NIL opportunities are rapidly expanding, as top high school recruits and college athletes secure major brand partnerships across sports.
It’s not just college athletes who are earning NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money these days. More than 40 states now allow high school athletes to cash in on NIL deals.
Rules vary by state and by effort, and, in general, only the top high school athletes are getting NIL deals. But that group recently grew larger when Under Armour agreed to NIL deals with six elite high school football players to become part of the brand’s “Click-Clack” Class. Four of them are in the 2026 recruiting class, and two are in the Class of 2027.
In addition to high school athletes making headlines, several college athletes have recently signed major NIL deals. Here is a look at some of the top recent announced NIL partnerships:
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana Football
The senior wide receiver, nicknamed “Waffle House,” was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school. But Sarratt made a name for himself with a stellar campaign during Indiana’s magical season. He caught 55 passes and scored 13 touchdowns. He’s parlayed that production and a strong social media presence into a lucrative NIL profile. This week, he signed a major deal with Adidas. His Waffle House crew sweatshirt has been a top seller at The NIL Store.
Eric McFarland, High School Football Player
This wide receiver at IMG Academy won’t enter college until the fall of 2027, and he hasn’t made a commitment yet. But this four-star recruit already is cashing in. He recently accepted a deal with Under Armour to be part of the brand’s “Click-Clack Class.”
Easton Royal, High School Football Player
Like McFarland, Royal will be a member of the 2027 recruiting class. At the moment, he’s a junior at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. Royal has verbally committed to Texas, and his first NIL deal is to be part of Under Armour’s “Click-Clack Class.”
Jireh Edwards, High School Football Player
Edwards is a senior safety at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He has committed to being part of Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class. He has also agreed to an NIL deal to be part of Under Armour’s “Click-Clack Class.”
Zion Elee, High School Football Player
Top edge rusher Zion Elee, a high school senior at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, has signed with Maryland and secured a recent Under Armour NIL deal as part of the “Click-Clack Class.”
Joey O’Brien, High School Football Player
The safety at LaSalle College High School in Glenside, PA, has signed with Notre Dame and will arrive in South Bend in time for the 2026 season. He recently signed an NIL deal to be in Under Armour’s “Click-Clack Class.”
Ryder Lyons, High School Football Player
Ryder Lyons, a four-star quarterback committed to BYU after his mission in 2026, signed his first NIL deal with Under Armour before committing and recently joined the “Click-Clack Class.”
Acaden Lewis, Villanova Basketball
This freshman guard has become an instant star for Villanova, averaging 12.5 points and 5 assists per game. He is also becoming a star in the NIL world and recently signed a deal with CVS.
Maddie Webber, Illinois Women’s Basketball
Illinois junior guard Maddie Webber, a transfer from Villanova, is averaging 11.4 points per game and recently signed an NIL deal with Uber.
Fabiola Belibi, Harvard Women’s Track & Field
Harvard senior hurdler Fabiola Belibi, dominant in the Ivy League, recently signed an NIL deal with Live Alive Organic Cafe.
Sofia Chepenik, USF Women’s Lacrosse
Chepenik made headlines in 2024 while at Clemson, when she signed a lifetime deal with LootMogul that included an equity stake in the company. Since transferring to USF before the 2025 season, Chepenik has remained one of the most popular women’s lacrosse players for NIL deals. She recently signed a new deal with Dodge City Lax.
Why This Matters
These recent NIL deals demonstrate how brand partnerships are expanding, not only among college superstars but also reaching elite high school recruits and athletes from various sports. As rules continue to evolve, the landscape is shifting—offering more athletes the chance to turn their on-field achievements and personal brands into real financial opportunities.
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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