WILL UNSTOPPABLE
LSUReveille.com
WILL POWER
How years of hard work made Will Campbell LSU’s best player
BY JASON WILLIS @JasonWillis4
Will Campbell was skinny when he arrived in Baton Rouge.
Asked how much he squatted at that time, Campbell was embarrassed.
“I could probably squat maybe 400 pounds, maybe, on a good day, with a lot of smelling salts and caffeine,” he said eventually. Lately, he’s been maxing out at 616.
Campbell was then a top prospect out of Neville High in Monroe, Louisiana. You couldn’t miss him on a high school football field: his 6-foot-6 frame towered over the other athletes.
“I can’t hardly think of any times that he got beat,” said Chad Johnson, Neville’s offensive line coach.
Still, he was all length and no bulk. Campbell knew he needed to transform his body when he enrolled at LSU in the spring of 2022. By August, he’d gained 50 pounds.
Even as a true freshman playing one of the most difficult positions in sports – left tackle, which protects the quarterback’s blindside – he was named a starter for the Tigers.
His work ethic practically demanded it.
That work ethic that has made Campbell a player head coach Brian Kelly consistently points to as an example for other young members of the team.
“Across the board, with especially the younger players, can they be a Will Campbell?” Kelly said of how he’s evaluating the team’s newcomers. “Every day, when he was a freshman, you knew what you were going to get.”
Campbell makes it a point to emphasize to freshmen that the path to playing time is hard work, just the way he earned it.
“You’ve just got to come in here and work hard, just put your head down,” Campbell said. “At the end of the day, everything is in your hands… So do you want to talk about it or do you want to go do it?”
“When he says something, it’s got substance”
Campbell’s Southern drawl is the type you’d grow used to hearing at a Monroe corner store, but maybe not what you’d expect from someone who spends his Saturdays on national TV.
When you talk to him, it’s striking how humble and unassuming he is.
And yet, chances are that if you took a locker room poll of who the best player on LSU’s team is, the majority would say Campbell.
It’s not a hard conclusion to come to, even without witnessing how he throws pass-rushers to the ground, taking note of his uncommon quickness for his size or seeing how many sacks he’s allowed in his 1,687 snaps at LSU (only
three, and none since his freshman year).
All you’d have to look at is the number on his back on the practice field: No. 7.
It’s a number that looks so aesthetically odd on a lineman that you’d have to conclude that the guy who wears it is special.
The meaning behind it goes deeper; the number is annually given out to LSU’s most electric playmaker dating back to 2008 with All-American cornerback Patrick Peterson. In 2023, Campbell was the recipient.
However, due to NCAA rules, Campbell wears his normal No. 66 on game days, which perhaps better suits his low-key style.
Despite his quiet nature, Campbell is a confident leader, even dating back to his high school days. He makes his points in few words, but he has no problem offering praise or criticism.
“When he says something, it’s got substance,” Johnson said.
“I’m not going to be the guy that’s, you know, just talking to talk, because I don’t like those type of guys,” Campbell said. “When I say something, I want it to be meaningful.”
Campbell holds himself to a high standard. When he gets beat in a rep at practice, he makes sure it doesn’t happen twice. Losing is not an option.
“If he got beat, he’d kind of grit his teeth, set his jaw, and you know, he’d get back to work,” said former Neville head coach Mickey McCarty, now the school’s principal.
Campbell was once held out of a second round playoff game in his junior year with a groin injury, much to his agitation.
With Neville down 8-6 in the first half, he could no longer sit and watch.
“Will is going to the damn
bus, and he’s getting his stuff on,” Johnson remembers a coach saying in disbelief.
The coaches rushed to ask Campbell’s parents in the stands if it was okay if their son played through injury.
It wouldn’t have mattered what they said. Campbell was already gone.
Minutes later, he was in full pads and warming up on the sideline. He came out for the second half, and Neville won 19-15.
“I don’t like getting beat. It doesn’t sit right with me,” Campbell said. “I don’t like losing in any form or fashion.”
That attitude toward losing is why he’s been one of LSU’s most outspokenly dissatisfied players after back-to-back 10-win seasons in Kelly’s first two years.
“10 games is cool at other schools. Not here,” Campbell said. “10 games gets people fired.” “Our lives have been forever changed”
Campbell has always been a self-motivated player, but, this season, he’s playing for more.
In January, Campbell’s 16-yearold cousin, Tarver Braddock, passed as a result of a campfire accident. Their bond was tight-knit, and the loss affected Campbell deeply.
“Will and Tarver were like two peas in a pod,” Campbell’s mother Holly told the Reveille. “I don’t think anybody thought Tarver was funnier than Will. I would constantly be scolding them in church.”
“[Tarver] was a giver. He was a doer,” his mother Lindsey Braddock said to the North Delta Network. “He just loved to make people happy.”
In honor of Tarver, his parents, Brett and Lindsey, established the Tarver Braddock Foundation, whose mission is to spread “love,
B-16 Hodges Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, La. 70803
laughter and happiness through random acts of kindness,” paying respect to Tarver’s giving nature.
The foundation has hosted a home run derby, had the local baseball field named in his honor, gifted a car to a hearing-impaired student and donated thousands to local ministries and to students for scholarships, among many other charitable acts.
“We do anything and everything we can to keep his name alive and remembered,” Holly said.
In April, the foundation put on a football camp at Neville hosted by Campbell and several LSU teammates that had 145 attendees.
Even amidst tragedy, Campbell continues to uplift others in his community. Not unlike his teammates. Keeping that mindset despite his devastating loss required the same mental fortitude and commitment to growth that Campbell has always displayed.
Campbell keeps evolving and growing no matter what’s thrown at him, his coaches say, and so does his role on the team.
This year, with quarterback Jayden Daniels gone to the NFL, LSU will employ more of an outside zone running scheme that’ll require Campbell utilizing his athleticism to get out in space and run long distances to make blocks.
Beyond that, an offense with a lot of contributors taking on unfamiliar roles will need Campbell’s steady leadership.
But, as always, Campbell is prepared, and it’s his preparation that has him confident LSU will exceed the standard it’s set in the past two years.
Because when Will Campbell practices hard, the team takes notice and emulates it.
“I just got to come in and set the example by the way I approach every day,” Campbell said.
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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
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ABOUT THE REVEILLE
The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
LSU football sophomore left tackle Will Campbell (66) uplifts the crowd on Sept. 16 during LSU’s 41-14 win over Mississippi State in Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS.
RENOVATIONS
LSU converts Pentagon Community kitchens into dorm rooms
BY AIDAN ANTHAUME
@aidanth04
In response to a surge in freshman enrollment, the university has repurposed the kitchen spaces in the Pentagon Community into dormitory rooms.
This adjustment, made over the summer, is part of the university’s broader strategy to ensure that all students, particularly the influx of new freshmen, have access to housing on LSU’s campus.
“We saw over the summer that there was a great demand to attend LSU and to live on campus from incoming first-year students and continuing students,” said Catherine David, LSU’s associate director of communications and development for the Department of Residential Life. “We looked at different spaces on campus that we could use as student rooms. We had to think outside the box.”
The kitchens, previously equipped with basic amenities such as a stove, sink and microwave, have been renovated to include beds, desks and storage units. The original kitchen shelves were left in the rooms for resident storage.
