CLEMSON — LSU will be without one of its starting safeties when it visits Clemson on Saturday.

Transfer AJ Haulcy, who played for Houston last season, was ejected from the Cougars’ 30-18 loss to BYU in its season finale and will be suspended for the first half of the season opener.

NCAA Rule 5.1b states that if a player is ejected for fighting in the second half of a game, that player must serve a first-half suspension in the next game in which they are eligible. The NCAA makes no exception for that game being the next season, or if that player transfers to another school.

“In the last game of the 2024 season, A.J. Haulcy was ejected from the contest, initially listed as unsportsmanlike conduct but clarified postgame that game officials ejected the player for fighting,” the NCAA told ESPN. “Fighting carries an automatic carryover penalty.”

LSU head coach Brian Kelly acknowledged earlier on Thursday that the school was still awaiting a verdict on Haulcy’s availability.

“We are waiting on further clarification on that,” the head coach said. “We were informed of his situation on Wednesday.”

That verdict is now in.

Haulcy was part of LSU’s top-ranked portal class over the offseason. Last season at Houston, the veteran safety totaled 74 tackles and picked off five passes, while also adding eight pass breakups.

No. 9 LSU travels to Clemson on Saturday to square off with No. 4 Clemson. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on ABC.

Photo courtesy of Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images