CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With her college gymnastics days behind her, influencer and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Livvy Dunne is moving on with life — but that doesn’t mean she’ll be far from the public eye.

Dunne, who has more than 13 million followers on social media, created a multimillion-dollar personal brand while competing as a gymnast at LSU. Now she’s trying to help other female athletes do the same, helping to educate them about name, image and likeness deals and personal branding.

“I’m going to miss gymnastics so much because it has been a part of me for almost 20 years,” Dunne told The Associated Press at AthleteCon, where she had a speaking engagement. “What’s next? Everything. I want to do all of the things that I couldn’t do while I was a gymnast” because of the time constraints of being a student-athlete.

“So there are some really cool opportunities — stay tuned,” she added.

Dunne didn’t disclose any details, but it’s clear she plans to maintain her personal brand, which she developed along with the help of older sister and manager Julz Dunne.

AthleteCon CEO Sam Green, who has helped land more than 1,000 NIL deals, invited the Dunne sisters to speak to college athletes as part of a two-day seminar. Athletes met with representatives from social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Meta, created live content and competed for NIL deals. They learned how to turn a creative idea into a brand.

More than 100 athletes attended, with another 150 turned away because of space constraints.

Green’s company slogan is “all athletes are creators.”

“I’m really big on giving athletes the tools to monetize their brand,” Green said.

Few, if any, have done that better than Livvy Dunne.

She helped the Tigers to the 2024 national championship as a junior before missing this past season because of an injury. But she was better known on social media, where she amassed more than 8 million followers on TikTok and 5.3 million on Instagram before leaving LSU.

Advertisers took notice.

She was the highest-paid female college athlete across all sports during her time with the Tigers, earning more than $4.1 million, according to On3. She worked with brands like Nautica, Crocs and Sports Illustrated, where she recently did a split on the catwalk on a “triple dare.”

Her boyfriend is Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes, who played baseball at LSU.

“She’s it,” Green said. “She’s the road map. She’s the blueprint and she was the first to do it. The Dunnes are so innovative and they have done it with genuine intent. Livvy is the definition of NIL, in my opinion, at least true NIL and what it was meant to be from the start.”

Dunne said navigating the ever-changing world of NIL was like living in the wild West.

“I learned that you don’t have to do one thing and be great at that one thing,” Dunne said. “You can do multiple different things and find success in tons of different areas.”

But there were trying times as she balanced classes, competition and the constant demand for multiple daily social media posts.

She remembers walking into LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark’s office in tears because of stress about her schedule.

She fought through it and is glad she did.

“I hope people here take away that you are more than your sport and everybody deserves to capitalize on their name, image and likeness,” Dunne said. “Curiosity is key. Ask questions, network, and just create because, who knows, the sky is the limit. It got me to where I am today. Don’t just consume, but create.

“Keep posting,” she added. “The audience is there. People are interested. They want to see what you have to offer. Everyone’s story is different and has to be told.”

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan State All-Americans Flozell Adams and Morten Andersen, along with former head coach Darryl Rogers, are featured on the National Football Foundation’s 2026 ballot (Football Bowl Subdivision) for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

In addition, former Spartan Gideon Smith, the first African American to play intercollegiate athletics at Michigan State and a three-year letterwinner from 1913-15, is on the ballot in the divisional coaching category. Smith coached at Hampton University from 1921-40 and led the Pirates to the 1922 Black College National Championship. He recorded four CIAA titles and two unbeaten seasons in his career. The longest tenured coach in Hampton history, Smith has the second-most wins all-time at the school.

Mark Dantonio, the winningest head coach in Michigan State history, was elected to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class and was officially inducted on Dec. 10, 2024, in Las Vegas. Four other MSU coaches are currently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame: Clarence “Biggie” Munn, Charles Bachman, Duffy Daugherty and Frank “Muddy” Waters. Former MSU head coach Nick Saban (1995-99), who won six national championships at Alabama and one at LSU, will be a part of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class. 

