This Gator great could have been biggest NIL moneymaker of the past 30 years
The new era of name, image and likeness deals has turned the college football landscape upside-down as previously amateur athletes try to cash in on their value both on and off the gridiron. This nascent paradigm is a vast departure from the old days when players were expected to simply play for the pride of their university without compensation, though there was never any shortage of dark money flowing below the radar.
Now that at least the initial phase of the transition into the NIL era is in motion, the coaches, fans and media have a better idea of the beast that they are dealing with. While things are slowly becoming more clear, there are also many more questions arising — some pertaining to the direction the sport is heading and others looking back at what could have been.
The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman undertook the latter in his recent mailbag article, answering the question of who would have been the top five NIL moneymakers over the past 30 years of college football. The top name on the list was none other than Florida Gators legend Tim Tebow, who was among the most prolific players to ever grace the collegiate gridiron. Here is what Wasserman had to say.
Is there a more marketable college football player of all time? Tebow was a five-star dual-threat quarterback prospect in the 2006 class, so he had that going for him. Then he turned into a legend at Florida, whether it be the “I promise” speech after the loss to Ole Miss, his Heisman Trophy or the two national title teams he was a part of while in Gainesville. Tebow is an advertiser’s dream, but he also would have made bank in the speaking engagement circles.
Following Florida’s third Heisman Trophy winner at No. 2 is the top prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, quarterback Arch Manning, who will certainly get his chance to cash in. Following him is Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was a larger-than-life personality during his time in College Station, and at No. 4 is the USC Trojans‘ legendary running back Reggie Bush.
Oddly enough, the fifth entry on the list is Bo Jackson, who played college with the Auburn Tigers much longer ago than 30 years, so it was a bit of a surprise to see his name mentioned — though there is no doubt an athlete of his electric caliber would have brought in some serious endorsements between his play on the football field and the baseball diamond.
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Florida Gators football helmets throughout the years
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