The First to Ever Do It… in CFB🏈
Expectations are even higher this year with more players buying into what Deion is selling…
You know we are living in a new era when college football players are signing deals with Nike. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of coach Deion Sanders, is the first college football player to sign an NIL deal with Nike. He will have his own line of licensed apparel and footwear.
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Sanders is not the first NCAA athlete to sign with Nike. He follows in the footsteps of basketball phenom Caitlin Clark and Bronny James (LeBron’s son), who both signed deals when they were still in college.
BREAKING: Nike signed Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders to an NIL deal ✍️🔥 pic.twitter.com/i7B3EWAPxl
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) August 28, 2024
Sanders’ father Deion (nicknamed “Prime Time”) was a multi-sport superstar (NFL and MLB) in the 1990s when he was also a top Nike athlete. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has generated a lot of buzz and college football news as the coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. With his son Shedeur as his quarterback, the Sanders are looking for bigger things in the CFB world as their second season gets underway this Thursday.
There’s a sniff of nepotism in the high-altitude air here as no Colorado quarterback would make this type of historic deal with Nike if he didn’t come from incredible genes. But the company is backing on a star in the making, and the nice thing about athletics is that if you’re not good enough at your game, you won’t go that far no matter what your namesake is.
That goes for Bronny in the NBA, and it also will apply to Shedeur. But Sanders is potentially going to be a very high NFL draft pick next spring too.
Colorado star QB Shedeur Sanders signature shoe with Nike coming soon! 🔥👟
“He ain’t got next, he’s got NOW!”
– Deion Sanders 📈🦬
(Via @ShedeurSanders) pic.twitter.com/613g5chK0n
— unapologeticallybuffs (@yungdoeboi1_) August 28, 2024
How Much Does Shedeur Sanders Make?
Nike is a huge deal for an athlete, but Shedeur Sanders has already made deals with Gatorade, Beats by Dre, and Mercedes-Benz, so this was the next logical step.
According to On3, Shedeur Sanders’ net worth thanks to NIL is already an estimated $4.7 million. Not bad for a 22-year-old college kid.
While he was at Jackson State, Shedeur Sanders’ stats were strong (40 touchdowns to 6 interceptions in 2022), and against better competition in Colorado last year, he still impressed with 69.3% completions, 27 touchdowns, and 3 picks.
Shedeur threw on the shades and cap after the win 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YqiLFaOm5s
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 17, 2023
What to Expect From Sanders
Expectations are even higher this year with more players buying into what Deion is selling at Colorado. A better defense would help Shedeur win more games, but the numbers and big plays are going to be there for him.
Some sportsbooks are already giving him fair odds to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, while some mock drafts are already lining him up as a top 10 pick for a quarterback-needy team like the Raiders.
Sanders & Son will certainly draw a lot of attention all college football season long.
Shedeur Sanders is currently slated to make more in NIL this season ($4.7M) than the base salaries of:
• Caleb Williams (Bears)
• Jayden Daniels (Commanders)
• CJ Stroud (Texans)
• Brock Purdy (49ers)
• Jordan Love (Packers)
• Aaron Rodgers (Jets)
• Trevor Lawrence… pic.twitter.com/zwEXzDfML0— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 28, 2024
NIL Gone Wild
Expect companies like Nike to sign more college athletes going forward now that it’s accepted. Personally, I always thought these athletes deserve to earn money for their autographs and any signed memorabilia. No issues there or with this Nike deal.
However, NIL does get murky when it feels like a top prospect can be lured by the highest bidder in lieu of traditional recruiting that was already questionably shady.
The good news is hard work always pays off in sports. If you’re only in this for the money, your ass will get embarrassed on the field.
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