In 2019, running back Lorenzo White was the 10th Spartan player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining halfback John Pingel (inducted in 1968), tackle Don Coleman (1975), linebacker George Webster (1987), defensive end Bubba Smith (1988), safety Brad Van Pelt (2001), wide receiver Gene Washington (2011), linebacker Percy Snow (2013), running back Clinton Jones (2015) and wide receiver Kirk Gibson (2017).

The 2026 ballot, which includes 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks, was emailed earlier this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. 

The Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and NFF College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, NFF Hall of Famers and members of the media. Click here for the official criteria and the voting procedures, which govern election to the NFF Hall.

“Each year, the NFF Hall of Fame ballot provides our members with the meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of college football’s most prestigious honor,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. “Our voters are deeply passionate and knowledgeable, and their involvement ensures that those selected represent the very best our sport has to offer. It’s a tradition rooted in excellence, and we are excited to see who will be chosen for the 2026 Class.”

The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future.

 

The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2026 season.

 

Of the 5.78 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 1,111 players have earned induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played the game during the past 155 seasons. From the coaching ranks, 237 individuals have achieved NFF Hall of Fame distinction.

Below are bio sketches for Adams, Andersen and Rogers:

Flozell Adams (OT, 6-7, 300, Bellwood, Ill.): Earned first-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation as a senior in 1997 . . . one of only three Spartans to be named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year . . . started all 12 games at left tackle in 1997 and helped the Spartans to a No. 24 ranking in rushing offense (199.5 ypg) . . . also opened holes for MSU running backs who tallied 100 or more yards seven times during the season . . . allowed just two sacks and recorded 37 pancakes . . . in his final game at Spartan Stadium, he graded out 89 percent overall with a season-high six pancakes vs. Penn State as MSU gained 452 yards on the ground, the most ever allowed by the Nittany Lions . . . named recipient of MSU’s President’s Award in 1997 . . . three-year starter (left tackle in 1997; right tackle in 1995-96) . . . four-year letterwinner (1994-97) . . . was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice in 1995, a second-team All-Big Ten pick in 1996, and a first-team all-league honoree in 1997 . . . drafted in the second round (No. 38 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1998 NFL Draft . . . played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with Dallas (1998-2009) and one with Pittsburgh (2010) . . . five-time Pro Bowler played in 198 career games, including 194 starts . . . his final game was in Super Bowl XLV with the Steelers.