Each new dorm room is designed to accommodate two students, doubling the capacity of the original space.
Despite the transformation, students still have access to kitchen facilities. “Every building has five vertical stacks; one stack in each building has a kitchen, and the other four stacks are student rooms,” David explained.
This ensures that while some kitchens have been converted, each building still retains at least
one communal kitchen space for residents to use.
“We want to make sure as many people can have the oncampus experience as possible while being safe and not compromising the quality,” David saved.
Ironically, the decision to repurpose these rooms isn’t entirely new. When the Pentagon
Community was first constructed in 1923, these spaces were originally designed as dormitories.
“The rooms were originally student rooms transformed into kitchens,” said David. Over time, the rooms were transformed into kitchens to serve the needs of students, only to be reverted to their original purpose almost two centuries later.
FACILITIES
Fire alarm leaves students waiting
BY COLIN FALCON & JOHN BUZBEE @nestingsnests & @thebuzzbuz
Well over 100 students clamored outside of Allen Hall as fire alarms sounded for around half an hour Wednesday morning, the third day of classes this fall.
Baton Rouge Fire Department firefighters cleared the building at around 9:40 a.m., allowing students and professors to return to their classes. Most had resumed by 9:50 a.m.
Before the alarms stopped, some students entered the building to check if their classes were still happening. Most left after seeing empty classrooms.
Dylan Gaspare, a pre-nursing freshman, stood in the 87 degrees Fahrenheit heat. He said he was confused and waiting without updates outside the building.
“I don’t know what happened; I haven’t heard a word from anyone,” Gaspare said. “Guess we’re just waiting to see what happens from this point on.”
As people began to pile back in, Gaspare was happy to finally get out of the heat.
“I think everybody’s happy now that they’re letting everybody in,” he said. “They don’t have to sweat anymore.”
The 459 Commons reopens for business after renovations
BY ALAYNA FORD
The 459 Commons officially reopened on Aug. 17 after being closed five months for renovation.
The dining hall has been revived with an open-concept floor plan and more dining options than before, aiming to immerse students in Louisiana culture and cuisine.
“I am most excited about the renovations being done,” Senior Executive Chef Jon Jackson said, “because it will be a unique blend of regional cuisine and international flavors that I think the students will love.”
The names of each food station are tied to Louisiana culture. For example, “Sweet Lagniappe,” the dessert station, features classic dishes such as beignets, king cake and Louisiana strawberry shortcake.
“I know there was not enough space to accommodate the amount of students that go in there,” accounting sophomore Sa’Naiya Williams said. “So I am happy that there’s more space for us.” The location has also
FRANCIS DINH/ The Reveille
The Pentagon sign sits, Oct. 5 on LSU’s campus.
@alayna_fordd
Gov. Landry signs executive order impacting non-citizen voting
BY CROSS HARRIS @thecrossharris POLITICS
An executive order signed on Monday by Gov. Jeff Landry took aim at the problem of non-American citizens who would attempt to vote in Louisiana.
Since 2022, only 48 non-citizens have been identified and removed from the state’s voter roll, according to Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry.
Landry’s executive order will require Louisiana agencies to accompany voter registration forms with a disclaimer explaining that it’s illegal for non-citizens to register to vote.
Familiar Territory
The order comes ahead of a fraught election season and just behind a slew of new state laws which advocacy groups agree will make voting in Louisiana more difficult.
Four of those laws have been
challenged in a federal lawsuit by a Louisiana organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities.
Act 380, sponsored by Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, prohibits a person from mailing an absentee ballot for more than one person who isn’t an immediate family member.
Act 317, by Rep. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen, prohibits a person from giving an absentee ballot to more than one person who isn’t an immediate family member.
The last two laws included in the suit, Act 307 by Kleinpeter and Act 712, by Rep. Polly Thomas, R-Metaire, prohibit a person from being a witness on an absentee ballot for more than one person who isn’t an immediate family member. Act 712 also requires witnesses to be over the age of 18.
Not included in the lawsuit, but similarly limiting is Act 701, also by Thomas, which requires organizations and individuals
who’d like to conduct voter registration drives to register with the Secretary of State’s office.
Election Integrity
Despite the Republican Legislature’s preoccupation with election integrity, Louisiana ranks among the country’s best when it comes to the issue of voting.
The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that originated the controversial Project 2025, ranked Louisiana as 10th in the nation for election integrity and No. 1 in the South for the 2020 presidential election.
Local advocacy organizations contend that the recent spate of laws are designed to skew election integrity rather than strengthen it.
“Unfortunately, I think that Louisiana’s Legislature has chosen to adopt policies that mirror states that are not doing everything possible to make voting easier, and that’s definitely concerning,” said Charles Phipps, senior director of the Urban League of
Louisiana, to the Times-Picayune.
“Some folks believe that if I can get less folks to vote, then I have a better chance of winning.”
Professor’s research reinforces sharing food as part of LA’s culture
BY GRACELYN FARRAR
@gracelynfarrar
Louisiana has a strong community surrounding food. It isn’t a well-kept secret. Many Louisianians have been sent home with a pound of frozen deer meat after visiting extended family, or have gone fishing in the summer and cooked the catch for dinner.
This culture of acquiring food from the earth has a name – subsistence food practices –and in Louisiana were the focus of three years of field work for Helen Regis. An associate professor of anthropology at LSU, Regis co-authored the recently published book “Bayou Harvest: Subsistence Practice in Coastal Louisiana” on her findings.
The project began shortly after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, with research focused in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. A lot of the research, she said, came from windshield surveys – otherwise known as stopping on the side of the road after the team saw something interesting.
Subsistence food practices contribute to food needs. In coastal communities like Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, this includes exchanges between gardeners, hunters, fishers, crabbers and shrimpers. Research revealed that people in these areas harvest and process 12 types of fish and 52 kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs in a single year.
And the term isn’t just reserved for living-off-the-land. Eating tomatoes grown from a neighbor’s backyard counts as subsistence. In fact, Regis concluded that subsistence food practices in Louisiana are both
ordinary and pervasive – and they are rooted deeply into Louisianian culture and identity.
The idea that harvesting is connected to family and community in complex ways kept cropping up throughout the whole project, Regis said.
“Subsistence is practiced by people who are first, second or third generation immigrants and people whose ancestors have lived in the state for generations,” Regis said.
While doing field work, she met an elderly Cajun couple who fish two or three times a week to cook the day’s supper and also to store in the freezer.
“They were regularly catching enough shrimp to have a fish fry for their eight children, 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren,” she said.
Biological engineering senior Anna Claire Ricks-Boyd’s great grandmother immigrated from the Canary Islands – “first gen Cajun,” she said. Her family started out hunting and fishing for their own food, “then it kind of just spread out from there.”
“It’s the idea that everyone is family,” she said, going on to say that the community supports those going through a hard time by offering food and resources.
It isn’t a rarity to hear an offer like, “We killed an alligator and we have way too much meat, so take some,” she said.
Ricks-Boyd thinks of tailgate culture in a similar way.
“You’ll meet somebody random at LSU and they’ll be like, come make a plate of food, come meet everybody, do you want a drink, do you want to hang out?” she said. “And that’s what I grew up in with food.”
