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An All-American season as a freshman immediately raised Dillon Thieneman’s profile. A coaching change at Purdue led him to the transfer portal and a perennial playoff contender.Those in Las Vegas for Big Ten media days spoke highly of their new Ducks teammate.LAS VEGAS — Before former Purdue football safety Dillon Thieneman became a Duck, Oregon’s coaching staff labeled him a snake.

That’s the designation Dan Lanning and company put on their upcoming opponents’ best players. They assigned Thieneman to that portion of the animal kingdom prior to last season’s Oct. 18 game at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Thieneman’s five tackles did not stand out in the 35-0 Oregon victory. By a more analytical measure, Thieneman’s only PFF grades lower than that night’s 51.2 came in the blowout losses to Notre Dame and Indiana.

Lanning, though, was eager to add the Westfield grad. He fit a need on a perennially playoff-caliber roster. He also checked off the same intangibles which made him a leader at Purdue.

“When you really get to know Dillon, that’s when you fall in love with Dillon,” Lanning said Wednesday at Big Ten media days. “What kind of worker he is, what he does. Those are the things that tape don’t tell, but you can figure it out quickly through the relationship — hop on the phone, having the guy to visit, being around his family.”

Lanning said his staff maintains a “heightened awareness” of players performing well across college football. That awareness increases when those players enter their name in the NCAA transfer portal. He likened it to the NFL free agency dynamic.

Thieneman’s performance and credentials over his first two seasons made him one of the highest-profile defensive players available. Regardless, once he committed, he still needed to prove himself all over again to a new group of teammates.

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As the Ducks tell it, he accomplished that by simply picking up where he left off as the hardest worker on the Boilermaker roster.

“That dude sets the tone, whether it be off the field, or getting extra treatment, extra reps in,” Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. “It’s an all-the-time mindset. And he is one of the guys that comes downhill, flies to the ball and plays with a lot of effort. That’s what you want from any guy on your defense, especially safety — a dude that can cover from the rook and set the tone on someone early.”

Tight end Kenyon Sadiq said Thieneman’s technique and football knowledge showed up during spring practices. He only got around to those attributes, though, after mentioning Thieneman’s work ethic and diligence to be the first to arrive and the last to leave.

“It’s rare you see something like that — especially from a person of his caliber, if that makes sense,” Sadiq said. “He’s very level-headed and a very nice person.”

Those descriptions of Thieneman’s demeanor and commitment align with the reputation he built over two Purdue seasons.

Thieneman represented more than merely another home-grown talent pried away by one of the sport’s elite. His freshman All-American season portended a building block for a bright future. He completed a family trilogy of Boilermaker safeties who arrived under the radar and graduated at the top of the depth chart.

Now, the best thing Purdue can say about the end of Thieneman’s career is — unlike tight end Max Klare at Ohio State or punter Keelan Crimmins at Illinois — they aren’t scheduled to play against him.

The Ducks, though, see him as a potential key piece in their pursuit of a repeat Big Ten Conference championship.Get IndyStar’s Purdue coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Boiler Update newsletter.

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WASHINGTON — Congress advanced a comprehensive bill to set national standards for student-athlete pay on Wednesday, backed by bipartisan Alabama lawmakers.

Dubbed the SCORE Act, the legislation would provide guidelines on name, image, and likeness, or NIL, deals. It passed out of two House Committees Wednesday in mostly party-line votes. The bill has some Democratic support, including from Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, who said it will help streamline the NIL process for students, universities and conferences.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the NIL bill 30-23 with all Republicans voting for it and all Democrats opposed. From the Education and Workforce Committee markup, the bill passed 18-17 with one GOP member joining Democrats to oppose it.

As a former walk-on University of Alabama football player, Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, said it’s important for college athletes to get paid without becoming employees, which the bill prohibits.

“What we’re trying to do here is meet the needs of the college athlete,” Palmer told Alabama Daily News.

Palmer introduced an amendment during Wednesday’s Energy and Commerce markup that would require student-athletes to make progress toward an undergraduate degree within five years to be eligible for NIL compensation. He said most student-athletes don’t pursue professional sports after college.

“We shouldn’t make the colleges an academic form of a minor league sports franchise,” Palmer told ADN. “It really should be about helping every athlete develop their full potential, whether as an athlete or academically, professionally, when they leave school.”

Palmer withdrew the amendment since the topic falls under the jurisdiction of the Education and Workforce Committee, but the conversation on how to ensure college athletes continue to pursue academic degrees will be ongoing as part of the bill, lawmakers said.

The Alabama Republican said he appreciated how Nick Saban emphasized the importance of academics when he was Alabama’s football coach.

“That ought to be the focus of every college and the treatment of their athletes to make sure whether they go to the NFL or the NBA or Major League Baseball, (or) whatever it is that that individual, male or female, leaves there equipped for life,” Palmer said.

