College athletes across the nation have profited off the new era of collegiate sports, with NIL taking over as the biggest attraction to those staying in school. Blue-chip prospects and Heisman Trophy candidates have been swarmed with constant promotional requests, but many players seem to have found their niche in the NIL business.
Whether it's million-dollar contracts, luxury cars, or an overabundance of marketing opportunities, athletes across the nation have taken complete advantage of the new norm.
NIL contracts established a standard for recruiting and team personnel, but some of the deals in 2022 have created a national buzz since athletes and team collectives are now comfortable with playing the game.
Decoldest Crawford Signs with HVAC Company
Nebraska wide receiver Decoldest Crawford recently inked an NIL deal with a local HVAC company, SOS Heating & Cooling. There hasn't been a better company-and-player fit in the NIL landscape than this one. Crawford has been well known for his name since high school, going viral from a Louisiana news station interview in 2019.
The incoming freshman has been with the Cornhuskers for just a few months, and he's already one of the most popular names on the roster. Large businesses and corporations, including Nike and Gatorade have benefited from NIL rules, but local businesses have slowly put their footprint on the market.
Crawford is the new spokesperson for SOS Heating & Cooling, having the ability to profit off his name and support small businesses. He's established financial success before stepping foot on the college gridiron. If Crawford can flourish in Nebraska, he may be one of the most desired ambassadors in college football.
Bijan Robinson Signs with Lamborghini Austin
Arguably the nation's top running back, Bijan Robinson of the Texas Longhorns broke the internet when he partnered with Lamborghini in Austin, Texas. Most college athletes spent time negotiating with local businesses or respected brands such as Cash App and Raising Cane's, but Robinson took another step forward to the land of luxury.
Companies including BMW and Ford have secured NIL deals with collegiate athletes, but a high-class brand such as Lamborghini hadn't joined the movement until then. Robinson opened the door for athletes such as C.J. Stroud and Shilo Sanders to sign deals with high-class car companies like Bentley and Porsche.