D.J. Uiagalelei inks NIL deal with Bojangles
CHARLOTTE — D.J. Uiagalelei has officially entered the world of Name, Image and Likeness.
The Clemson quarterback has signed a deal with Bojangles, which already does work with teams around the ACC and SEC. Just a sophomore, Uiagalelei partnered with talent management agency VaynerSports on the opening days of the new era of college sports, and on Wednesday he inked his first contract.
Uiagalelei and North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell are the first student-athletes to sign with the fast food chain, which focuses on cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. The Tigers first-year starting quarterback will use his social media brand to share content and ads from Bojangles. ESPN’s David Hale was the first to report the news.
“College football is a huge passion point for Bojangles and our fans, so we are excited to be able to work with the athletes that make this sport so great,” said Jackie Woodward, chief brand and marketing officer for Bojangles, in a release. “These local stars have enjoyed our delicious food to fuel their athletic careers, and we’re thrilled to officially be part of their journey.”
Uiagalelei added in the release that Bojangles is his go-to spot.
“Coming from California, I’ve learned that this area is serious about three things – faith, college football and their Bojangles,” he said. “I’m excited to be working with a brand that has become my go-to since coming down here.”
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Uiagalelei takes over the starting job with the departure of Trevor Lawrence to the NFL. A former five-star recruit, his name has already been thrown in with the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. As his brand and name continues to grow, more opportunities will open for the quarterback. If he is able to lead Clemson back to its sixth-consecutive ACC title and another College Football Playoff appearance, he will be one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in college football.
“I think it’s understood. You look at the landscape of what we do as young people,” Clemson running back Darien Rencher recently said about star players profiting more than others. “People have more followers than other people. It’s an understood thing… The leadership on each team is going to have to lead more this year than they have in the past, because there will be egos and stuff that come about.
“But at the same time it’s life. It’s business. There definitely is a way to do it and everything to be OK.”
D.J. Uiagalelei has his first NIL deal. It could just be the start of a national brand for the Clemson quarterback.