LSU's Haulcy to serve first-half ban for '24 fight

"Haulcy, who transferred to LSU in May and was considered one of the top defensive players available in the portal, was suspended for a fight in his final regular-season game last year while playing for Houston. The news came as a surprise to No. 9 LSU, as team officials were not informed of the suspension until Wednesday, sources told ESPN. The suspension leaves LSU without a key member of its secondary in a road game against Clemson's Cade Klubnik, one of the country's top quarterbacks."

"A few factors might have led to some of the ambiguity and confusion around the suspension. Haulcy was initially ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, a penalty that would not yield a suspension. However, officials clarified after the game that Haulcy was ejected for fighting, which does result in a suspension. Houston's coaching staff was made aware of the classification of his ejection and the first-half suspension in December 2024 in a formal letter from the NCAA. According to sources, Haulcy claims he was not informed."

"Haulcy's transfer to LSU in May also appears to have caused some communication issues on the suspension, though NCAA rules are clear that a suspension follows a player after a transfer and there is no appeal process. Clemson finished No. 15 in the country in pass offense last year and returns both Klubnik and a majority of its offensive weapons. LSU's secondary was a weak spot last year, as the Tigers finished No. 76 nationally in pass defense."

A.J. Haulcy will be suspended for the first half of Saturday's game at Clemson for a fight that occurred in his final regular-season game while playing for Houston. LSU officials were not informed of the suspension until shortly before the game, creating surprise and leaving the team without a starting safety against Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. Haulcy was originally ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, later reclassified as fighting, which carries a suspension. Houston's staff received formal notice in December 2024 while Haulcy says he was not informed. NCAA rules state suspensions follow transfers and are not appealable. Clemson returns most pass-offense weapons; LSU struggled in pass defense last season.

Read at ESPN.com