Subsistence built ties in the Terrebonne and Lafourche par-
ish communities that are now fraying as the environment falters. Rapid environmental change threatens fishing, hunting, gardening and sharing, Regis said.
“The land is at risk,” she said, “and people’s ability to stay in communities where they’re able to do this is very much in question.”
A sudden change in subsistence practices goes beyond personal hunting and gathering and actually affects food security, informal economic systems and connections in the entire community of these areas.
One such area is Leeville in Lafourche Parish.
But the small community of Leeville, mostly based in hunting and fishing, has disappeared, said Keith Carruth, who runs a lawn maintenance company in Baton Rouge and fishes in the fall and winter in Leeville.
There used to be camps, he said, where now there are only one or two. Hurricane Ida “totally scrubbed the area.”
“Big ships, upside down. I mean, I’m talking about 100foot vessels upside down in the middle of Bayou Lafourche from that hurricane,” Carruth said. “Camps were removed from their foundations.”
Carruth said that since Ida, most anyone that comes into Leeville does so in a trailer, and the lack of permanent residences has affected the economy in the area. Insurance companies aren’t writing coverage for property down there, he said, so hurricane relief didn’t do much to save the community.
“When I go fishing down there, I look out to the west: Little Lake, Pelican Pass, Timbalier Bay,” Carruth said. “And I can
LSU Science Café event held once a month.
actually start to see the water, which is chilling. It used to be that you had land bridges, but you can almost start to see the Gulf.”
“So the next hurricane that heads that way,” Carruth said, then stopped. “It’s going to continue to happen.”
For these storm-battered communities, the effects of a changing environment can extend beyond initial impact and affect family and community connections, but also cultural identity.
Subsistence is central to people’s identities in Louisiana, Regis said. “Identity is connected to place, as well as a sense of where you belong and what community you’re a part of,” she said.
“We recognize that there can be multiple meaningful ways of growing and exchanging food,” Regis read in an excerpt from the book, adding, “and in fact, it is crucial that we take these practices seriously as doing things otherwise can provide a vision for the future.”
CROSS HARRIS / The Reveille
Gov. Jeff Landry, next to Attorney General Liz Murrill, signs an executive order that will require Louisiana agencies to accompany voter registration forms with a disclaimer explaining it’s illegal for non-citizens to vote. This, at the Louisiana State Capitol on Aug. 26.
GRACELYN FARRAR / The Reveille Helen Regis presents her book “Bayou Harvest” at the Varsity Theatre Tuesday night at the
The Reveille Sports Staff predicts LSU football’s 2024 record
JASON WILLIS @JasonWillis4 10-2 1 1-1
It isn’t hard to sell yourself into thinking LSU will be a Playoff team this year. The offense has reloaded, and the change in defensive intensity is palpable. The depth LSU has at linebacker, on the edge of the defensive line and in the secondary seems like it could make a serious difference.
However, I find myself thinking people are forgetting that not every great SEC team can make the Playoff or be a 10-win team. Teams like Ole Miss, Texas, Missouri, Georgia and Alabama all look like serious contenders for the conference crown or a CFP bid.
I’m skeptical LSU can emerge from that group. However, head coach Brian Kelly has overachieved relative to expectations in each of his first two seasons with LSU. I wouldn’t bet against it happening again, but I certainly wouldn’t feel confident projecting the Tigers as a surefire Playoff team.
TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8 9 -3
LIZZIE FALCETTI @lizziefalcetti
Brian Kelly enters his third season with the Tigers, and after two 10-win seasons, he’s now tasked with taking this team to the expanded playoffs.
LSU’s Achilles’ heel last season was its defense. This year, however, the Tigers have all new staff on the defense. There’s hope this year with the secondary, led by Major Burns at the star position.
When looking at the talent on this team, my attention was mostly drawn to the trenches. LSU has one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country, bookended with left tackle Will Campbell and right tackle Emery Jones Jr. On the defensive side, the pass rush and run coverage is extremely improved with talented linebackers and tackles.
I think the Tigers will start the season strong with a 5-0 start and then receive their first loss against Ole Miss. LSU will bounce back, but lose at home against Alabama. The Tigers could then receive an at-large bid to the playoffs with these two losses against skillful teams.
It’s year three of the Brian Kelly era at LSU, and back-to-back 10-win seasons has the program in a good place. And now with a 12-team playoff, the opportunities for a national title are more convincing.
Even with the obstacles presented in LSU’s way, there are advantages that could be deciding factors.
For starters, the Tigers have Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma all at home. I think the Tigers fall to Alabama but pull off close wins over Ole Miss and Oklahoma.
I think the Tigers’ second loss comes on the road. Over the past three seasons, LSU has lost a conference game on the road. I don’t think the streak ends this season, and I think the Tigers will drop their road matchup against Texas A&M.
LSU’s offense will need to thrive for that not to happen, as Aggies’ head coach Mike Elko is defensive-minded. But I ultimately think the Tigers come up short in a close one.
AVA HEBERT @avahebe8
Although LSU lost its Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, Garrett Nussmeier will start the season with a shocking performance, proving that he’s equally as talented as his predecessor.
The Tigers will start the season with a five-game winning streak, dominating USC, Nicholls, South Carolina, UCLA and South Alabama. With a newly structured defense and Nussmeier as a leader on offense, the Tigers will be close to unstoppable.
Their supremacy will only come to an end against Ole Miss. Ole Miss’ rivalry with LSU is always a highly anticipated one and is relatively back-and-forth. With Ole Miss returning 16 starters and a veteran quarterback, the Tigers will struggle to outscore the Rebels.
Besides the week seven loss, the Tigers will end the season without a hitch. They’ll pull off the upset against Alabama, dominate Florida and easily outscore Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
ENTERTAINMENT
LSU Tiger fans share their fondest gameday tailgating tales
BY EMILY BRACHER @emily_bracher_
The fall semester is here, and you know what that means: it’s time to tailgate. The SEC brings in fans from all over the country to set up their tents days in advance and watch the LSU Tigers play in Death Valley.
Not only does tailgating bring good vibes and hype up fans for the game, it brings people together. There’s something to enjoy whether you’re a third generation LSU student or a first generation college student.
From the Parade Ground to the 50 yard line, there’s no place like Baton Rouge on a Saturday night.
While it’s usually families, students and alumni partying in their designated tents, Taylor Davlin found herself upon the threshold of the tailgate of a very popular fast food chain: Taco Bell. It was during the Army vs. LSU game in October 2023 that the public relations junior found the tailgate and ordered herself a Doritos Locos Taco.
“I really hope that they come back this season,” Davlin said.
One of the most predominant spots to tailgate is the Parade Ground, which is where you can find Allison Antoon. This is a hotspot for all students as the LSU fraternities set up their tailgates here. Antoon said her favorite spot is right by Tiger Stadium because not only is it full of fond memories, but it’s right near the Kona Ice Truck.
“This spot has seen me in so many stages of my life,” Antoon said. “From age five to now 21, I have changed so much, but the undying love and memories LSU has given me remains.”
Nikhia Sims, better known as Miss LSU 2024, was lucky enough to have her own family tailgate near the stadium last year. The kinesiology junior said that she hopes it becomes a tradition over the years that she can share with her family and friends.
“My favorite part about my family’s tailgate is all of the delicious food that they made,” Sims said.
