Latest news with #ex-LSU
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former LSU star Paul Skenes named starting pitcher for National League in All-Star game
The National League named former LSU baseball star Paul Skenes its starting pitcher for the 2025 All-Star Game. It is Skenes' second time earning the distinction. The Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander started last year's All-Star game ahead of winning the National League's Rookie of the Year award. Skenes is currently the betting favorite for the National League's Cy Young award, given to the best pitcher. In his second year of professional baseball, the ex-LSU hurler is putting together a standout season. Skenes' 2.01 ERA leads the National League. He has 131 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP through 121 innings pitched, all of which are top five in the National League. Through 20 starts in 2025, Skenes has surrendered over three runs just twice. In his most recent outing, he eclipsed his 300th career strikeout. It took him just 43 starts to reach the milestone, making him the first Pirates pitcher and one of 17 MLB pitchers all-time to do so. Skenes takes the mound for the All-Star game in Atlanta, GA, on Tuesday at 7 PM CT.
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Hurricanes add another standout veteran linebacker. UM greats lobby Cantwell
The Miami Hurricanes continued an active post-spring portal cycle on Friday by adding Mohamed Toure, a former Rutgers linebacker who missed two of the past three seasons with separate ACL injuries but was very good in the one season that he played. Toure picked UM over Penn State, Indiana and North Carolina. He visited all four schools. Toure had 93 tackles (10 for loss) and five sacks in 2023, playing on a unit coached by new UM defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. In Rutgers' bowl win against UM that year, he had eight tackles (two for loss) and a sack. But he tore his ACL in an August 2024 practice, his second torn ACL in three years. At 6-2 and 236 pounds, he's a natural weak-side or middle linebacker and was one of the most accomplished defenders remaining in the portal. Toure has 23 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 37 games at Rutgers, having played in four seasons and missing two others with the ACL injuries. UM added North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner a week ago, but Toure is the front-runner to start opposite Wesley Bissainthe. Adding Toure gives UM a very good and deep linebacker room; Raul Aguirre, Jaylin Alderman, Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt all had good moments during spring practice. Toure is UM's eighth portal addition since spring practice ended, joining receivers Keelan Marion (BYU) and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati), Bonner, Tennessee safety Jakobe Thomas, Auburn cornerback/safety Keionte Scott (who spent the past four months with Houston), North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown and ex-Texas kicker Bert Auburn. In the months before spring practice, UM plundered the portal to add quarterback Carson Beck, ex-LSU receiver CJ Daniels, ex-Tulane tight end Alex Bauman; UAB tight end Jack Nickel; center James Brockermeyer; Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay; cornerbacks Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin) and Ethan O'Connor (Washington State) and Charles Brantley (Michigan State); cornerback Emmanuel Karnley (the Arizona transfer then left UM in April); former Jacksonville State safety Poyser; ex-Charlotte long snapper Adam Booker and erstwhile FAU kicker Carter Davis. Lobbying of Cantwell Former Miami Hurricanes star offensive tackles Bryant McKinnie and Vernon Carey this week lobbied offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 prep prospect in the 2026 class, to pick UM when he selects a school on Tuesday. Miami, Georgia and Oregon are the top contenders. 'Hey @jcantwell24, choosing the University of Miami was the best decision I've ever made—it fulfilled a lifelong dream,' former Miami offensive tackle and NFL first-round draft pick Bryant McKinnie posted on X. 'I came to The U with big goals, and I left having achieved even more.' Carey, also on X, said: 'From one No. 1 offensive lineman to another — The U is the move,' Carey Sr. wrote on X. 'Something special is brewing in Coral Gables, and we need you, @Jcantwell2499!' The 6-7, 300-pound Cantwell, who attends high school in Nixa, Missouri, visited UM in the spring and will visit Georgia on Saturday. says UM has told Cantwell it can pay him $2 million as a freshman as part of an NIL deal, though another recruiting web site said that figure is inaccurate and being floated by another school to hurt UM's chances.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Livvy Dunne relaxes in Florida while while Paul Skenes faces growing doubts
