This weekend was a busy weekend for LSU as the Tigers baseball team finished off the Regular season while the LSU Softball team saw their season come to a shocking and disappointing end in the Baton Rouge Regional. The busy news cycle carried into Monday morning when LSU President William Tate IV resigned from LSU accepting the same position at Rutgers.
The recruiting cycle is picking up for the Tigers as well as the football program will start hosting recruits on official visits while the basketball programs are on the road visiting several top recruits at their basketball events. After a busy week, here are the biggest stories around the LSU athletic program.
LSU President William Tate IV leaves LSU for Rutgers
The biggest news on Monday came as LSU's President William Tate IV left LSU taking the same job at Rutgers. Tate became LSU's President in May of 2021 and became the first African American President in LSU History and in the SEC. William Tate IV was a massive supporter of LSU's athletic programs and was always a resource for the Tigers on the recruiting trail.
William F. Tate IV, a renowned social scientist and president of LSU since May 2021, has been appointed the 22nd president of Rutgers University. https://t.co/izbPDpCoN7
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) May 19, 2025
Beth Torina retained despite disappointing NCAA Tournament
This weekend, the LSU Softball team had a shocking and disappointing end to its season as the Tigers were eliminated in the Baton Rouge Regional by Southeastern Louisiana. The Tigers were the 10th-ranked team and a National seed, yet they lost twice to the Lions in the Regional. After the loss, the Tigers fanbase expressed their disappointment and thought it could be the end of Beth Torina's tenure at LSU. Instead, the administration was disappointed in the result but, Torina will be retained next season.
It's my understanding the #LSU administration was really disappointed with @LSUsoftball performance in the NCAA Tournament this past weekend, but all indications are head coach Beth Torina will be retained for another season.
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) May 19, 2025
Bowe Bentley pushes his official visits up flipping the order of visits
The top recruit to follow as of late for LSU has been quarterback Bowe Bentley who's down to 2 schools with Oklahoma joining LSU in the finalist duo. Originally, Bowe Bentley was going to be on campus on June 20th which was a massive recruiting weekend for the Tigers. Now Bentley moves his visits up as he'll visit LSU on May 30th.
On one hand, LSU not getting the final official visit isn't great news for the Tigers as Oklahoma will get to make the final pitch. On the other hand, Bowe Bentley may be closer to making a decision and with Georgia and other schools no longer in the picture it makes sense that Bentley would move his visit schedule up.
LSU Basketball is keeping tabs on several 5-star recruits
The past month has seen the traditional basketball recruiting cycle pick back up as the transfer portal has slowed nearly to a halt. As the various circuits around the Country pick up, the LSU Basketball staff has started to travel the Country dropping in to watch and visit with some of the top overall recruits. This weekend, LSU's staff stopped in to watch and visit with 5-stars Toni Bryant and Jason Crowe Jr among a crowded group of coaches.
2026 5⭐️ Toni Bryant had the following schools into watch him this weekend, source told @LeagueRDY:
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) May 18, 2025
Missouri (head coach)
LSU (head coach)
Miami (head coach)
Kansas State (head coach)
Kentucky
Cal
USF
Kansas
North Carolina
Duke
NC State
Ole Miss
Ohio State
Texas
Gonzaga… pic.twitter.com/Wf8lONvCAJ
2026 5⭐️ Jason Crowe Jr. tells @LeagueRDY the following programs were into see him at EYBL Session 2 this weekend:
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) May 19, 2025
Alabama
Arkansas
Kentucky
Michigan State
LSU
USC
Baylor
UCLA
Texas
Crowe Jr. is the top scorer in the EYBL after two sessions and is one of the top point guards in… pic.twitter.com/feZELcUChC
LSU Baseball earns the 3rd seed in the SEC Tournament
The regular season came to a close in College Baseball this weekend as the LSU Tigers took 2 out of 3 games against South Carolina. After a strong regular season, the Tigers close the season 3rd in the SEC earning the 3rd seed in the SEC Tournament which gives the Tigers a double bye. When LSU does finally take the field in Hoover, it may end up being important that the Tigers pick up atleast one win as they're currently projected as the 7th National seed which puts them in a dangerous spot when it comes to hosting a Super Regional.