By: Drew Hyatt
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On July 1, 2021 the National Collegiate Athletic Association approved Name, Image, and Likeness policies. For the first time, college football players were able to create profit off their talents and popularity.
With the introduction of NIL, schools have erected collectives to help these athletes navigate their personal brand. Arkansas EDGE’s Chris Bauer believes NIL is helping athletes receive recognition for their skills.
“Those talents that we’re blessed with give us different opportunities whether it be in college sports or anywhere else. You can say the same thing on the academic side. Some people are more blessed with intelligence. Some people are better at math, said Bauer. “Some people are better at writing. It is upon the individual to take advantage of those gifts that they were given. They are taking advantage of the opportunity and gifts that they were given and so you know if it creates an inequality of some type. There are inequalities against life. There just is. It’s part of human nature.”
Throughout the 2024 NFL Draft, teams will select from a pool of high caliber players. The majority of these players contracts will exceed seven figures. However, roughly 1.5% of college football players are drafted. Therefore, most student athletes playing window will end after school. They are capitalizing while the opportunity is still available.
For example, Arkansas starting quarterback, KJ Jefferson’s NIL valuation stood at $380,000 in 2023.The 2023 Second Team SEC Preseason Quarterback stats regressed from the season before. He threw for 541 less passing yards, five less touchdowns, and three more interceptions than the season before.
The sixth year senior will be using his final year of eligibility in Orlando, as he transfers to play for the UCF Knights. In 2024, Jefferson’s NIL valuation allegedly exceeds $700,000. Perhaps, his current trajectory of regression keeps him from ever playing in the NFL.
Coming from the small town of Sardis, Mississippi where money is not the easiest to come, Jefferson has faced hardships and disadvantages in his personal background. A noteworthy struggle he faced was his mother suffering a stroke while he was playing high school football. While he may not hear his name called on a draft night, boosting his NIL this much could shape a bright future for someone who did not have everything easy his entire life. Many other players share a similar experience.
While cornerback Dwight McGlothern and KJ Jefferson led the in NIL for Arkansas football players last season, offensive lineman Joshua Braun managed to earn $168,000. It may be expected to see a quarterback and other skill positions near the top of the list, the grunt work provided by offensive lineman have just as crucial of an impact to each play because plays would collapse at the line of scrimmage. Arkansas struggled in pass protection last year, as they gave up forty six sacks on year. Braun believes the five man unit will be different this year.
“On paper it’s a completely different unit. We’re a brotherhood, we’re the tightest offensive line unit that I’ve been a part of and that’s a breath of fresh air,” said Braun. “We’re just excited to get back to work on Monday.”