Under Armour All-Americans with big NIL earning potential on next level
In the NIL Era, the market rate varies from school to school. Multiple factors also have to be accounted for with NIL deals. Sometimes a program is offering more so an athlete flips their commitment. Others feel pressured to bring in a top prospect because they’re expecting to lose talent at the position.
While there is some uncertainty with the market, one thing is certain: recruiters and collectives are more focused on spending for difference makers in the transfer portal than for high school prospects.
But another thing is certain: There’s a handful of elite high school recruits playing in the Under Armour All-America Game who have massive NIL earning potential.
Kickoff of the Under Armour All-America Game is at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
Here’s a look at five Under Armour All-Americans with impressive On3 NIL Valuations and the potential for massive earning potential heading into the next college football season.
FULL 2024 UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME ROSTER | DAY 3 EYE-CATCHERS
QB Julian Sayin
On3 NIL Valuation: $813,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 1
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 5
Status: Signed to Alabama
When you’re the quarterback at Alabama, you’re already at the center of the national spotlight as part of an elite fraternity of impact players. But when you’re a top-five recruit, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, the best prospect in California and the future quarterback at Bama, then you’re generating even more attention.
That’s the situation with Julian Sayin, who arrives in Tuscaloosa as an early enrollee with an opportunity to do massive things on the field and with NIL.
Alabama has made big leaps forward with its NIL program, spearheaded by Yea Alabama. That certainly will help him with roster value opportunities. But Sayin also has a solid social media presence that’ll only expand his chances with local and national companies – assuming he sees success on the field like other Crimson Tide signal-callers.
“A five-star recruit, from California, that plays quarterback? Based on that criteria alone, Sayin should see plenty of NIL opportunities at the next level,” Charlie Potter of BamaOnline.com tells On3. “The summer before Bryce Young even started a game for Alabama, the then-sophomore signal-caller was almost up to seven figures for NIL, head coach Nick Saban let slide. With the similarities between the two players already existing, I could see Sayin receiving comparable interest from brands.”
QB DJ Lagway
On3 NIL Valuation: $763,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 3
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10
Status: Signed to Florida
Has Florida found its quarterback savior with DJ Lagway? Many Gator observers believe they have the Five-Star Plus+ signal-caller and No. 10 overall prospect in the country.
Simply put, Lagway is the face of Billy Napier’s 2024 class, and he’s deemed an absolute priority for the program. That means he’ll arrive in Gainesville with an impressive roster valuation, which will drive his opportunity to strike a quality deal with the Florida Victorious collective.
Also, don’t overlook the social media brand he arrives at Florida with. The 61,000 followers are nothing to sneeze at, which will make him even more attractive to local and national companies.
“From everything I’ve gathered, Florida is coming heavy in the NIL department for Lagway and understandably so,” Corey Bender of Gators Online tells On3.
“Quarterbacks are typically the face of a program, and with Lagway’s five-star ranking, outgoing personality and popularity among the fan base, he should be flooded with opportunities while attending Florida.”
EDGE Colin Simmons
On3 NIL Valuation: $491,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 6
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 11
Status: Signed to Texas
Opportunities should be readily available for Colin Simmons as soon as he makes the drive down IH-35 from Duncanville to Austin.
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As a Five-Star Plus+ recruit and the face of the back-to-back 6A state champions, Simmons’ name, image, and likeness already carry weight in DFW. Plus, don’t forget that the Texas One Fund is one of the top collectives in the country.
“Once he officially throws on the burnt orange for the newly-minted SEC program, he’s likely to contend for early playing time at a position that attracts a lot of eyeballs,” Inside Texas’ Joe Cook tells On3.
“Pair the potential of standout play on the EDGE, something that has not always been present on the 40 Acres during Texas’ doldrums, with his likely statewide popularity and Simmons stands to benefit greatly during the early years of the NIL Era.”
Cornerback Ellis Robinson IV
On3 NIL Valuation: $455,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 10
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 3
Status: Signed to Georgia
Ellis Robinson IV started his high school career at Iona Prep, one of the top high school programs in New York. However, after his sophomore year, he transferred to prep school powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
At IMG, he emerged as a top-five recruit and the nation’s No. 1 cornerback prospect. He also spent time working on building out a strong social media presence.
While he wasn’t able to engage in NIL activities while in high school, the fact that he’s going to Georgia, plays at a coveted position in the SEC and has a good following, should all contribute to NIL success. Whether it’s through an NIL partnership with UGA-focused Classic City Collective or on his own, the sky is the limit for the outgoing and charismatic Robinson.
WR Cam Coleman
On3 NIL Valuation: $440,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 10
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 4
Status: Signed to Auburn
According to On3’s Charles Power, nobody has had more “wow” performances during the practice sessions at the UA Game than Cam Coleman. His one-handed catches have been all over social media and ESPNU broadcasts. Plus, he was named MVP of the session on Sunday.
Coleman should be a star on The Plains. With Auburn’s focus on getting better offensively, he could be a centerpiece figure in the Tigers’ offense.
Plus, Coleman still has some room to grow from a social following standpoint, which only means he has massive expansion potential from a branding standpoint. But also, don’t forget that Auburn’s On To Victory collective does an impressive job of supporting the Tigers’ top football talent.