Georgia's Arian Smith lands NIL deal with Caddix Cleats

Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith has secured a unique NIL deal. He is joining forces with shoe company Caddix Cleats, which designs cleats to help reduce injuries.

Caddix recently released SmartStud technology designed to reduce the risk of non-contact ACL, MCL and ankle injuries. The company offers a range of options for athletes, including men’s low and mid-football cleats, as well as women’s soccer cleats.

Caddix announced Smith’s deal, orchestrated by Gaines Group Activations, earlier this week and released a video as part of the deal Thursday.

“We are thrilled to welcome Arian Smith to the Caddix family,” said Jack Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Caddix Cleats, in a statement. “His ability to display consistent high-level performances, combined with his historically successful collegiate career, makes him the perfect ambassador for our cleats.”

Smith has 31,000 social media followers, including 23,000 on Instagram, as he gets ready for his fifth season at Georgia in 2024. During that time, he battled through his share of injuries – including a torn meniscus as a freshman. The agreement with Caddix is Smith’s first major NIL deal, and it will help promote “the fusion of sports excellence and technological innovation.”

“Arian’s injury history is the backdrop to our collaboration with Caddix Cleats, emphasizing the seamless fit between his needs and Caddix Cleats’ commitment to providing that through innovative footwear,” Gaines Group Activations CEO Cannon Gaines said in a statement.

More on Arian Smith’s career at Georgia

Smith’s biggest play at Georgia came in the 2022 College Football Playoff against Ohio State. During that Peach Bowl matchup, he hauled in a 76-yard touchdown as part of a 129-yard effort to help the Bulldogs defeat the Buckeyes and advance to the national championship.

All told, Smith has appeared in 20 games during his four years in Athens, totaling 539 yards and six touchdowns. He played in a career-high eight games in 2023 and finished the year with 153 yards and two touchdowns to help UGA to a 13-1 record.

Smith arrived in Athens as a highly touted recruit in 2019. A four-star prospect, he was the No. 80 overall player and the No. 15-ranked wide receiver in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Georgia is currently getting ready for spring practice, which gets underway next week and ends with the G-Day spring game on April 13 at Sanford Stadium.