AJ Haulcy update: NCAA clarifies LSU safety's status, potential first-half suspension vs. Clemson

LSU safety AJ Haulcy will not play in the first half of the season opener against Clemson, the NCAA confirmed to On3’s Pete Nakos. The organization clarified his ejection in the final game of the 2024 season was due to fighting, which includes an automatic carryover penalty.

LSU coach Brian Kelly told reporters Thursday night the program was still waiting on clarity regarding Haulcy’s status. A Houston transfer, Haulcy’s ejection took place in the final game of the year against BYU after a fight broke out. It was initially listed as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but later clarified it was due to fighting.

The NCAA also said there is no appeal process for a fighting ejection, meaning Haulcy’s suspension will stand, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Even when a player transfers, the NCAA said, the carryover still occurs. Houston’s staff was also aware of the suspension in a letter from the Big 12, dated December 2024.

“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 said to ESPN. “Fighting carries an automatic carryover penalty.”

Haulcy was a starter at Texas and put up huge numbers during his two years with the Cougars after transferring from New Mexico. in 2024, he totaled 74 tackles and had a career-high five interceptions. That came after he set a new career-high with 98 tackles and a tackle for loss in his first season with the program.

Haucly’s success at Houston helped him become the No. 30 overall player to enter the transfer portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings, and the No. 2-ranked safety. He was a central part of an LSU portal group that ranked No. 2 in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index.

Before news broke that AJ Haulcy would officially miss the first half of Saturday’s opener, Kelly said LSU was still waiting on a firm answer. There were still questions about what the circumstances of the ejection were, but he praised the way the SEC was handling the situation.

“We’re waiting for clarification on [Haulcy],” Kelly said. “We were informed of his situation on Wednesday, so we’ll see where that ends up. We’re practicing him and preparing to play him, so we’ll wait on further guidance.

“I think it’s a little bit of the conference and NCAA rulings, in terms of what the circumstances are at the end of the game. Our conference has been great at providing the support and we’ll wait for the decision and plan accordingly.”