2027 QB Derrick Baker inks NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards

Derrick Baker is making NIL history in the state of Florida.

The 2027 quarterback prospect is only starting to ramp up his recruitment, but he’s already landed more than a dozen scholarship offers. Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and West Virginia, among others, are already involved.

Ahead of his sophomore season at Fort Lauderdale (Florida) St. Thomas Aquinas, Baker has become one of the first high schoolers in the Sunshine State to ink an endorsement deal. The quarterback has entered an exclusive trading card deal with Leaf Trading Cards. Full details of the agreement were not shared.

The Florida State Board of Education ratified bylaw changes last week from the Florida High School Athletic Association to allow name, image and likeness activities for its athletes without forfeiting the ability to play prep sports.

The bylaw changes were initially passed by the FHSAA Board of Directors in early June by a unanimous vote and after 45 minutes of additional debate, including from a coach who spoke about his opposition to the new bylaw. The FHSAA vote was then officially rubber-stamped by the board of education Wednesday after 30 minutes of additional debate.

Derrick Baker latest to sign Leaf NIL deal

The moves allow Derrick Baker to ink a deal with Leaf, which has emerged as a major spender in the high school space. Since the inception of NIL in college sports in the summer of 2021, the race has been on for trading card brands to sign top high school recruits.

Leaf has spent more than seven figures on top 2025 high school quarterbacks. The trading card brand has signed agreements with USC commit Julian Lewis, Florida DJ Lagway, Tennessee commit George MacIntyre and Notre Dame commit Deuce Knight.

The trading card deal has also signed agreements with 2027 quarterbacks Peyton Houston and Trae Taylor.

“One of the most fun things for us is seeing that we can really help a lot of these families before they’re able to get the big money,” Leaf’s president Josh Pankow previously told On3. “We’re not running a charity, but it’s really nice to be able to help these families early on.”

A dual-threat quarterback, Baker played in 11 games as a freshman. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder threw for 442 yards and six touchdowns on 32 of 44 passes. He added 150 rushing yards and a score, too. He camped at Virginia and Maryland in June.

“This wasn’t something I thought would come together when I was in high school,” Baker told On3. “I just want to thank my parents for everything they’ve done to help me get to this point, and also all of my coaches and teammates for pushing me and helping me get better every day. This is just the beginning.”