The federal bill would overrule any state NIL laws. Student-athletes would be able to hire agents to represent them in NIL agreements. Agents would be required to register with an interstate intercollegiate college association, like the NCAA.

The SCORE Act also requires Division I schools to offer college athletes academic and health services.

Student-athletes would be prohibited from being employees of universities, conferences, or athletic associations.

Though the legislation has some bipartisan support, Energy and Commerce’s top Democrat said the NIL bill is “nothing more than a major giveaway to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and conferences.”

“The SCORE Act gives the NCAA and conferences nearly limitless and unchecked authority to govern how athletes get paid, if they can transfer schools, and how much time they can be required to spend training, traveling, and competing,” Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, said at Wednesday’s markup.

Five attorney generals from Tennessee, D.C., Florida, New York and Ohio sent a letter to lawmakers Tuesday opposing the college sports legislation.

“The SCORE Act is a misguided effort that will enshrine in federal law the arbitrary and biased authority of the NCAA at its worst,” the attorneys general wrote.

UA Athletic Director Greg Byrne and the SEC commissioner previously expressed their support for the NIL bill. The SCORE Act will now move to the House floor.

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Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has made a strategic move into the sports equipment sector by investing in XTech, a company specializing in protective gear for athletes. The investment, announced on July 24, 2025, positions Manning as both a financial backer and brand ambassador for XTech, which is aiming to expand its footprint in the burgeoning youth sports market. This deal underscores Manning’s growing portfolio of post-retirement business ventures, blending his celebrity status with targeted investments in consumer-facing brands.

Details of the investment remain undisclosed in terms of exact figures, but sources indicate it’s part of a broader funding round for XTech, a firm known for its innovative padding and protective equipment used in football and other contact sports. Manning’s involvement comes at a time when the company is pushing to differentiate itself through technology-driven products that emphasize safety and performance, particularly for younger players.

XTech’s Market Push and Manning’s Role

According to a report from CNBC, XTech is leveraging Manning’s endorsement to penetrate the youth segment, where participation in organized sports has seen steady growth despite economic pressures. The company, founded in 2010, produces items like shoulder pads and helmets incorporating advanced materials for better impact absorption, and Manning’s star power is expected to boost visibility among parents and coaches concerned about concussion risks.

Manning, who retired from the NFL in 2020 after a 16-year career, expressed enthusiasm for XTech’s focus on innovation. “I’ve always been passionate about player safety, and XTech is at the forefront of that,” he told CNBC in an interview. This aligns with his personal brand, built on durability and leadership during his Giants tenure.

Broadening Investment Portfolio

This isn’t Manning’s first foray into business. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) from earlier in 2025 highlight his involvement in other ventures, such as joining Brand Velocity Partners in 2022 to advise on brand development, and his role in Omaha Productions, a media company co-founded with brother Peyton that recently reached an $800 million valuation following a venture capital round, as reported by Axios. These moves show Manning diversifying beyond sports commentary into equity stakes.

Additionally, a Bloomberg report from April 2025 noted Manning assembling an investment group to bid for a stake in the New York Giants, though that effort appears separate from his XTech deal. Such activities reflect a trend among retired athletes turning to private equity and startups to maintain influence and generate returns.

Youth Sports Boom and Competitive Edge

The youth sports market, valued at around $19 billion in the U.S. alone, is projected to grow amid increasing parental investment in children’s activities, per data from industry analyses. XTech aims to capture a slice by emphasizing customizable, high-tech gear that meets evolving safety standards from organizations like the NFL and NCAA.

Competitors like Riddell and Schutt dominate the space, but XTech’s niche in premium, performance-oriented products could gain traction with Manning’s backing. As noted in NBC New York coverage echoing the CNBC story, this investment mirrors strategies by athletes like Serena Williams and Kevin Durant, who have funneled capital into wellness and tech brands.

Strategic Implications for XTech

For XTech, Manning’s participation extends beyond capital; his network could open doors to endorsements from current NFL players and partnerships with leagues. Industry insiders suggest this could accelerate XTech’s expansion into international markets, where youth football is gaining popularity in Europe and Asia.

However, challenges remain, including supply chain issues and regulatory hurdles on equipment standards. Still, Manning’s track record—evident in the success of BBQGuys, another Brand Velocity-backed venture he supported—bodes well for XTech’s trajectory.

Long-Term Outlook and Athlete Investments

Looking ahead, this deal highlights the evolving role of celebrity athletes in consumer goods. A report from The Athletic on July 23, 2025, drew parallels between Manning’s career and emerging talents, underscoring his enduring appeal. If XTech scales successfully, it could yield significant returns for Manning while advancing sports safety.

Ultimately, as posts on X from outlets like Front Office Sports illustrate, Manning’s business acumen is reshaping how retired stars engage with industry, potentially inspiring more such partnerships in the years to come. With the sports equipment sector poised for innovation, this investment marks a calculated step in Manning’s post-NFL chapter.