Digital advertising senior Mary Dum’s favorite place to tailgate is “near the roundabout with the decorative trucks and vans.” She said that they always play good music and always give people food, whether you’re family or not.
“I literally high-fived this older lady and she gave me a plate of boudin balls,” Dum said
Emele Renderos doesn’t even attend LSU, but the Montclair State University student said tailgates are definitely worth the travel because the energy is unmatched and the fans are even crazier. Through this, she’s able to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones all with the same goal: winning.
“My favorite tailgating memory was reconnecting with family and friends as we prepared to cheer on our Tigers,” Renderos said.
Whether you’re fresh on campus as a freshman at LSU or you graduated in 1976, there’s always a spot for you to tailgate and cheer on the LSU Tigers. Look out for your favorite clubs’ tents and don’t be afraid to make a new friend this season, as you never know where the Saturday night might take you.
“Nothing beats the uniquely interesting people that you will find on the Parade Ground,” Dum said.
According to the official LSU athletics webpage, tailgating set up can start the day before each game at 5 p.m. For more detailed policies, visit the LSU athletics website.
This political cartoonist has become a Baton Rouge legend
BY TOREY BOVIE
Keith Van Douglas, 71, sits at the diner table and draws out one of his latest ideas. There are four sketchbooks spread across the table amongst an assortment of coffee mugs and opened sugar packets. Some may just see a man sketching, but to many, he’s an artistic legend calledl “Cartoon Man.”
Douglas puts his pencil down and turns his notepad around. A half-traced page shows a whimsically shaped popcorn bucket with red, white and blue stripes.
“I’m gonna call this one ‘Propaganda Popcorn’,” Douglas said with a sly smile and laugh.
Douglas is an artist and political cartoonist from New Orleans who has lived in Baton Rouge for 24 years. He’s done work for the Baton Rouge Business Report, The Times-Picayune and more. Douglas said he’s taught art for about 40 years, including classes at McKinley High School and summer programs at LSU.
Douglas said throughout his career he’s become used to backlash and negative messages because of his political content. He said one social media user once threatened to come to Louisiana and “kick his butt.”
“He was all the way in Ne -
braska or something,” Douglas said. “I replied to him; Man! Your tractor can go that far?”
Douglas calls himself “R.A.S.C.A.L,” an acronym for raw and satirical cartoonist at large. He’s become known for his witty and multi-layered images. One of his political cartoons depicts government officials in lingerie dancing around an enlarged man with money in his hands as he smokes a cigar. Douglas titled this “Legislative Lap Dance For The Rich.”
“I believe all artists can culturally change perspective,” Douglas said. “We’re supposed to do it.”
Douglas said he became passionate about political cartoons because of his father who was a social studies teacher and minister. He also illustrates children’s books and animated shorts. With his lengthy career, some people say he’s a man whose pencil never stops moving.
Beth Hanning, an associate of Gallery Rinard in New Orleans, said the store has been selling work by Douglas for over 10 years.
“He’s just so talented and generous with his art,” Hanning said. “It’s like that man does not stop drawing. He’s always creating something.”
Hanning said Douglas’ art sells relatively fast because he makes a lot of smaller pieces that are good for grab-and-go. One particular series of pieces that Hanning referenced was “Booze Birds.” These paintings depict vibrant colored cartoon birds holding different alcoholic drinks.
Intoxicated birds aren’t the only characters he has in store. Douglas said the animals and people he creates come with backstories and these stories are often rooted in New Orleans or Black culture, he said.
“Calliope Cat’’ is a feline from New Orleans who knows how to second-line with the best of them, Douglas said. He flips through another sketchbook. There are dozens of sketches with animals in fine suits holding instruments.
Douglas said he loves the use of alliteration in his work. Whether it’s a character like “Ricochet the Rattlesnake” or “Alligator Anny,” Douglas never fails to put together catchy names. He said these names push viewers to remember the work more because of the ways we naturally pick up the rhythm of alliterations.
Douglas currently teaches art at Central High School in Baton Rouge. He said his passions for
spreading artistry to the youth drive him. It was a former student of his who gave him the name “Cartoon Man.”
Douglas said he once taught a cartoon summer camp hosted by LSU. He said one kid in particular would see him and say, “There’s that cartoon man!”
“Before then, I was ‘Marshall Quickdraw.’ I would come dressed up in a cowboy outfit and stuff, ya know,” Douglas said.
Douglas still has students who remember him and his work years after teaching them. Elizabeth Walker, owner of Elizabethan Gallery in Baton Rouge, said she’s been showcasing art from Douglas for about 10 years.
Walker said the gallery gets many customers who remember being taught by Douglas in either middle school or high school. She said, in some cases, this leads some of his former students to buy a piece right there.
Walker was drawn to Douglas’ art because it offered the gallery more variety with its musical and southern themes, she said.
“Sometimes in this art world, artists can get a little above themselves or finicky,” Walker said. “But Keith has never been like that, even though he sells so well.”
Douglas’ wife, Terri Douglas, said she’s seen his passion for art throughout their years together. It’s actually one of the things that attracted her to Douglas when they first started dating.
“He would take me with him when he would do caricatures at festivals and events,” Terri Douglas said. “I would just see him drawing and think, this man is drawing too fast!”
Douglas said he wants to work on more of his own independent projects in the future. He said he wants to make sure to have something that can grow in the long term. Douglas flips through his sketchbooks to find another character.
“This one is ‘Brother With a Brain,’” Douglas said.
The picture depicts a man with a large brain in the shape of an afro. Douglas said he plans to use this character for a citywide mural project. Each neighborhood would have a different mural of Brother With a Brain and each one will have some sort of social commentary written on it, he said.
Douglas said it’s always his goal to push the boundaries. He said that’s where the fun in all of it is. He traces out a few more lines, closes his sketchbook and smiles.
FALL CAMP REVIEW
LSU football prepares for upcoming season on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in Baton Rouge.
Photos by Emily Boudreaux
LSU football redshirt junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) passes the ball over redshirt safety Kylin Jackson (23)
LSU football freshman defensive tight end Dominick McKinley (96) and freshman defensive tight end Joey August (87) run tackle drill
LSU football redshirt junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) hands the ball to 5th-year senior running back Josh Williams (27)
LSU football 5th-year punter Blake Ochsendorf (99) punts the ball
LSU football senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson (13) attempts to reach the running back
LSU football sophomore tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton (88) jumps to catch the ball as freshman safety Ju’Juan Johnson (24) attempts to break up the pass
LSU football freshman running back Caden Durham (29) runs the ball.
LSU football head coach Brian Kelly
How patience paid off for these two QBs set to face off in 2024
BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8
Playing behind a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback requires patience.
It’s like seeing someone you know get to drive a fancy car many times, but you only get to drive it once in a while.
For LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and USC’s Miller Moss, the times behind the wheel have been sparse.
“It wasn’t his car. He was driving that thing fast, and he didn’t care if he dented it,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. “It’s his car now, and he’s really careful that he doesn’t mess it up.”
But now, after several years of patience, both finally have the keys to the car.
The two quarterbacks got time to shine in their respective bowl games last season before becoming full-time starters.
In LSU’s win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, Nussmeier stole the show, completing 31 of 45 attempts for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think Garrett Nussmeier is going to be one of the all-time
sleepers in college football this year,” Nick Saban said on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday.
