LSU’s Star Safety Transfer AJ Haulcy Benched For Fight After Clemson Reporter Exposed Him

AJ Haulcy Suspension Clemson Reporter LSU Fighting

LSU will open its season against Clemson without AJ Haulcy for the first half. The standout transfer is sidelined due to a fighting suspension.

The incident actually took place before he joined the Tigers’ program.

This unexpected decision comes just two days before the nationally-hyped clash between two top-25 Tiger squads. The senior safety’s penalty had been mostly forgotten until a South Carolina reporter unearthed it Thursday morning.

Who exactly is AJ Haulcy?

The 6-foot, 215-pound safety entered college as a three-star recruit in 2022, committing to New Mexico. As a freshman with the Lobos, he broke out with 86 tackles and two interceptions.

That performance gave him a shot to “transfer up,” leading him into the portal, where he landed at Houston.

His stay in Texas was even more productive than in Albuquerque. As a sophomore, Haulcy racked up 97 tackles, then followed with 74 tackles and five interceptions in 2024.

Before his senior campaign, he hit the portal again. LSU won his pledge, boosted by a strong NIL package, despite Miami trying to lure him with a glitzy visit featuring Rick Ross.

Why will LSU’s big transfer miss Clemson?

The drama began at 10:46 a.m. on August 28, when David Hood of TigerNet.com dropped this find:

“While researching, I noticed new LSU safety AJ Haulcy, formerly of Houston, was tossed for fighting in the 4th quarter of the Cougars’ bowl vs. BYU. I’m almost certain that means he’ll miss the first half against Clemson.”

Chaos broke loose from there. Speculation spread that Clemson contacted the SEC or NCAA to force a suspension, though no confirmation exists.

Regardless of the whispers, the details reached the NCAA. As a result, Haulcy won’t play in the opening half against Clemson’s Tigers.

The ejection stemmed from his part in a late-season scuffle between Houston and BYU.

By rule, an ejection for “fighting” equals a two-quarter suspension in the next regular season contest. Since this occurred in Houston’s final 2024 game, it now applies to 2025.

“Players ejected for fighting in a season finale must serve the suspension in the following year’s opener, even after transferring,” the NCAA rulebook states.

Initially, the Big 12 flagged him for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” It was later corrected to “fighting.”And then everyone forgot.

“We’re practicing and preparing with him in mind until we hear otherwise,” Brian Kelly explained when first notified of Haulcy’s case on Wednesday.

But then Hood revealed it publicly.

Kelly later confirmed Thursday that the NCAA stuck with its earlier decision, enforcing Haulcy’s suspension for fighting.