Heisman finalists reveal most important piece to navigating the NIL era of college football
Heisman finalists Bryce Young, Aidan Hutchinson, C.J. Stroud and Kenny Pickett know a thing or two about navigating the new NIL era of college football. Making it to the grandest stage of them all as the top players in the nation, opportunities to cash in aren’t exactly few and far between for the foursome.
As they gathered in New York, the group of young stars revealed their thoughts on how to navigate the trials and tribulations.
“Yeah, I think it’s incredibly important,” Hutchinson stated, when asked if it’s now just as important to get a CPA as an agent. “I know a lot of us are doing the big NIL deals and making sure you’ve got people looking over the contracts so they’re not taking your rights or anything. Being set up good financially with a good financial advisor. I think it’s important to get those guys in place, especially for up-and-coming athletes in college.”
Following up, Pickett stated he’s in agreement with Hutchinson on the matter.
“Yeah, I agree with Aidan,” stated Pickett. “I think it’s important to be smart and just do your due diligence with every deal you make, include teammates, give back to the community, so all great things if you handle it the right way.”
C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young on navigating NIL era
Furthermore, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young are arguably the two most marketable college athletes around. The duo revealed how they took to the new era of the sport.
“I think it’s also a great start for maybe a future in the NFL — where it’s a bigger scale. So, I feel like it’s a good jump start,” stated Stroud. “I know my guys who are representing me at Athletes First are doing a great job. Everything is really organized, and I really appreciate them because they keep everything organized. And I really just focus on ball, and they just approve or decline things for me.
“On top of that, it’s a blessing just to be able to provide for my family a little more. I know sometimes it was tough growing up financially for me, but now I’m able to provide for my family and sisters where I never thought I would at such a young age, so I’m truly blessed from God.”
Finally, Young is simply grateful to have the opportunity prior players didn’t. The Alabama star is thankful to be able to capitalize on his stardom.
“Yeah, kind of just to piggy back on what they said, I think it’s really good for everyone to kind of have this opportunity,” Young said. “There’s a lot of athletes in the past that weren’t able to capitalize like we kind of are now, and I’m glad that all of us at least have that opportunity, so just blessed to be in the situation that I am.”
Aidan Hutchinson, Kenny Pickett, C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young have navigated a new era of college football masterfully. The Heisman finalists set the standard for how players will look to gain notoriety through NIL.