Louisiana

Louisiana football ends transfer portal period with more losses

Published

4 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 receives $18.9 million in FEMA grants for hurricane recovery

Published

1 hour ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana receives .9 million in FEMA grants for hurricane recovery

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana will receive $18.9 million in federal grants for hurricane recovery, Sen. John Kennedy announced Thursday (May 14).

Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will support disaster recovery efforts and repairs in communities impacted by Hurricanes Ida and Francine.

Kennedy said the funding will support Lafourche, Jefferson and Terrebonne parishes, as well as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

The grants include $8.8 million to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission for permanent repairs from Hurricane Ida.

Jefferson Parish will receive $5.3 million for management costs from Hurricane Ida.

Terrebonne Parish will receive $2.6 million for debris removal operations from Hurricane Francine.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive $2.2 million for debris removal operations from Hurricane Francine.

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Louisiana

Louisiana National Guard troops return to Washington for Trump task force

Published

13 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana National Guard troops return to Washington for Trump task force

Louisiana National Guard soldiers have been deployed to Washington, D.C., for a second time.
The deployment is part of a crime emergency declared by President Trump nine months ago.
About 125 soldiers will assist local police and the D.C. National Guard in a support role.
The soldiers will patrol high-traffic areas but will not have the authority to make arrests.

Louisiana National Guard soldiers have returned to Washington, D.C., on a second deployment as part of President Trump’s continued crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.

Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington nine months ago to trigger deployments of states’ National Guard troops to the capital.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry first sent a contingent of Louisiana soldiers to Washington in August 2025. Lt. Col. Noel Collins told USA Today Network on May 13 that all of those soldiers returned to Louisiana by the end of December.

Landry’s latest deployment of Louisiana soldiers includes about 125 who began assisting other soldiers and local police May 12.

Louisiana’s soldiers won’t make arrests, but they will patrol high-traffic areas while playing a supporting role for the D.C. National Guard and local police.

The White House has said its capital crime task force has made more than 12,000 arrests since August and seized thousands of illegal guns.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

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Louisiana

Louisiana students make biggest gains in nation

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana students make biggest gains in nation

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A new report shows Louisiana students are making some of the biggest gains in the country, with state education leaders celebrating the progress.

The newest national report card now ranks Louisiana 32nd in the nation, a jump from 49th in 2019.

“Louisiana is no longer about Louisiana simply believes, but for K-12 education, Louisiana achieves,” said state Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley.

The jump comes mainly from improved reading and math scores, making Louisiana the only state that has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Gov. Jeff Landry said the achievement comes at an opportune time for the generation to capitalize on economic developments coming to the state.

“These young men and women are going to get an opportunity we have never had. These kids get to grow up in a new Louisiana at a time when they are getting the education they need,” Landry said.

Brumley said the focus is now on attendance, more tutoring, higher teacher pay, and job readiness.

“Tutoring for every kid to get a little extra help if they need it; differentiated pay so we can target pay in a very precise way to those teachers doing great work for kids; and in the elevation in career and technical education,” Brumley said.

While leaders are celebrating, Brumley said the real work is keeping that momentum.

“Louisiana doesn’t have to be last. Indeed, we can be number one. We will continue to see great results,” Brumley said.

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