Cedric Johnson explains how he, Ole Miss handles NIL

Ole Miss linebacker Cedric Johnson‘s ventures into the world of NIL – and his entire team for that matter – wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Rebels initiatives targeted at educating the athletic department from the athletic director, to the football teams’ walk-ons .

“The coaches, they’re preparing us and our staff, they’re preparing us,” Johnson said about how Ole Miss has been helpful to him regarding NIL. “They bring in people to talk about things we never even consider like having to do like taxes, a W2 form, so they’re teaching us everything and informing us with everything we need to know.”

Johnson currently holds a NIL Valuation of $13,700, according to On3. While that doesn’t compare to the Valuations of the likes of college football’s finest – it’s still a healthy living for any other college student, especially when you take into account their athletic scholarship.

NIL deals fluctuate throughout the every program depending on marketability based on individual on-field performance. One of the initial concerns many within college athletics had while NIL was implemented in 2021 was that it wouldn’t be fair for some players to make next to nothing, while others are raking in millions.

While Johnson can’t speak for other programs, there’s no jealously within the Rebels program when a teammate secures a major deal. Instead, there’s nothing but love for their brothers.

“I would say just – not giving someone their props, but just knowing and respecting that they got that,” Johnson said. “I mean, it’s not really a jealousy thing. We’re all brothers – his success is my success. I’m just happy for the next man, for him to be making some money.”

Johnson helped the Rebels make program history last year, having the first ever 10-win regular season. His 6.5 sacks helped Ole Miss en route to their first Sugar Bowl berth in program history against Baylor, and believes the Rebels’ team chemistry will lead them to a higher ceiling when the season

“I feel like us continuing to have a bond as a brotherhood,” Johnson said. “Just continue to stick together and work together and not have animosity with each other. You know, new transfers, it can be different things so I feel like staying together. Inviting the new transfers, welcome them in, love them. I feel like that’s just the biggest thing.”