Morten Andersen (PK, 6-2, 195, Struer, Denmark): Four-year letterman played for both Darryl Rogers (1978-79) and Frank “Muddy” Waters (1980-81) . . . closed out his career as Michigan State’s all-time leader in field goals (45), extra points (126) and scoring (261 points) . . . still ranks among MSU’s all-time Top 10 in extra points (sixth), scoring (eighth) and field goals (ninth) . . . connected on nine field goals from 50-plus yards during his career, including a Big Ten-record 63-yarder at Ohio State in 1981 . . . also converted 62-straight extra-point attempts during one stretch . . . named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-Century Team (1900-2000) in 1999 . . . led the team in scoring with 73 points as a freshman in 1978, converting 52-of-54 extra points and 7-of-16 field goals, as the Spartans went 8-3 and won a share of the Big Ten Championship at 7-1 . . . led the Big Ten in kick scoring with 56 points in league games (44-of-45 extra points and 4-of-10 field goals) in 1978 . . . finished second on the team in scoring with 58 points as a sophomore in 1979, trailing only running back Derek Hughes who scored 11 touchdowns for 66 points . . . second-team All-Big Ten selection connected on all 25 extra-point and 11-of-18 field-goal attempts, including five from 50-plus yards . . . made a career-best four field goals in the 1979 season opener against Illinois . . . once again led the Spartans in scoring with 57 points as a junior in 1980, hitting 21-of-22 extra points and 12-of-18 field goals . . . named second-team All-Big Ten for the second year in a row . . . made three field goals from 50-plus yards, including a 57-yarder at Michigan . . . only 20 of his 50 kickoffs (40 percent) were returned by opponents in 1980 . . . earned first-team All-America honors as a senior, from The Sporting News, United Press International and Walter Camp . . . led the team in scoring for the third time in his career with 73 points in 1981, converting 28-of-29 extra points and 15-of-20 field goals . . . selected first-team All-Big Ten . . . ranked second in the conference in scoring with 68 points in league play (26-of-26 extra points and 14-of-18 field goals) . . . matched his career high with four field goals against Indiana . . . opponents returned just 17 of his 56 kickoffs (30 percent) in 1981 . . . also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors as a senior . . . selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (No. 86 overall) of the 1982 National Football League Draft and became a seven-time Pro Bowl selection (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1995) . . . named First-Team All-Pro three times (1986, 1987 and 1995) . . . kicked for five teams during his 25-year career and retired from the game in 2008 as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer with 2,544 points . . . spent 13 seasons with the Saints (1982-94), eight with the Atlanta Falcons (1995-2000; 2006-07), two with the Kansas City Chiefs (2002-03) and one year each with the New York Giants (2001) and Minnesota Vikings (2004) . . . Atlanta advanced to its only Super Bowl following the 1998 season as Andersen’s 38-yard field goal beat the Vikings in the NFC title game . . . enshrined in Canton as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Darryl Rogers (Head Coach; Michigan State, 1976-79): Guided the Spartans to a 24-18-2 record (.568) in four years as head coach at Michigan State from 1976-79 and coached three first-team All-Americans (wide receiver Kirk Gibson, tight end Mark Brammer and punter Ray Stachowicz) . . . led the Spartans to the 1978 Big Ten championship, claiming the school’s fourth conference title . . . honored as the 1978 Big Ten Coach of the Year after the Spartans closed the championship season on a seven-game winning streak, which started with a 24-15 victory at Michigan, to finish the year 8-3 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten . . . 1978 team featured one of the top offenses in school history, setting then MSU single-season records for points scored (411) and scoring average (37.4 points per game) . . . spent 20 seasons as a college head coach (Cal State Hayward, 1965; Fresno State, 1966-72; San Jose State, 1973-75; Michigan State, 1976-79; Arizona State, 1980-84) . . . passed away at the age of 84 on July 11, 2018.

Three Spartan Legends are on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot!

Flozell Adams

Morten Andersen

Darryl Rogers pic.twitter.com/MNWNtWKjJ2

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) June 5, 2025

 

EASTON, Mass. (June 5, 2025) – The Stonehill College men’s ice hockey team concluded a historic 2024-25 campaign, establishing a new standard of success in its NCAA Division I journey. Under the guidance of first-year head coach David Berard, the Skyhawks posted 12 wins—10 of which came against Division I opponents—marking a significant improvement from the previous season.

Stonehill set a program record for Division I victories, earning statement wins over Lake Superior State, Army, St. Lawrence, Merrimack, Long Island, and Lindenwood. The Skyhawks also posted a .500 home record (7-7) and a program-best five road wins.

The season’s defining moment came on January 18, when Stonehill stunned No. 9 UMass Lowell with a dramatic overtime victory—the program’s first-ever win over a nationally ranked Division I opponent. Junior Evan Orr delivered the game-winner just 30 seconds into the extra frame.

Stonehill also secured six victories over opponents from premier Division I conferences, including Atlantic Hockey, Hockey East, CCHA, and ECAC. On November 1, the Skyhawks recorded their first-ever Division I shutout with a 4-0 win over St. Lawrence. Goaltenders Connor Androlewicz and Linards Lipskis combined for a program-record four shutouts over the course of the season.

Another milestone was achieved with Stonehill’s first win over Long Island University, snapping a 16-game losing streak to the Sharks. Androlewicz posted a 2-0 shutout on the road—the program’s first Division I shutout away from home. The Skyhawks later capped the season with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against LIU, becoming the only independent team to defeat the Sharks in 2024-25.

Stonehill’s success also extended to marquee venues, including Warrior Ice Arena—the Boston Bruins’ practice facility—where they notched wins over Merrimack and Army. The victory over Merrimack completed Stonehill’s first-ever series sweep of a Division I opponent, following a season-opening 3-2 overtime triumph on October 6.

