Interview with LSU legend Kramer Robertson
Erik Trosclair • March 14, 2025
Let's get into it!
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with LSU legend Kramer Robertson. Kramer was kind enough to give me some of his time.
Take us back to Midway High School; talk to us about your recruitment process.
Kramer: My recruiting process actually started pretty early after I attended Texas A&M and then LSU baseball camps in 9th grade. Things picked up after my sophomore summer, with more teams starting to recruit me. I ended up going on 3 visits my junior year, which were A&M, Ole Miss, and LSU, before obviously choosing LSU around Christmas time that year.
Talk to us about your adjustment to college baseball.
Kramer: The adjustment to college in general was tough for me. My entire freshman fall, like lots of kids, I was just homesick. I actually hit really well that fall but still felt like I couldn't do anything right. I was your typical freshman just trying to survive each day.
Talk to us about your freshman season in 2014.
Kramer: My freshman season had ups and downs. For the first time in my career, I was dealing with being in and out of the lineup and really, failure as well. These were such vital lessons for me as I went on later in my career.
Talk to us about that SportsCenter Top 10 catch against Grambling State University.
Kramer: The catch against Grambling is still one of my favorite baseball memories. First career start, I was so nervous I remember my legs shaking in the first inning. I had made those catches countless times as a young kid in my yard pretending I was on SportsCenter, so to do it in my first career game was truly surreal.
In 2016 you burst onto the scene, seeing time at shortstop and 2nd base. You hit .324 and helped lead the team to the College World Series. Talk to us about your junior season.
Kramer: My junior season is where it finally all clicked for me. My first two seasons didn't go exactly how I had hoped, but I had learned so much and felt physically better than ever. Week 3 I got moved to shortstop and never missed another game there the rest of my career. I felt like the experience we gained as a team in 2016 really set the tone for what we knew would be a special 2017 team.
In 2017 you start all 72 games at shortstop; talk to us about that season.
Kramer: We knew going into 2017 we were going to be super talented. 4 of us turned down real money in the draft to come back for another season with a talented class coming in. It really was one of the best teams you could ever be a part of. We were such good friends away from the field, and we were a damn good baseball team. From offense to defense to pitching, we were stacked. I still lose sleep to this day thinking about losing that national championship.
Take us back to the 2016 Arkansas series. You guys sweep the Razorbacks, but 2 things happen in that series. Talk to us about the "Rally Possum" and your busted lip.
Kramer: Yeah, the famous Rally Possum game that was for everyone, except me (haha). But yeah, obviously, I got smoked in the mouth, and it was gruesome, but there was just no way I was coming out of the game. Ironically, it just happened to be in a famous 9-2 comeback win on national TV, so it blew up, and everyone got to see how ugly I looked that night. I got the game winning hit and had to try to do interviews with that fat lip. It was pretty awful, but a fun memory now.
In 2017 you were selected in the 4th round of the MLB draft; talk to us about the draft process.
Kramer: Getting drafted was another feeling I'll never forget. It was something I thought and dreamed about so much as a kid. I could not believe this was my reality. So many people had helped me get to that point, and it was really rewarding to see all of their reactions. It was all of our moment.
What is your opinion on Coach Mainieri at South Carolina?
Kramer: Coach Mainieri has had the greatest impact of anyone on my baseball career. I love that man. I wish him nothing but success, except when they play LSU.
What is your opinion on the LSU baseball program today?
Kramer: LSU baseball is in a great place and exactly where it should be - competing for national championships. Jay understands the expectations here, and he's absolutely crushing it. LSU baseball is here to stay.
What is it like having Kim Mulkey, a living legend, as a mother?
Kramer: Things have always been a bit more public having Kim Mulkey as your mom, but that helped prepare me for my own career later in life. But outside of the public, she's so cool; we have a great relationship. Things are better since she's been at LSU, but that's okay; she hasn't changed one bit and never will. I'm so grateful for her.
What is Kramer Robertson up to nowadays?
Kramer: I am now working in the LSU athletic administration. My official title is the sports performance analyst, but I will be doing many different things in the department. Looking forward to being back at LSU.
