| Good morning from Dallas. Tuesday is day two of SEC Media Days with coaches and players from Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri and conference newcomer Oklahoma here for their turn in the spotlight in front of about 1,200 assembled media. Monday was LSU's day in the spotlight. Coach Brian Kelly along with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Harold Perkins and tight end Mason Taylor represented the Tigers in the media gauntlet. No one was under the harsh glare of the spotlight more than LSU's new starting quarterback, as he takes over from Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. And he tries to do something Daniels could not: make the Tigers a championship contender with a berth in the now 12-team College Football Playoff. There's news of an LSU kind all over the place here, what with former Tiger Paul Skenes starting the All-Star Game over in Arlington on Tuesday night along with the final day of the major league draft. So let's get right to the links so we can get you caught up and on with the rest of your day: - Nussmeier has waited his turn. Now it's his time to run the show at LSU, Reed Darcey tells us.
- As important as Nussmeier is to the Tigers' chances in 2024, I make the argument that no player is more pivotal than Perkins as the centerpiece of an LSU defense that simply must improve over a dreadful showing in 2023.
- I've also got three takes for you from SEC Media Days' curtain raiser: Kelly's year three charm, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer's rapidly warming seat and, hey, didn't you used to be Nick Saban?
- Kelly had this to say about LSU and TAF's new NIL structure (if you want a few more acronyms, I packed some extra in my luggage ... OK?)
- With his famous girlfriend Olivia Dunne watching, Skenes, the former LSU ace and Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation, will take the mound Tuesday as the National League starter in the Midsummer Classic over in Arlington (7 p.m., Fox). Our Koki Riley was on the scene there Monday.
- LSU may not have Skenes pitching for the purple and gold anymore, but the trend of players coming to and staying with the Tigers is moving in a positive direction for Jay Johnson's program. Shortstop Michael Braswell announced his intention to return in 2025.
- Koki is back with LSU's second-day draft roundup. And in case you're wondering, yes, 10 rounds are in and Jared Jones has not been selected.
- One LSU football player who won't be back this fall is Matthew Langlois. Injuries have led the Tiger safety to call it a career, he tells our Wilson Alexander.
- Lastly, could the freshly expanded 16-team SEC be adding teams to its vast empire again anytime soon? SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had this to say on the subject.
Well, folks, we've emptied the notebook as we say in the journalism biz. Thanks for reading and subscribing and check back with us often Tuesday as we take you through Day Two of media days and report from the All-Star Game. For now, so long from Dallas, pardner. Scott Rabalais | 