Individual honors highlighted the team’s rise, with four players earning Division I Independent monthly awards. Sophomore Anthony Galante and Orr were named Player of the Month for November and January, respectively. Freshman Leo Chambers was recognized as Rookie of the Month in December, and Androlewicz earned Goaltender of the Month honors in February. Galante and Orr were later named Division I Independent All-Stars.

Galante also became Stonehill’s first-ever semifinalist for the prestigious 73rd Walter Brown Award and finished the season with a program-record 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists). Orr contributed 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists), led the team with 49 blocked shots, and tallied five game-winning goals—including three in overtime—to set another program record.

Capping the season’s success, forward Henri Schreifels signed a professional contract with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, the affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the first Skyhawk to advance to the professional ranks in the Division I era.

Stonehill College men’s hockey made significant strides during the 2024-25 season, setting new standards for success and paving the way for future achievements at the Division I level.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

There’s one month separating fans from EA Sports College Football 26. Soon enough, they’ll know who EA considers the best teams in the country.

Ahead of last year’s release, Penn State drew an 88 overall rating with an 87 overall offense and 88 overall defense. With a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance to show for, the Nittany Lions finished the year with a 92 overall.

With a successful season and addition of receivers Trebor Peña, Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross and linebacker Amare Campbell in mind, our staff debated where Penn State will be ranked prior to the July 10 launch.

Lyle Alenstein

Offense: 93

Penn State’s offense did lose Mackey Award winner in tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL as well as three-year starter at right guard in Sal Wormley, but the Nittany Lions arguably have a better offensive attack heading into the 2025 campaign.

It returns four of five starters on the offensive line, with Cooper Cousins likely sliding into the right guard spot after a freshman campaign where he received nothing but positive praise. Warren’s production will be hard to replicate, but between the hype of Luke Reynolds, the veteran presence of Khalil Dinkins and a healthy Andrew Rappleyea, the tight end room is in good hands.

Drew Allar returns for his senior year and third campaign as a starter with a trio of new transfer wide receivers in Peña, Hudson and Ross, all of whom have produced at the collegiate level at a rate that Allar hasn’t had at the position in the past. On top of the new wideouts, he returns arguably the best running back duo in college football in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

On top of all the returning pieces, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s second year should result in an uptick in production, giving Penn State’s offense a boost not only on the field but in the EA ratings department.

Defense: 87

Just like on the offensive side of the ball, Penn State lost its best player from 2024 on defense to the NFL in defensive end Abdul Carter. Unlike the offense however, the Nittany Lions saw more turnover on defense, as it lost safeties Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr., defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard, linebacker Kobe King and cornerback Jalen Kimber to the NFL.

Despite the departures, Penn State’s defense has been its strength in recent memory regardless of losses, as the depth behind it picks off right where the other players left off.

Campbell should fill the void that King left, cornerback Audavion Collins will step in for Kimber, while King Mack will likely step into a starting safety role. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and safety Zakee Wheatley return to starting roles after impressive seasons, while cornerback A.J. Harris has more than a good chance to become Penn State’s first cornerback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

There’s question marks at defensive tackle, paired with experience concerns at linebacker outside Campbell, Tony Rojas and Dom DeLuca, but the addition of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles should have the defense amongst one of the best in the country again and a favorable rating in the game.

Overall: 90

Avery Hill

Offense: 91

Most of Penn State’s feature players are back. With Nick Singleton serving as one of the deluxe edition cover athletes, he should get a big jolt to his rating. The offensive line should be key to this rating too, as I’d expect it to have at least eight players eclipsing an 80 overall.

The receiving room might have left plenty of question marks but Penn State answered them with Hudson, Peña and Ross. The trio clocked 81, 86 and 88 overalls, respectively, on last year’s game, so expect a favorable rating to boost Penn State.

The tight end room is one I expect to not get an initial favorable ranking, but it’ll certainly grow as the nation gets to know Luke Reynolds and Khalil Dinkins throughout the year. Still, Penn State’s offense is deep in many areas and it’s likely it’ll have multiple players who rank in the top-five of players at their positions in the initial ratings release.

Defense: 92

There’s an argument for Penn State’s defense to be ranked lower than the offense, but I don’t think that’ll be the case. While the losses of Abdul Carter, Kobe King, Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr. are important, it’s likely EA leans into historical trends and expects new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to take the defense to another level.

