| After a long stretch where the transfer portal only seemed to involve a few backup LSU football players departing, the portal cranked to life Friday with big comings and goings in Tigertown. Two Louisiana natives are heading to LSU from what are now former SEC West rival schools: safety Jardin Gilbert from Texas A&M and wide receiver Zavion Thomas from Mississippi State. Meanwhile, LSU lost its first starter to the transfer portal with safety Sage Ryan opting to head out. Ryan started nine of 12 regular-season games for the Tigers. On the basketball court, finally some good news in a big way for the men's team, as point guard Jalen Cook has been cleared to play the rest of the season. And the sports overlap season only continues to get more crowded. LSU will hold its annual Gymnastics 101 exhibition at 3:45 p.m. Saturday in the PMAC, with the return of one big-time Tiger veteran to action. That's all for today, folks. A safe and happy holiday weekend to you all, and we'll do it again next week. Scott Rabalais | 