USC quarterback commit Julian Lewis signs NIL deal with jewelry brand Jaxxon
Julian Lewis continues to show why high school athletes have NIL value.
The USC quarterback commit signed with Athletes First for NIL representation last month, coming within days of the Georgia High School Athletic Association approving name, image and likeness, allowing high schoolers to monetize their publicity rights while not losing eligibility status. He followed it up by signing a six-figure deal with Leaf Trading Cards.
Now the four-star prospect in the 2026 class has added his second endorsement deal, agreeing to terms on a partnership with Jaxxon. Full terms were not released; he announced the deal on Instagram on Sunday night.
The men’s jewelry brand works with some of the biggest names in sports, including Cody Bellinger, Austin Ekeler and Joc Pederson.
“Waited on this one!” Lewis wrote on Instagram. “Thankful to be a part of the family.”
Lewis is now the company’s first high school athlete to serve as an ambassador. Known for its high-quality jewelry, Jaxxon focuses on creating men’s accessories such as chains, rings and bracelets.
While he’s viewed by many as the future star of college football, the quarterback is also built to succeed in the NIL space. The sophomore in high school has more than 194,000 social media followers. Lewis has thrown for 2,190 yards with 34 touchdowns and one interception. He’s led Carrollton to a 9-1 record; playoffs start Friday night against Harrison.
Julian Lewis’ rising NIL marketability
Leaf showed last month that Julian Lewis brings real value to a brand from a NIL standpoint. Now he’s added a second deal, working with Jaxxon. Securing commitment from major companies early on could be a preview of what’s to come.
Viewed as a generational quarterback talent, Lewis made the decision to wait out the GHSA instead of moving to a state where NIL is permitted at the high school level. Sources told On3 that part of the reason the state association even moved to make a decision on NIL was because of Lewis.
Leaf Trading Cards was only the starting point for the 6-foot, 185-pound quarterback. Athletes First will be guiding him throughout the process. With two more years remaining of high school ball, more national brands will want to begin their relationships early with Lewis. Plus, some Georgia-centric brands will try to work with him before he leaves for Los Angeles.
The heavily-touted quarterback committed to USC after making just four visits to meet with Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. Working with Riley, who’s built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, was obviously part of the draw. The No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, made it to Los Angeles for USC’s game Saturday night against Washington.
The NIL success Caleb Williams has found since winning the Heisman Trophy last year surely factored in, too. The City of Angels provides all the resources needed to shoot quality content for brands. Most companies who will want to align with him have offices in the nation’s second-largest city. Filming a commercial and zipping back to campus for practice could be an average day for Lewis.
The USC brand itself is one of the most valuable in college sports, too. As the NIL market continues to develop, more endorsement deals could incorporate institutional marks. Williams showed that in a recent NIL campaign with United, posing in a USC uniform on an airport tarmac.
Lewis boasts a $477,000 On3 NIL Valuation, sitting at No. 7 in the high school football NIL rankings. The annual projection is sky-high because of the value his social media following provides to brands.
The valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.