After allowing 16.5 points per game and shutting down Maxwell Award winner Ashton Jeanty in the Fiesta Bowl, Penn State’s defense should receive more love than people think.

It’ll be interesting to see where defensive tackle Zane Durant is rated, but he along with cornerback A.J. Harris and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton should be among the highest rated of the team.

Campbell finished his UNC career at an 83 overall, so though there’s questions remaining in the linebacker room, it shouldn’t affect the defense as much as it would without Campbell.

Penn State’s defensive backs should be its strongpoint, with Harris along with Elliot Washington ll, Audavion Collins, Zakee Wheatley and DeJuan Lane all getting the chance for a ratings boost with another year of experience.

Overall: 91

Will Horstman

Offense: 92

Heading into 2025, there’s a lot to like about Penn State’s offense. Quarterback Drew Allar is returning for his senior year and so are running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, which should give the Nittany Lions’ rating a boost.

The offensive line is also returning talent as Penn State only projects to have one new starter in the group — right guard Cooper Cousins. Paired with good depth for the group, 2025 could be the best offensive line under James Franklin.

As for the tight ends and wide receivers, there will be some players in starting roles for the first time with Penn State. Still, both positions have a quality chance to be productive.

Tight ends Khalil Dinkins, Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappleyea might not be as good as 2024 John Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren, but they all offer the potential to keep their position group a strength for the Nittany Lions.

The receiver room has been a struggle as of late, but with the offseason additions of Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson and Trebor Peña, Penn State did a fine job to attempt to correct those issues.

Defense: 90

Since the turn of the decade, Penn State’s defense has typically been better than its offense. However, 2025 could mark a change, as with defensive end Abdul Carter, safety Kevin Winston Jr., safety Jaylen Reed, linebacker Kobe King and cornerback Jalen Kimber all in the NFL, the Nittany Lions’ defense will have a bit of a new look to it.

Some young defensive backs will see more playing time, such as Dejuan Lane and King Mack, while veteran Zakee Wheatley will lead the group. UNC transfer linebacker Amare Campbell gives Penn State a similar skill set to King, so he should fill in nicely.

Of course, the returning talent of defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, linebacker Tony Rojas, linebacker Dom DeLuca, cornerback A.J. Harris and defensive tackle Zane Durant were all valuable players last season, which should be the same this year.

While it had to deal with more turnover than the offense, this year’s defense still projects as a strength, especially with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles entering his first season with the team. Even if it ends up being rated below the offense, I still see the defense breaking 90 overall.

Overall: 91

Lexie Linderman

Offense: 93

Penn State’s offense is set to look very similar, but yet different in 2025. Only one starter departed from the offensive line, while the backfield is a mirror image with Drew Allar, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen back for Year 4.

Last season, the Nittany Lions’ offense earned a rating of 87, but that was with a subpar wide receiver room — the additions of Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson and Trebor Peña will certainly provide a ratings boost on the offensive side of the ball.

However, the departure of Tyler Warren will cause a dip in the ratings of Penn State’s tight end room. Khalil Dinkins was rated a 78 last season, while Luke Reynolds earned himself a 79. Reynolds and Dinkins will likely have slightly higher ratings, but that still won’t be enough to make up for Warren’s absence.

Taking into account Allar, Singleton, Allen and more of the offense having another year of experience, the rating for the Nittany Lions’ offense should take a jump regardless.

Defense: 89

While Penn State will enter 2025 without Abdul Carter, Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr., its defense still has plenty of talent.

Defensive tackle Zane Durant, cornerback A.J. Harris and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton could very well be All-Americans in 2025 and their ratings should reflect that, giving the defense’s overall rating a boost.

Safety Zakee Wheatley is also back for another season. He was rated at 80 overall last year, but that number should see an increase, as Wheatley put together a strong 2024 campaign and is now leading the Nittany Lions’ safety room.

It’ll be interesting to see how the ratings for Penn State’s linebackers shape up, but expect Tony Rojas and Amare Campbell to have numbers somewhere in the 80s.

Overall: 92

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