Livvy Dunne relaxes in Florida while while Paul Skenes faces growing doubts (Image Source: Livvy/Instagram) Paul Skenes' girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, is taking some time off in Florida. The ex-LSU gymnast is on vacation at Hutchinson Island South with her older sister, Julz. The two have been soaking up the sun and relaxing by the ocean and playing in the water. Livvy closed out her gymnastics career at LSU in April. LSU wasn't at the NCAA finals this year, so her team couldn't retain their title from 2024. Operation Sindoor Pahalgam payback continues: Operation Sindoor Day 2 keeps Pakistan on edge 'Operation Sindoor': PM Modi chairs high-level review meet on national security Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC It was her fifth season and last at LSU, and she bid the team adieu after the semifinals. Livvy Dunne shares vacation moments while Paul Skenes prepares for Mets start Livvy Dunne posted vacation photos as a story on Instagram on Wednesday. In an image, she's fishing in a red bikini and denim shorts, captioned "Catching dinner." In another, she's in black, sprawled outside said the tiniest shack, maybe taking a sip. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo Livvy Dunne had an injury on the knee during a meet against Arkansas, after which she was unable to compete for much of the season. Despite this, she stayed around her teammates and supported them. After their final meet, Livvy Dunne sat through an emotional tribute video that spanned nearly twenty years of Livvy's gymnastics career. With her college days over, Livvy Dunne has been on the move. She was most recently spotted at the Kentucky Derby as well as Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles rooting on Paul Skenes as he pitched against the Dodgers. Paul Skenes struggles as Livvy Dunne enjoys offseason break While Livvy Dunne gets her time off, Paul Skenes is struggling in his second year in the MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates . After a fine rookie season, things have not been as successful in 2025. Four wins, three losses, a decent 2.77 ERA, 47 punch outs, and 0.95 WHIP, but the wins certainly did not come easy. The last outing was against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 6, allowing two runs over six innings. The Pirates lost, Paul Skenes wants to rebound in his next start on May 12 against the New York Mets. Also Read: Paul Skenes' Girlfriend Livvy Dunne Responds To Viral Backlash With Grace And Humor
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
News, notes, thoughts, fallout from UM's post-spring portal cycle. And announcement coming
University of Miami News, notes, thoughts, fallout from UM's post-spring portal cycle. And announcement coming A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes as the football transfer portal activity begins to slow (players can still be signed, but nobody new can enter the portal): ▪ Unlike last spring, the Canes did not land every portal player that visited campus in April and early May. Miami, in particular, would have loved to acquire All-Big 12 safety AJ Haulcy (who picked LSU despite being wined and dined by the Canes) and defensive tackle Braxton Feely, who opted to stay at Boise State. Since spring ended, the Canes did not add an elite starting safety, a veteran defensive tackle or a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver (Syracuse slot player Trebor Pena, who was arguably the best receiver in the portal, visited Miami but opted for Penn State). It would have made a very good offseason an extraordinary one if a second top safety (besides Zechariah Poyser) or No. 1 receiver had been added. But in UM's defense, second portal cycle options at those positions were very limited; the Canes landed a pretty good safety in Jakoby Thomas and two solid receivers in Keelan Marion and Tony Johnson. And overall, this group of seven post-spring additions is a very good one, filling needs at receiver, linebacker, kicker and the defensive backfield. ranks UM among eight winners in the post-spring portal cycle after adding receivers Marion (BYU) and Johnson (Cincinnati), North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner, Tennessee safety Thomas, Houston cornerback/safety Keionte Scott, North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown and kicker Bert Auburn. Auburn gives the Canes a generally reliable kicker who was very good in 2023 and not quite as good last year, but still the best possible option to replace NFL-bound Andres Borregales. Marion and Scott give UM accomplished returners who once led their conferences in kickoff and punt return averages, respectively. Here's how assessed UM's portal efforts: 'Similar to a year ago with Cam Ward, Miami focused much of its winter portal efforts on a quarterback. The Hurricanes pulled off a stunner in January, landing Carson Beck, who passed on the NFL draft for the portal. Miami has worked this spring on surrounding Beck with talent, bringing in two new wide receivers in Marion and Johnson. Marion was a second-team All-Big 12 pick as a kick returner after taking back 18 kicks for 472 yards and two touchdowns last season, too. 