Bryce Young launches NFT project, becomes first college athlete to do so

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner08/27/21

Jonathan Wagner

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has become the first college athlete to launch their own NFT project, according to College Football Insider Brett McMurphy. Young’s “Rookie” NFTs will be available starting at noon on Tuesday, August 31. They will feature illustrations by artist Arturo Torres.

NFTs, non-fungible tokens, is essentially cryptocurrency in art form. This, in short terms, means that the art and illustrations will be able to be exchanged for different items. Young and Torres are focusing on engaging the community with these NFTs.

“An innovative NFT project from Bryce Young and Arturo Torres focused on community engagement,” Bryceyoungnft.com states.

When the website launches on August 31, 3,626 pieces of art will be available, according to Front Office Sports. The NFTs will serve as tokens, and they can earn video chats with Young, early access to future drops, and autographs and apparel. This is arguably one of the most unique deals the college football world has seen since the introduction of new NIL rules.

Young has already made a lot on NIL deals

Despite having yet to start a game as Alabama’s quarterback, Young has done very well for himself through NIL deals. Young was a high school phenom, passing for 13,250 yards, running for 1,084 yards and accounting for 178 total touchdowns.

After sitting behind Mac Jones last season as Alabama went undefeated and won a national championship, Young is now getting his opportunity to lead Alabama’s offense. Despite his lack of experience at the college level, the amount of success Young has seen through NIL deals is outstanding. A lot of that success comes from his status as a highly touted recruit and the expectations on him as Alabama’s next quarterback. Now, Young has a new NFT project to go with his NIL deals.

“Our quarterback already has approached ungodly numbers,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “I’m not going to say what they are. He hasn’t been a starter. If I told you what he’s… it’s almost seven figures. And it’s like the guy hasn’t even played yet. That’s because of our program.”