Tennessee NIL partnership reveals details on quarterback deal

A Tennessee company that provides NIL deals to the school’s athletes has revealed the shocking dollar amount behind their starting quarterback deals. According to comments from Spyre Sports’ CEO James Clawson, they intend to help the starting quarterback for the Volunteers receive seven-figures per year from the new NIL deals.

Tennessee NIL deals for quarterbacks

Although Clawson didn’t mention anybody by name in his comments, his specific mention of the starting quarterback at Tennessee seems to indicate the amount of money Hendon Hooker is making to stay at Tennessee for another season. Hooker joined the Volunteers last season after three years with Virginia Tech, and had a breakout year with 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns.

“We feel like the quarterback at Tennessee can make as much money as anywhere in the country,” said Clawson. “If you go out and replicate the season Hendon Hooker just had, there’s no reason why at the end of the day in deals we do and other companies do or national brands, the quarterback at Tennessee shouldn’t make seven figures a year.”

Spyre Sports has filled a role for Tennessee football that is emerging as a need across the nation, as a company dedicated to empowering their school’s athletes to make as much money through NIL as possible. While they are not owned or operated by the school, they operate as an “official” Tennessee NIL partner to connect athletes with money from boosters or elsewhere.

“Our team is ready to create NIL opportunities for student athletes, digital marketing strategies for brands, and memorable experiences for businesses,” reads a statement from Spyre’s web site.

The fast-changing landscape of recruiting for college football has begun to show the importance of companies like Spyre as they toe the line of “pay-for-play.” While multiple programs around the nation and the SEC specifically complain about the speed at which NIL money is entering the recruiting process, programs around the nation are finding new ways to adapt to the new normal.

If Clawson’s comments are any indication, Tennessee appears to be setting a standard that they will be a top-tier destination for future stars who are looking to cash in on NIL. By claiming that Tennessee’s quarterback deserves to be paid equal to anyone in college football, they appear to be setting the stage for future NIL deals to increase in value with the rest of the college football world.