Plug your social media handle; tell everyone where they can find you.
Kramer: @kramerrobertson
Follow me on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter): @eazytro
A quick share helps us a lot!
It is week one folks, we made it to the 2026 season! This is the first season in a while where personally I feel optimistic going into the season thanks to Tyler Shough and what the Saints were able to show at the end of the 2025 season. Coupled with what the Saints did in the offseason in free agency and the draft the Saints and Saints fans should feel like the team has a real shot at winning the division and making the playoffs. Their first obstacle they will have to overcome on their path to accomplishing the goal is the Detroit Lions. The Lions will prove to be a good litmus test for the Saints in week one. The Lions have been a championship contender the last few years under the stewardship of Dan Campbell and will look to continue their fortune by taking care of business at home against the Saints. The Saints however are not facing the Lions at their peak as they finished last season with a 9-8 win loss record after being a double digit win team the two prior seasons. The Lions will also not have at least two key players in their secondary as both Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are on injured reserve while two of their corners are on the injury report albeit listed as full participants as I am writing this. So the Saints will look to capitalize through the passing game with those key players out for this matchup. I expect Chris Olave to be targeted early and often in this game and for the role players around him to come up big on some key plays throughout the game. Speaking of role players I am curious to see if either or both of the rookie receivers in Barion Brown and Bryce Lance have any big moments in the game after having a great offseason and preseason. Outside of the rookie receivers I am curious to see if Juwan Johnson will be able to build on the productive season he had last year. With the absence of Jordyn Tyson to begin the season there should be plenty of opportunity for targets in the passing game outside of Chris Olave’s share. In regards to the running game I expect the Saints to give Etienne a heavy workload against the Lions if Kamara is not active for the game but there is optimism Kamara is ahead of schedule and could play against the Lions. I will be very interested to see how Etienne does in his debut with the team and how he will be utilized in the offense. There was talk during training camp the Saints have a package with both Etienne and Kamara on the field so if both are active I will be keeping an eye out for that personnel package. The Saints will look to start off the season strong on the ground after being one of the least effective teams running the ball last season. Hopefully the addition of David Edwards and Etienne combined with Kellen Moore along with most of the players being in year two of Kellen Moore’s system will aid them in running the ball better this season. Adin Hutchinson will look to be the main challenge the offensive line will face against the Lions defensive line as he had a standout 2025 campaign with 14.5 sacks along with an interception. If the Saints young tackles in Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga are able to hold up well against Hutchinson they should be able to hold up well against the best edge rushers for the rest of the season. On the defensive side of the ball this will be very much a good challenge for them as the Lions have some marquee players on offense the defense will be tasked with slowing down. Amon Ra St. Brown and Jhamyr Gibbs are the two skill position players to key in on for the Saints in this game but role players like Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams can absolutely be a difference maker for the Lions on any given Sunday. I think my two favorite matchups on this side of the ball will be watching Chase Young against Penei Sewell and the Saints young secondary against Amon Ra St. Brown. Chase Young had ten sacks in twelve games last season and will look to continue this success against one of the league’s best tackles in Penei Sewell. Unfortunately his running mate in Cameron Jordan will be unavailable in this game so look for a steady rotation at edge opposite of Chase Young throughout the game. Amon Ra St. Brown is the type of receiver Jared Goff looks for early and often throughout the game and can be moved around their offensive formations even though he plays primarily in the slot. How the Saints plan to contain or slow down Amon Ra will be fascinating to watch. Overall, I expect this to be a close game between the Saints and Lions where both teams should have ample opportunities to put up points against each other. There are so many little story lines to follow as the Saints start the regular season and in this game I can’t wait to follow. Week one usually has a fair amount of chaos to the games so you can never discount a crazy outcome here or elsewhere throughout the league. There should be plenty to discuss coming out of week one. Alright enough from me, talk to you all on the other side and geaux Saints! Injury Designations Lions DB - Christian Izien - Questionable Saints TE - Oscar Delp - OUT Edge - Cameron Jordan - OUT RB - Audric Estime - OUT RB - Alvin Kamara - Questionable
ULM enters the Saturday afternoon game +9.5 to UAB