Kentucky Football players sign NIL deal with local school district

Here’s a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal we haven’t seen yet. Kentucky Football’s John Young and Octavious Oxendine have agreed to a partnership with the Paris City School District. The two players, both Kentucky natives, will serve as ambassadors for the district and make appearances throughout the school year.

“We are excited to announce the first partnership between a Kentucky school district and collegiate student-athletes,” Paris City Schools Superintendent Stephen McCauley said in a press release. “John and Octavious are not only two standout athletes but they are also tremendous young men who are great examples for all of our students to show how far hard work and determination can take you. I cannot wait for our students to get to know them and to learn from their experiences. We are grateful for the anonymous donor who made this happen.”

Young is a sophomore offensive tackle from Louisville (Christian Academy). After redshirting the 2020 season, he saw action in all 13 games in 2021 on special teams. Oxendine, a junior defensive tackle from Radcliff (North Hardin), was off to a promising start to his sophomore season but suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. LSU midway through. He earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. the Tigers. In six games, Oxendine totaled 15 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 2.0 sacks, and a quarterback hurry.

“I am very excited to partner with Paris City Schools,” Young said. “I can’t wait to interact with the students and community members of Paris. I look forward to meeting as many new people as possible as we go forward with this relationship.”

“Being able to be apart of something like this is an honor and I can’t wait to meet the Paris City students as well as the surrounding community,” Oxendine added.

Young and Ox’s first appearance is the school district’s summer block party on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Paris Elementary School. Party on, kids.