UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson takes teammates on boat ride thanks to NIL success
NIL has gotten a bad reputation in some circles – largely because of “pay-for-play deals” from some collectives. However, there are moments when NIL can create some cool opportunities and lifelong memories. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and his teammates know all about that.
Thanks largely to the star quarterback’s nearly double-digit NIL deals, Thompson-Robinson was able to rent out a yacht last week. He took the entire offensive unit on a boat ride ahead of fall camp – all on his tab with money generated from NIL.
“It was awesome,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We got a boat down in Marina Del Rey. Rented one out for a couple of hours to take the offense out and break bread and everything.”
The Bruins offensive unit even got some surprise chaperons for about 15 minutes.
“It was really cool,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We got to see dolphins. We got a police escort with the dolphins. We got to really enjoy it. I didn’t know it was a lot of guys’ first time out on the water like that. So, I’m glad I could get to share that moment with them.”
Dorian Thompson-Robinson earns teammates’ respect
The boat ride on the Pacific Ocean was definitely a new experience for wide receiver Jake Bobo. Bobo is originally from Belmont, Mass. He is considered one of the most 10 most impactful wide receiver transfers after moving to UCLA from Duke.
“I couldn’t tell you how it was five to 10 years ago, but I imagine it was a little different, just in that aspect,” Bobo said. “I don’t know if guys were going out on boats two days before camp, just having a good time as a group on money that was basically athletic-driven.
“I don’t have a lot of experience with all that. I have to make some more plays before that happens. But Dorian with the position he has, it’s cool to see him take advantage in that way instead of just doing individual stuff that I know he can do.”
While the boat ride was a lot of fun, Thompson-Robinson also made sure his teammates knew what was ahead of them.
“I let all those guys know at the boat … ‘You guys have an opportunity to play,’” Thompson-Robinson said. “‘But only if you do the work that it takes.’”
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has $300K On3 NIL Valuation
Dorian Thompson-Robinsoncurrently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $309,000. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. The On3 NIL Valuation calculates the optimized NIL opportunity for athletes relative to the overall NIL market and projects out to as long as 12 months into the future.
Thompson-Robinsonranks No. 117 in the On3 College Football NIL Rankings. But don’t be surprised to see him climb in the future, especially since he’s already completed impactful NIL deals with companies like SoFi, crocs, v-moda and FriendsOverFans. He also has a strong social media presence with more than 745,000 followers – including 634,000-plus on TikTok.