OK…so the new Name/Image/Likeness rules are out & I’ll be totally honest, I’m FASCINATED by all of it. This opens up a TON of conversation. I’m sure we’ll all learn more about it but to keep it short: I’m 100% in favor of the new rules. I’ll have more on it later…but I got to thinking….
We often talk about how professional athletes of the past didn’t make NEARLY amount of money they’d be worth today because sports just isn’t the same. How much would Willie Mays be worth today? Or Hank Aaron? How about Dan Marino or “Mean” Joe Green? What would Wayne Gretzky’s contract look like?
One day, we’ll have this same conversation about college athletes. So with that, here are my top 5 COLLEGE athletes from the TWITTER ERA (2006 – present) that I think would’ve benefitted the most had they played today:
5 – Trevor Lawrence (Quarterback – Clemson) Imagine the flowing locks of hair blowing in the wind on TV’s all over the country. The commercials almost write themselves.
4 – Cam Newton (Quarterback – Auburn) Say what you want about Cam’s NFL career but he was DOMINANT in college. His smile looks GREAT on TV. He would’ve cashed in something FIERCE.
3 – Johnny Manziel (Quarterback – Texas A&M) Let’s be honest – “Johnny Football” made more money than most of these guys already. He ADMITTED IT to Barstool. The Money Man was already THE ROCKSTAR of college football with his style of play & attitude and I’m pretty sure he would’ve pushed 7 figures in autographs & endorsements if he was “allowed” to.
2 – Zion Williamson (Forward – Duke) There aren’t many “must see TV” guys in college basketball these days but in 2018-2019, Zion was IT. Consensus #1 prospect in the country. Freakish athleticism. A seemingly nice guy. Zion was IT. You turned Duke on just to see him, even if they were crushing Alabama A&T Tech State or whatever. Zion was a national name before his 1st game and would’ve pulled in HUGE NIL money.
1 – Tim Tebow (Quarterback – Florida) You may HATE Tim Tebow. You may LOVE Tim Tebow. But you know a few things about Tim Tebow including his fanbase was PASSIONATE and he was a great football player. There haven’t been too many openly, deeply, religious, GREAT college football players- in history. The line of companies to have Tebow endorse them would’ve been LONG.
Honorable mention: Ndamukong Suh, Kemba Walker, Joe Burrow, Ben Simmons, Derrick Rose
Who would YOU add to the list?
Cheers!
~Wickett
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