For Moss, it was the same tale, as he put the nation on notice with 23 completions on 33 attempts for 372 yards and six touchdowns.
To say there was lots building up to those moments would be an understatement.
Nussmeier came to LSU as a four-star recruit out of Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. He backed up Max Johnson his true freshman season, where he appeared in four games.
In LSU’s 16-13 overtime loss to Arkansas in 2021, Nussmeier replaced Johnson to potentially provide a spark. He completed 18 of his 31 pass attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown.
However, the at-the-time true freshman quarterback threw an interception to put Arkansas in a position to win the game. And that the Razorbacks did, as a 37yard field goal from Arkansas’ Cam Little sealed the win.
“He understands that he can’t put the ball in the other team’s hands,” Kelly said. “I just think it’s being a starter, understand-
ing how important it is and recognizing that taking care of the football is absolutely crucial to our success.”
Nussmeier came back to LSU after his true-freshman season, and Johnson opted to take his career to Texas A&M.
But when Johnson went out, Jayden Daniels came in.
With his valuable experience at Arizona State and considerable production there, Daniels was named the starter after a fall camp competition.
As Daniels made his transition into the LSU system over time, Nussmeier stayed ready. For his sophomore season, he appeared in eight games, including LSU’s SEC Championship loss to Georgia.
In that 50-30 loss to the Bulldogs, Nussmeier completed 15 of 27 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in LSU’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over Purdue.
Daniels was set to return to LSU for the 2023 season, and some LSU fans thought Nussmeier may decide to enter the transfer portal; his time was
running out, and his sample size of playing time was small.
But he stayed, and he continued to wait for his number to be called.
This past season, Nussmeier appeared in five regular season games, including LSU’s 42-28 loss to Alabama.
However, when Daniels opted out of the Tigers’ bowl game amid his efforts of preparing for the NFL Draft, Nussmeier’s number was called.
“Having a quarterback that has been in the system for the last couple of years, that knows what it looks like, what it’s like to be in an SEC battle, and has played in a game against a pretty darn good defense,” Kelly said. “Those things make you feel a little bit more at ease going into these games.”
It was an opportunity he waited almost three years for and an opportunity to solidify his future as LSU’s next starting quarterback. And he took it and ran with it.
Miller Moss spent his freshman season as USC’s third-string quarterback, backing up Kedon Slovis, now with the Indianapolis Colts, and Jaxson Dart, now
with Ole Miss. He appeared in just one game, completing 8 of his 13 pass attempts for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Similarly to Nussmeier, when Slovis and Dart both transferred, Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, came in.
During Williams’ standout season in 2022 and his struggles to defend his trophy in 2023, Moss was there to witness it all, mostly from the sidelines. He appeared in three games in 2022 and another four games in 2023.
Like Daniels, Williams chose to sit out USC’s bowl game. And when it was Moss’ turn, he took advantage.
For both Nussmeier and Moss, lots of patience, faith and trust led to Sunday’s matchup in Las Vegas.
It’s very fitting that, in almost parallel experiences, the two quarterbacks will meet with one another when it’s finally their turn to drive their cars and lead their teams.
And now, while they’ll appreciate the effort it took to get there, they’re ready to get on the road and start driving.
GRAPHIC BY JACOB CHASTANT
FIRST GAME BLUES
LSU has lost four straight openers. Here’s how they can
BY CABE BOND @PrezBond
With eight seconds remaining and 10 points behind, the Tigers chances of victory became a fleeting thought.
Myles Brennan, then quarterback for LSU, launched a hail mary.
“And Mississippi State has pulled off an upset on the road!” The announcer’s voice rang through the hollow broadcast, piercing the fanbase’s heart.
Some decided this was a “National Championship hangover,” while others viewed this as the start to a bad season. However, nobody presumed that this game in 2020 would be the start of a years-long week one losing streak.
The following year, the Tigers would open their season on the road against UCLA, resulting in yet another loss.
After a heartbreaking 2021 season, which concluded with the C third most losses in school history, LSU had decided to reshape its identity. On Oct. 17, 2021, the university announced it reached a mutual parting agreement with then head coach Ed Orgeron. By the season’s conclusion, the Ti-
fix it
gers were a shell of their former selves.
The team would announce Brian Kelly as its next head coach. While fans weren’t overwhelmingly excited, especially with how bare the team was entering the off-season, the program had a new identity - and one that was easy to rally behind.
Kelly’s tenure as head coach,
so far, has been a major success. He’s produced back-to-back 10win seasons, and led the Tigers to finishing 1ranked No. 17 & 13, respectively. Despite several hurdles, including a depleted roster his first season and a dubious defense in his second, he’s found ways to be successful.
However, the biggest hurdle Kelly now has to overcome is the
program’s week one performances. He’s started 0-1 in each season with the Tigers, with both losses coming from a stacked Florida State team.
With kickoff drawing closer and closer, LSU will need to be exceptional against a tough USC team, especially if they want to
LSU VS. USC, page 13
LSU’s defenders to watch this season
BY AVA HERBERT @avahebe4
To most schools, a 10-win season would be considered a success. But at LSU, it results in coaches fired, players entering the transfer portal and upset fans.
With Heisman winner Jayden Daniels at quarterback and LSU ranked first in points per game average, it’s obvious that LSU’s defense was its Achilles’ heel in the 2023 season. But after hiring new defensive coordinator Blake Baker, both fans and players are hoping for the Tigers to return to their usual state of dominance.
While the 2023 defense played a lot of deep coverage with few blitz attempts, Baker is changing the landscape. He’s creating a more aggressive defense, complete with more man-to-man coverage.
After an intense fall camp, LSU’s defense had a number of standout players that are expected to see the field against USC on Sunday.
The next chapter: Analyzing LSU’s offense ahead of opener
BY LIZZIE FALCETTI @lizziefalcetti
Baton Rouge knows what it’s like to lose a Heisman-winning quarterback.
The fans know what it’s like to ride the highest highs, seeing a great playmaker take an offense and turn it into a highlight reel. They’ve witnessed second-string backups turn into Heisman winners.
But, with that success also comes knowing what happens next: change.
In 2020, it was seeing Joe Burrow go onto the Bengals and Myles Brennan step in. Now, the city says goodbye to Jayden Daniels, and change is here again.
The new starter, however, is no stranger to Baton Rouge.
Garrett Nussmeier, in his third season with the Tigers, has waited patiently for his moment in the spotlight. He appeared in 18 games and had a solid bowl-game performance against Wisconsin last season, throwing 395 yards with three touchdowns.
He’ll have his first starting debut against USC on Sunday in a highly anticipated week-one matchup in Las Vegas.
With his experience in the purple and gold, Nussmeier has taken away some worry from head coach Brian Kelly.
“I would say that having a quarterback that has been in the sys -
tem for the last couple of years and knows what it looks like, what it’s like to be in an SEC battle, and has played in a game against a pretty darn good defense,” Kelly said. “I think those things make you feel a little bit more at ease going into these games.”
LSU’s offense returns formidable talent, but change occurred in more areas than just the quarterback position.
The Tigers promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan to offensive coordinator this offseason. New co-offensive coordinator Cortez Hankton has also been with LSU’s offense, most recently as a passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.
