12. Spencer Rattler - Oklahoma QB - Raising Cane's
While sports fans may have expected 2021's Heisman favorite to partner with top sports brands like Nike or Gatorade in NIL's first week, Sooners QB Spencer Rattler kicked off his sponsorship career with an endorsement of Raising Cane's chicken... because nothing fuels elite performance like fried, greasy, fast food.
Stream our full discussion on "Name, Image, Likeness... and Madness" here.
11. Hercy Miller - Tennessee State Guard (Basketball) - Web App's America
Hercy Miller, son of rapper and business mogul Master P, inked the largest deal in NIL's short history when he signed for $2 million with what he described as "an American technology company."
That company, Web Apps America, has a Facebook following of 47 people, 11 LinkedIn followers, and a website offering very little information on its products and services.
It seems as though there's more to the story here...
10. D'Eriq King - Miami QB - College Hunks Hauling Junk
Senior Miami quarterback D'Eriq King won big on July 1st, signing 4 sponsorship deals including a $20,000 deal with College Hunks Hauling Junk moving company.
Reporting over 50 brand inquiries in his first day of business, D'Eriq King seems to be college football's hottest commodity this summer. I, personally, would recommend cashing in on that status ahead of Miami's September 4th matchup with Alabama.
9. Bo Nix & Malachi Moore - Auburn QB / Alabama DB - Milo's Sweet Tea
Minutes after midnight on July 1st, Auburn QB Bo Nix announced his endorsement of Milo's Tea. After a few Bama fans threatened to eliminate Milo's from their refrigerators this Fall, Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore announced his partnership with the brand as well.
8. UGA Backups (Tate Ratledge, Carson Beck & Brock Vandagriff) - Krystal's, Onward Rreserve
Tate Ratledge and Carson Beck have never started for the University of Georgia after one year on campus. Brock Vandagriff has yet to suit up for the Bulldogs. And yet all three appeared to cash in on NIL's opening week with brands such as Krystal's and Onward Reserve.
Ratledge initially earned his partnership with Barstool's NIL service with this tweet showcasing his legendary mullet:
7. Matthew Mayer - Baylor Guard (Basketball) - Visiting Angels (Living Assistance Services)
Matthew Mayer, a member of Baylor's "Mullet Brothers," received compensation to meet with caregivers and clients at Waco's Visiting Angels living assistance facilities last week.
I did not have "Paid living assistance visits" on my NIL bingo card.
6. Trey Knox - Arkansas WR - PetSmart
Two weeks ago Arkansas Razorback fans spread the word across Twitter to help wide receiver Trey Knox find his missing dog.
Apparently PetSmart caught wind of the support this story generated and formed a partnership with with the junior wideout - who amassed 70 yards in his sophomore campaign.
5. Dawand Jones - Ohio State OT - Mountain Berry Candle
GoPuff partnered with Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand "Mountain" Jones to promote its Mountain Berry scented candle.
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry - Alabama DB - NFT
Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry is working with SkyBox sports to sell an NFT that packages an online collectible with his personal tickets to Alabama home games.
All I can say is that if a certain juice brand fails to strike a partnership with Kool-Aid, NIL is a waste.
3. Kennedy Mullins - Trevecca Soccer - The Rick & Bubba Show
Kennedy Mullins became the first female soccer player to sign an NIL deal when she agreed to promote The Rick & Bubba Show during a live segment. Her payment? $100 in cash, 3 t-shirts, and a spatula.
As a former intern of the show, I can personally confirm that Kennedy Mullins just became the highest paid intern in Rick & Bubba history.
2. Jordan Bohannan — Iowa Guard (Basketball) - Iowa Boomin' (Fireworks)
Iowa's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made signed autographs and auctioned off a pair of game-worn shoes at a local fireworks store this Fourth of July weekend.
Patience is finally paying off for the 6th year senior.
1. Matthew Coghlin - Michigan State Punter - Locked On Spartans Podcast
The Locked On Spartans podcast beat us to it as they apparently paid Michigan State punter Matthew Coghlin to give this glowing endorsement:
Honorary Mention: UGA Offensive Line - Local Man's Pool Party
One Georgia fan offered $100, hotdogs, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream for an offensive lineman's best cannonball at his family pool party.
Unfortunately, nobody cashed in on the lucrative offer.
In this week's podcast, Mike and I dove deep into NIL's wild first week. We not only discussed the deals above, but also how NIL will reshape the competitive balance across college sports.
Listen here:
Also streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and Stitcher.