases per 100,000;
Bossier Parish with 123.7 cases per 100,000;
and La Fourche Parish with 124.8 cases per 100,000.

Data represents an annual average for all stages of prostate cancer.

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Louisiana

Shavers leads ULM past Louisiana 79-63

Published

24 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.

Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.

ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.

Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.

After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
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Louisiana

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

State Treasurer John Fleming accuses Jeff Landry of interfering in Louisiana Senate race

BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.

Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.

According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.

A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.

“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.

Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.

Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.

“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.

Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.

Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.

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