Looking at LSU’s receivers, Kyren Lacy has the potential to be the best in the conference. He led the offense in yards per catch last season with 18.6.
The Tigers lost two talented receivers in the 2024 draft. To replace them, LSU has redshirt sophomore Aaron Anderson who appeared in 11 games last season and recruited Liberty transfer CJ Daniels. Both will be key in putting up a strong pass attack.
Wide receiver Chris Hilton, who’s questionable for Sunday’s game because of an ankle bone bruise, will be a threat on the outside this season.
While these are notable names in the receiver’s room, Sloan said
this position has depth, and guys can be moved around.
“There’s more than just those three (Lacy, Daniels, Hilton) who have been flashing in different ways,” Sloan said in a press conference during fall camp. “It’s definitely a fun three guys, but I think it goes much deeper than those three.”
The tight ends offer more pass options for LSU this season, and the Tigers have the opportunity to use 12 or 13 personnel.
Tight end Mason Taylor is the returning leader in receptions, but Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Trey’Dez Green also offer versatile playmaking as blockers and receivers.
“That group is one of the most exciting groups on our football team,” Sloan said in a press conference.
Last season, LSU’s offensive attack stemmed from Jayden Daniels and running back Logan Diggs’ rushing ability.
Without a scrambling quarterback like Daniels, the running backs will see an increase in workload.
Sophomore running back Kaleb Jackson is physical with speed. Last year, he trucked a Mississippi State defender in one of his first games. While the Tigers have the ability to change out rushers, Jackson will be necessary to break through defenses and create explosive runs.
Running back Josh Williams,
who was a part of the 2019 national championship team, had 14 receptions last season and can be another target for Nussmeier.
The success of these running backs begins with the offensive line, and LSU has one of the most talented fronts to open gaps and protect the quarterback.
Left tackle Will Campbell will likely be a top-10 pick in the 2025 draft, and left guard Garret Dellinger is a versatile lineman who can play all over the offensive line.
The only new starter on the line is redshirt freshman DJ Chester. He can play center and guard for the Tigers.
Right tackle Emery Jones Jr. is forceful on the line and mirrors Campbell’s attack on the other side. Having one of the best offensive lines is crucial for a new starting quarterback who is building consistency in the pocket. This offense is mixed with new starters and experienced returners. While Baton Rouge got used to cheering for the No. 1 offense in the country last year, these changes offer hope for another promising season.
Nussmeier and the rest of the offense will prove their mettle on Sunday, and first impressions mean everything.
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
LSU football redshirt sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) throws a pass down field on Jan. 1 during LSU’s 35-31 victory against Wisconsin in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl.
EMILY BOURDREAUX / The Reveille LSU football senior offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (72) prepares to snap the ball during the LSU Fall Camp practice on Aug. 17, in Baton Rouge.
Starting on the right foot: Three keys for the Tigers in week one
BY TRE ALLEN @reday0314
As LSU football gets ready to take the field against USC in week one, it’s trying to avoid losing five straight season openers.
To prevent another loss, there are three responsibilities that the Tigers will have to focus on to start the season 1-0.
Get off the field
Last season, the Tiger’s defense was one of the worst in recent history. A key contributing factor was not getting off the field on third down and forcing punts.
LSU ranked No. 120 last year for its opponent’s third-down conversion percentage at 46.30%. The defense also ranked No. 111 for opponent third down conversions per game, as they gave up around six third-down conversions to the opposing team.
However, the past is behind them. The Tigers brought in a brand-new defensive staff, including former Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
A change had to be made with their defensive unit after what happened last season. A scheme with more aggressive play calling that puts players in the right spot will not only help the team succeed but the players as well.
With two talented offenses, consisting of numerous playmakers, this game is expected to be high-scoring. Defensive stops could be rare in this game, so when the opportunity presents itself to get off the field on third down, the Tigers must take advantage if they want to change the narrative from last season.
Don’t lean away from the run
The Tigers’ running game has not been very impactful these past couple of seasons. Except for
turn the tables on their week one success.
The Tigers and Trojans are vaguely similar teams, but LSU should leave Las Vegas with a win if they attack these key matchups.
For starters, USC’s defense was objectively bad last year. While the Trojans moved on from former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, the program still has a lot of work ahead of them.
Their defense allowed 34.4 points per game last year, ranking them 121st out of 133 eligible D1 programs. To put that into perspective for LSU fans, the Tigers allowed 28.0 PPG, which ranked 82nd out of 133 eligible D1 programs.
LSU’s defense wasn’t good last year that’s a given. However, USC’s defense was significantly worse.
It’s worth noting both programs have taken a step forward, with the Tigers hiring of Blake Baker and the Trojans’ acquisition of D’anton Lynn. Ironically, both programs opted to hire from a conference rival. However, while
former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who accumulated over 2000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns during his two seasons with the Tigers, a running back has not had a season over 700 yards since Tyrion Davis-Price in 2021.
The leading rusher at running back last season, Logan Diggs, transferred to Ole Miss during the offseason, and now the running back room consists of Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson, John Emery and Caden Durham.
Williams has shown the most consistency out of the backfield and will most likely be the starter as he enters his sixth season with the Tigers.
Jackson has shown great potential with the few touches he got last season. The mix of speed and power has caught the eyes of many who are wondering what he’ll do this season.
Emery is coming back for his fifth year after suffering an ACL injury toward the end of last season, and Durham is a true freshman with tremendous speed.
On top of that, this will be Nussmeier’s first season as the starting quarterback. He will have numerous receiving options, such as Kyren Lacy, Mason Taylor and CJ Daniels, but to take some stress off of him, they will still need to find a balance between their passing offense and their rushing offense.
The Tigers will need to lean on one of these backs to ease Nussmeier into the game and allow the offense to not become predictable and stagnant.
That’s especially true now that Daniels is gone and that extra pair of legs the Tigers had the past two seasons is no longer here.
The offense has switched drastically for LSU over the years,
both teams are headed in the right direction, the Trojans have a far greater distance to cover.
USC’s defense had a lot of holes that had to be addressed.
Five of their 11 starters are new transfers, with four being seniors— including three redshirt seniors.
On top of that, their passing defense has essentially been gutted. With the loss of Calen Bullock, the Trojans had three defensive back spots that needed to be filled. The program’s openings at starting cornerback, strong safety and free safety are all expected to be filled by incoming transfers.
The lack of chemistry within the defense, specifically their passing game, is going to be a major point of emphasis for LSU.
The Tigers starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is no stranger to picking apart defenses and should he play the way he did in the SEC Championship, USC will have no answer for the Tigers.
The Trojans play their best defense near the line of scrimmage, with a front four headlined by defensive tackle Bear Alexander.
becoming a more pass-dominant offense with great quarterbacks leading the way, such as Daniels and Joe Burrow.
The scheme stays the same when it comes to Garrett Nussmeier. He presents exceptional arm talent and can make many throws that not many other quarterbacks can make. However, sometimes that can get him in trouble taking risky shots down the field.
Take care of the football
In the last four-season openers, LSU has turned the ball over a total of seven times, including two turnovers in three out of the
four games.
Last year against Florida State, it was an early muffed punt by Aaron Anderson in the first quarter that gave the Seminoles the ball in LSU territory. However, the Seminoles didn’t score on the following drive.
