Top Eight Collegiate Athletes Since 2016 That Could Have Benefited From the NIL Rules
As of July 1st, 2021, NCAA college athletes can officially benefit from their name, image, and likeness. It seemed like a no-brainer for the NCAA to allow their athletes to make money because there is so much money involved in collegiate athletics, but none of it goes to the performers, the game changers, the ticket sellers, the young men and women who with every and any action can change lives.
Many athletes have already taken advantage of this new opportunity and have made some money. But here are my top eight athletes that could have benefited from the new name image likeness rules.
Note: I’m not ranking by how much money these athletes have already made, just how marketable I think they are.
Number 8: Michael Pittman Jr
This one may come as a surprise considering Pittman isn’t the most exciting or well known player. But the former USC has a YouTube channel that had almost 10,000 subscribers in October 2019. Considering the fact that he already has an audience, I would imagine it would be easier for him to get a sponsor than someone who is newly starting a channel.
Number 7: Sam Ehlinger
The hometown hero, the man who went from watching Texas Football games to winning Texas football games. To me it’s simple, he brought Texas back to relevance, he even said it himself. On the gridiron, he could make any throw he needed to and could run over and make defenders miss in the open field.
Number 6: Tua Tagovailoa
With Tua in charge, Alabama’s offense was a big play waiting to happen. With an entire state behind him, his marketability should be sky high. Plus, who can forget when in the fourth quarter of the national championship game, Alabama looks like they’re going to lose, but suddenly Tagovailoa comes off the sidelines and wins them the championship.
Number 5: Baker Mayfield
Watching Oklahoma Baker Mayfield was like anticipating the climax of a movie. One minute he’ll be running around lineman then throwing a laser deep. The other minute he’s been refused a handshake from a preschooler and losing his mind trash talking a basketball school.
Number 4: Tacko Fall
Tacko Fall was probably not the most skilled of the bunch, but this article is about marketability, not talent. Tacko Fall is 7 foot 5, has a great story, and his first name may or may not be similar to a well known Mexican food. He was a popular college player who dazzled all viewers with his height and could have made some major NIL money.
Number 3: Lamar Jackson
Louisville Lamar was simply put amazing. Jackson regularly shed defenses by running around and hurdling defenders, something we hadn’t seen for more than a decade. In his Louisville years, Jackson won 8 major awards including the Heisman trophy, destroyed the number 2 team in the nation, and gained one of the coolest names in sports, Action Jackson. Pretty marketable to me, considering his playstyle, ability, and sick nickname.
Number 2: Lonzo Ball
Can you imagine how much money Lonzo Ball could have made from Big Baller Brand had NIL rules applied back when he played at UCLA? Lonzo in Westwood did it all. He led the nation in assists, beat three different top 5 teams, made step back threes like you couldn’t believe, and may have brought the excitement back to Pauley Pavilion. Ball had a fast and exciting playing style, a very outspoken father, and a bright future. What’s not to love?
Number 1: Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson was the most exciting player in college basketball since who knows when? The rare mixture of strength, size, and athleticism made Williamson the show everyone, even President Obama, wanted to watch. His dunking ability, friendly nature, and exciting playstyle would have made him some major money, period.
