Sep 28, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talks to head coach Brian Kelly during warmups before a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

NCAA punishes LSU with an unfair disadvantage right before Tigers play Clemson to begin 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Holt | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 12:41 AM ET

The LSU Tigers will have to deal with a difficult hurdle to begin their game against the Clemson Tigers to begin their 2025-2026 campaign. In a matchup of two highly-touted rosters and potential College Football Playoff teams, Brian Kelly's team won't have a key defensive transfer available early on.

A.J. Haulcy suspended for first half against Clemson

Transfer safety A.J. Haulcy will not play in the first half for LSU against Clemson. He was ejected from the last game of the 2024 season while at Houston due to fighting. Originally, it was an unsportsmanlike conduct reasoning for the penalty, but it was clarified after the matchup that he was forced out of the game due to fighting.

With that adjustment, there's a carryover penalty to keep the player out of the first half of their next game.

LSU safety A.J. Haulcy will not play in the first half of the Clemson game, the NCAA tells ESPN. Per the NCAA: “In the last game of the 2024 season, A.J. Haulcy was ejected from the contest, initially listed as unsportsmanlike conduct…. pic.twitter.com/OknHWrcw26
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 28, 2025

What makes this worse? LSU has been planning as if they would have Haulcy for the season opener for quite some time. They have seemingly been under the impression that he was not ejected specifically for fighting, so he would be eligible to start.

A last-minute message to LSU

According to Thamel, the NCAA did not inform LSU of the suspension until this week. Just days ahead of a massive ranked matchup in the top ten, the Tigers lose one of their most talented defensive backs for a half of football. Notable.

LSU was not informed of A.J. Haulcey's suspension until Wednesday, and Haulcey was not informed while at Houston of the suspension, per sources. The NCAA says Houston’s coaching staff was made aware in December via a formal letter. -- Pete Thamel

That sort of delay is a surprising aspect to this situation. It remains to be seen how LSU will deploy their defensive backs to create the best secondary possible to start the game against Clemson.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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