Later in the third quarter, Daniels threw an interception as LSU was trailing 17-24 and marching down the field.
The Tigers gave the ball away twice and wasted two opportunities to put points on the board. All four previous opening matchups could’ve ended differently if the Tigers simply took care of the football, whether it was on spe -
cial teams or offense.
USC has a creative offense that can put up points even with the loss of key players like Caleb Williams, Brendan Rice and Tahj Washington. With one of the most electric players in the country Zachariah Branch on their team, LSU can’t give the Trojans extra possessions in this game.
In the few games that Nussmeier has played in his career, he has already thrown seven interceptions. While Nussmeier does possess extraordinary arm talent, he is going to need to be careful with the ball and with his decision-making to lead the Tigers to a win.
He’s expected to be a day one pick, and his three fellow lineman all have the potential to join him.
Defensive tackle Nate Clifton transferred in this year from Vanderbilt where he produced 5.5 sacks, including recording at least a half-sack in four consecutive games against Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss and Auburn.
Both of the Trojans defensive ends are on the cusp of being a relatively early pick. Anthony Lucas was the eighth-ranked defensive linemen in his class and is looking to break out this season. Opposite of him is edge Jamil Muhammad, who was arguably USC’s most productive player last year, recording 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
The Trojans have an incredibly talented defensive line, one that should be able to apply plenty of pressure this year. Unfortunately, the Tigers could be their kryptonite.
LSU’s offensive line is arguably the best in the nation. The starting tackles are both expected to be top-20 picks, with Will Campbell being hailed as a consensus top-10 pick.
The interior is equally as talented; offensive guards Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger are both expected to be mid-round selections in the NFL Draft. The offensive line’s weakest point is its new starting center, who is a 6-foot-6, 322 pound redshirt freshman, DJ Chester.
The offensive line is technically and physically sound. Every starter is at least 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds. Even the depth is sound, with Weston Davis, Tyree Adams and Cohen Echols headlining the twos.
Brad Davis has built a wall with almost no cracks; if the Tigers can minimize the pass rush, USC’s defense would be stranded. In comparison, the Trojans’ offensive line might be the weakest spot of their offense.
USC has uncertainties at almost every position on their offensive line, excluding center.
Starting right tackle Mason Murphy recorded a 56.9 overall PFF grade last year, and beside him, starting right guard Alani Noa finished his debut with a 48.4 overall PFF grade. While Noa had limited snaps last year as a true
freshman, his display was overall disappointing. The left side of their line isn’t much better either, with an inexperienced left tackle and inconsistent left guard.
The Tigers defensive line might not be as loaded as the Trojans, but they still have firepower. Harold Perkins is a threat wherever he lines up and passrushers Da’Shawn Womack and Bradyn Swinson both have highly anticipated 2024 campaigns. This means they have plenty of players to apply pressure to star quarterback Miller Moss.
LSU is facing a tough USC team, but the program should find success through mitigating its opponents defense’s strengths and exploiting the Trojans lack of defensive chemistry.
If the Tigers can take care of business offensively, they should be able to rely on their defensive pressure to disrupt Moss and decrease the efficiency of the rungame. And if Moss is unable to minimize the pressure he’s facing, the Tigers should leave Las Vegas with a solid victory - finally breaking their week one loss streak.
EMILY BOURDREAUX / The Reveille
LSU football redshirt junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) hands the ball to sophomore running back Kaleb Jackson (28) during the LSU Fall Camp practice on Aug. 13 in Baton Rouge.
LSU VS. USC, from page 12
DEFENSE, from page 12
Bradyn Swinson
Swinson secured a starting spot at defensive end alongside senior Sai’vion Jones.
After spending three seasons at Oregon, Swinson made his name known in his first season with the purple and gold. He led the Tigers in quarterback hurries with nine in 2023. Now an experienced veteran, Swinson’s play style fits in perfectly with Baker’s new defensive strategy.
With most teams focused on Harold Perkins, Swinson could potentially bring in more sacks and have a better avenue to rush opposing quarterbacks.
Jacobian Guillory
Guillory is a veteran on the defensive front for the Tigers as he enters his fifth year in purple and gold. Nearing the 2024 season, Guillory continues to mature on the field as well as off.
“He’s always been a big, strong player inside, but he’s really really matured off the field,” Baker said. “He’s becoming a vocal leader in a positive way so it’s been really cool to see that standpoint. But I feel really good about him inside.”
Different players were thrown into the defensive tackle mix during fall camp, but Guillory continued to be the player that head coach Brian Kelly turned to.
“He’s played a lot of football,”
Baker said. “He understands block recognition. He does a good job of getting the calls and executing the call… I’m really happy with Jacobian and love what he’s doing out there on the field.”
Da’Shawn Womack
Womack is second on the depth chart and expected to rotate in with defensive ends. His elite performance in fall camp has fans excited for his 2024 debut against USC.
The 260-pound sophomore appeared in 12 games in the 2023 season, creating chaos for opposing offenses. The former five-star recruit took major strides in his freshman year and is expected to be a leading pass rusher in the 2024 season.
Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins has been nothing short of exceptional for the Tigers’ defense. He was picked to wear No. 7, symbolizing his explosiveness.
“Seven represents a great history and tradition,” Kelly said. “It’s more about a player that has roots in the state of Louisiana.”
Perkins set the bar high in the 2023 season, leading the Tigers in tackles for loss for the second consecutive year and recording 75 tackles with 5.5 sacks. Coaches and fans alike expect a similar, if not better, performance this year.
“He’s doing an unbelievable job,” Baker said. “Harold Perkins
right now is playing on fire.”
Baker isn’t tying Perkins down on the inside though. He’s utilizing him in all areas of the field.
“We’re moving him around, so he’s not just playing on the inside,” Baker said. “He’s as fit for the run as anyone else.”
Perkins will act as the backbone of the Tigers’ defense. After two seasons of experience earned him a plethora of awards, Perkins is entering the 2024 season with all eyes on him.
“He’s an ascending player,” Baker said. “I really think he’s not even scratching the surface of where he’s going to be.”
Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 during LSU’s 42-30 win against Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium.
MADALYN CUNNIGNHAM / The Reveille
LSU football junior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (4) looks out onto the field during the LSU Spring Football game on April 13 in Tiger Stadium.
EMILY BOURDREAUX / The Reveille LSU football senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson (13) attempts to reach the quarterback during the LSU Fall Camp practice on Aug. 17.
MORGAN COOK / The Reveille LSU football junior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory (90) yells in celebration
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille LSU football freshman defensive end Da’Shawn Womack (16) celebrates a defensive stop on Jan. 1 during LSU’s 35-31 victory against Wisconsin in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl.
Franciscan
OPINION
Do you have the “It Factor?” Add it into your daily routine
GARRETT’S GAVEL
GARRETT MCENTEE
@9are_bear
Social Media platforms like TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Pinterest and Instagram have all taken the “It Giral” and “It Boy” aesthetic and broken it down into products to help the average schmuck achieve that certain je ne sais quoi.
There are thousands of videos and photo compilations that plug products and tools to help anyone achieve a transcendent state of appearance, and I’ve tried a lot of them. In this edition, I’ll be focusing on “It Girl” products that I either tested in stores, bought, smelled or interacted with in other various scenarios.