'Miami was also able to land Brown, who appeared set to land at Cal until the Hurricanes made a final-hour move to land the Jerry Rice Award winner. The North Dakota State running back closed out 2024 with 1,183 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Reshaping the secondary was a priority for new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.' If you include the prespring portal additions, this transfer class deserves an A or A-, on paper. That group includes Beck, ex-LSU receiver CJ Daniels, ex-Tulane tight end Alex Bauman; UAB tight end Jack Nickel; center James Brockermeyer; Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay; cornerbacks Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin) and Ethan O'Connor (Washington State) and Charles Brantley (Michigan State); cornerback Emmanuel Karnley (the Arizona transfer then left UM in April); former Jacksonville State safety Poyser; ex-Charlotte long snapper Adam Booker and erstwhile FAU kicker Carter Davis. Finding an accomplished starting quarterback and several good defensive backs in the portal - plus a starting center and starting defensive lineman — makes this a successful Canes offseason by any measure. ▪ Because there simply wasn't an elite No. 1 boundary receiver in the portal, there's as much uncertainty about who will earn a top-four receiver spots as any offseason I can remember. Jojo Trader, who was injured late in spring practice, is a likely starter if he's healthy. Daniels (LSU's No. 4 receiver) and Marion (24 catches, 346 yards, TD last season have a legitimate chance to win the other boundary job, with Ny Carr, Joshua Moore and Dylan Upshaw competing. Johnson (48 receptions), 449 yards and six TDs last season is the front-runner in the slot, but explosive freshman Malachi Toney needs to play — inside or outside — and Ray Ray Joseph had a solid spring. ▪ UM's inability to find a veteran tackle from a weak crop of postspring portal options (Blay stayed at Boise; UCF's Bernard Gooden picked LSU) creates a big opportunity for freshman Donta Simpson and Daylen Russell to earn snaps as a No. 4 tackle. Probably the more likely scenario is one of the top ends (Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Armondo Blount) moving inside on passing downs and UM giving more edge snaps to Blount or Malik Bryant or to young players Hayden Lowe, Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett or Cole McConathy. ▪ Bonner, who was productive in seven starts for North Carolina State, becomes the front-runner to start opposite Wesley Bissainthe, but I wouldn't discount Raul Aguirre or Jaylin Alderman. Alderman was a productive starter for Louisville in 2023 and Aguirre repeatedly flashes. Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt could become factors. UM also is awaiting a decision from Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure, who was exceptional in 2023 (94 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks) but missed 2022 and 2024 with separate ACL tears. North Carolina, Penn State and Indiana also have been pursuing Toure. ▪ Beyond Feely and Pena, UM's other spring portal visitors who ended up elsewhere were defensive backs — Haulcy, UF's Gregory Smith (picked North Carolina), Colorado cornerback Colton Hood (chose Tennessee), UCF cornerback Brent Austin (chose Cal), Kansas State's Noah King (picked Colorado). Though Haulcy was a priority, some of the others weren't high priorities after UM made inroads with Thomas and Scott. Thomas will battle Markeith Williams and Dylan Day to start opposite Poyser. Scott, who was a productive slot corner for Auburn two years ago, will compete with Damari Brown and Brantley for snaps in nickel packages. He can also play safety and boundary cornerback, but is best in the slot. ▪ Offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 prep prospect in the 2026 class, is expected to pick his school on Tuesday, and Miami, Georgia and Oregon are the top contenders. The 6-7, 300-pound Cantwell, who attends high school in Nixa, Missouri, visited UM in the spring and will visit Georgia on Saturday.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Four-star DL JaReylan McCoy includes Auburn in top four
Four-star DL JaReylan McCoy includes Auburn in top four The ex-LSU commit will choose between Auburn and three other programs in early July. A four-star defensive lineman and Under Armour All-American has included Auburn in his top schools ahead of his summer commitment date. JaReylan McCoy, a four-star defensive lineman from Tupelo, Mississippi, has announced his top schools and a tentative commitment date, according to a report by Chad Simmons of On3. He tells On3 that Auburn, along with Texas, LSU, and Florida, are recruiting him the hardest and will be at the front of his focus ahead of his July 1 commitment date. The 2026 defensive lineman committed to LSU during the Under Armour All-America game on Jan. 2, but de-committed one month later on Feb. 3, which gives Auburn and several other programs the chance to sway his decision. Auburn will get the chance to make a giant impression on McCoy on May 16, when he stops by for an official visit. McCoy is a four-star defensive lineman according to On3 and Rivals, and is a five-star according to ESPN. ESPN ranks McCoy No. 2 among defensive linemen for the 2026 class, and No. 1 among recruits from Mississippi. Auburn has seven commits for its 2026 class, including four-star EDGE Hezekiah Harris. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