Bathroom
Let’s start in the bathroom, where the foundations of the “It Girl” are born.
1. Dry Brushing
For the uninitiated or those safe from brain-rot, dry scrubbing is where you take a sponge-like brush material and exfoliate your skin with it. There are brushes marketed as dry brushes, but it’s more so about having a rougher texture smoothing out and removing dead skin. I love when a product is simple, effective and does what it says it does. 10 out of 10.
2. EOS “Vanilla Cashmere” body lotion
If you like sweet vanilla scents then this product is an absolute yes. This lotion is like light, fluffy vanilla cupcakes being served to you by
a pretty girl in a cashmere sweater wearing some type of white musk perfume. It’s very hydrating and it’s one of my favorite purchases of alltime. 10 out of 10.
3. Lush’s “Sticky Dates” body wash
Now, I have no clue what actual dates smell like, but this product blew up recently, and it’s for a good reason. For one, it smells fantastic, but it’s also surprisingly warm and inviting. It also gives off the energy of a very rich girl in a brownstone. Though, I do wish that it was a bit cheaper, especially for us college students. 8 out of 10.
4. Olaplex Hair Care
Olaplex went viral for its reparative benefits and cute minimalist packaging. That being said, this is not an It Girl product for everyone. Many people experienced increased breakage, extreme shedding and dryness. Personally, Olaplex (especially the bonding oil) are pillars in my hair care routine, however, any blonde out there should skip out on the purple toning line. 7 out of 10.
5. Sol De Janeiro’s Moisturizers/ Creams
I’ll admit that these are pricey. But they smell good, look cute and are insanely popular, which are the three main criteria for any “It Girl” products. 8 out of 10.
6. TheraBreath Mouthwash
This is a game changer product filled with all-day long freshness (if you don’t eat), and it’s actually good for your mouth. It’s not the most aesthetic bottle, but it does get the job done. 100 out of 10. Makeup
Moving past some shower examples, let’s discuss makeup products.
1. Dior’s “Addict Lip Glow” Lip Balm
It is $40 for a lip balm. Read that again. Yes, it does provide a very nice sheen on the lips, but it’s very average at helping your lips retain moisture. It’s also $40. Forty. Dollars. The only good thing about it is that the packaging is cute. Perhaps the saddest part is that I’ve found myself repurchasing it not once, not twice but three times. It has me in a chokehold. Be smarter than me. Skip this. 0 out of 10.
2. Dior’s “Addict Lip Glow” Oil Surprise, it’s also $40. However, I think this formula lends itself more to the “It Girl” aesthetics than its balmy sister. If you’ve got the money, go for it; if not, just get the e.l.f. dupe. 4 out of 10.
3. Charlotte Tilbury’s “Airbrush Flawless Waterproof Setting Spray”
This is a critically acclaimed setting spray. I put it on my hand in a Sephora once, and I thought it did its thing. Nice, simple, easy. 9 out of 10.
4. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s “Pro Filt’r Soft Matte” Longwear Liquid Foundation
Like most products from Rihanna, this foundation is stunning. It takes the cake for me, though, foundations are very dependent on one’s skin type. So, try it and see how you feel about it. 8 out of 10.
5. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez’s “Soft Pinch” Liquid Blush Awesome, fantastic, give me fourteen of em’ immediately. I use this every day, and it’s your natural flush, but better. 10 out of 10.
Fragrance
The last product group most “It Girls” dabble in is fragrance (a personal specialty of mine). So, let’s get started.
1. Yves Saint Laurent “Libre” Eau De Parfum
This is a pretty, sugary, sweet fragrance. Bubbly orange, sweet lavender and silky musks are all put into this bright, girly scent. I prefer the intense version, because it’s much more captivating and richer, but TikTok seems to disagree. 7 out of 10.
2. Finery Perfume
Unlike all the other perfumes on this list, I can tell you one thing for sure, nothing from this line is worth the money. Yes, they are affordable dupes of designer and celebrity fragrances; however, these perfumes don’t last long enough to make them worth a dime. Keep that in mind should you choose to purchase one of these. 2 out of 10.
3. Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia
This is a beautiful perfume and was designed for any fans who love
anything vanilla or floral. It hits every time and is a genuine compliment getter, because of its soft notes of white florals, pear blossom and brown sugar. Total crowd pleaser. 8 out of 10.
4. Le Labo’s “Santal 33”
This is an expensive perfume; however, the bottle is understated, and the scent is just incredible. It’s filled with rich notes that compliment cardamom and is seemingly balanced with iris and violet. Very simple, very beautiful. 8 out of 10. There are a plethora of products coming out every day that people will proclaim are the best, despite most of them being a waste of money. Nevertheless, as they give out bad advice, I’ll be sure to test the products to make sure that you’ll achieve the It factor that you crave.
Garrett McEntee is a 19-year-old English freshman from Benton.
An international student’s heartfelt love letter to Louisiana
BASED BELLA
ISABELLA ALBERTINI
@BasedIsabella
Whenever someone asks me where I’m from, and I tell them I’m an international student from Perú, I always get the same reply: “Why, of all places, did you choose Louisiana?”
The short answer is that my family and I visited New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana in 2021 and loved it here. That year, I was also applying to colleges in
EDITORIAL BOARD
Colin Falcon Editor in Chief
Buzbee
Editor
the U.S., so I applied to LSU, got in and here I am. The long answer is my love letter to Louisiana.
Since my first visit here, I’ve always loved this state. The people, the culture and the traditions are unmatched. I’ve visited 11 states in the U.S., but none of them beat the hospitality and southern charm found in the Deep South, especially Louisiana.
I chose Louisiana because I wanted to be immersed in American culture. Although it’s common for students from Perú who get the chance to study in the U.S. study in Florida, New York, Massachusetts or California, I wanted
a different experience. If I wanted to be surrounded by other people like me who speak Spanish I could’ve just stayed in Perú. People talk about diversity a lot, and Louisiana has a diverse culture in and of itself. It’s not the melting pot of culture similar to what you would find in New York or California. It’s the culture of Cajuns, Creoles and crawfish boils. Louisiana is bursting with a culture worthy of being shared with the world. A culture that made me want to come be a part of it.
I also think it’s an indisputable fact that Louisiana has, by far,
the best food in America. Coming from Perú, a country globally recognized for its gastronomy, I was surprised to discover such a delicious cuisine here. Poboys, boudin balls and charbroiled oysters need no introduction. The list goes on and on.
My love for Louisiana started during that first visit.
It was in Baton Rouge with my family, and I first started hearing about “LSU this” and “LSU that.”
We’d ask, “What is LSU?” replied by, “Y’all don’t know? It’s Louisiana’s flagship university that just won the national championship.”a Football is something people
deeply care about in the South. Little did I know that a year later I’d be deeply caring about it too and would storm the field along other tigers in Death Valley as LSU beat the University of Alabama.
Here I am, almost four years later, starting my senior year as a tiger in a place that I can now call my home. So yes, for these reasons and countless more, I’m proud to share why I chose LSU. Geaux Tigers.
Isabella Albertini is a 24-year-old mass communication senior from Lima, Perú.
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The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain American writer and
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Sports Editor Jason Willis Oliver Butcher News Editor Taylor Hamilton Opinion Editor
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