JLab launches college football NIL campaign with top quarterbacks, wide receivers

Through its partnership with Learfield, JLab already has partnerships with top college football programs that include coach’s headsets and in-stadium signage.

The audio company is now investing in college football, signing NIL agreements with 11 athletes. JLab launched an NIL program this past winter and now has 58 athletes and 17 Division I schools in the campaign.

Excel Sports Management’s brand marketing division assisted in facilitating the deal. The college football athletes, dubbed “JLab Playmakers,” include:

• Travis Hunter, Colorado
• Graham Mertz and Chimere Dike, Florida
• Jackson Arnold and Nic Anderson, Oklahoma
• Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
• Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
• Miller Moss and Zachariah Branch, USC

The season-long agreements call for the players to star in a social media campaign for JLab. The full terms of the deals were not disclosed.

JLab built the NIL roster with assistance from Learfield – the media and technology company powering college sports – who is the athletics multimedia rights holder for nearly all participating schools. Because of this, athletes will wear their schools’ logos and marks in the campaign

“Partnering with a brand like JLab is a game-changer for me,” Hunter said in a statement. “Their support for college football and fantastic headphones helps me stay focused and motivated before and after each game. I’m excited to share my journey with fans and show how JLab’s gear will play a role in my performance this season on and off the field.”

JLab tabs college football stars

The audio equipment company’s NIL campaign marks another major brand spending dollars this fall. JLab partnered with some of the sport’s biggest names.

Howard is coming off his first start at Ohio State, throwing for 228 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win over Akron. The former Kansas State transfer led the Wildcats to a 31-28 overtime victory against previously unbeaten TCU in the 2022 Big 12 Championship Game. He’s recently signed with Grippo’s Chips, EA Sports College Football and the Ohio State NIL collective, The Foundation. He holds an On3 NIL Valuation of $933,000.

Hunter holds a $2.7 million On3 NIL Valuation, ranked third in college football. The two-way player opened this season with seven catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns. On the defensive of the ball, he tallied three total tackles. Hunter has long-term contracts with the Michael Strahan Brand, Actively Black and NXTRND. He’s tapped into his fishing hobby through NIL, inking deals with WaterLand Co., KastKing and Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan recently became the first duo to ink an NIL deal with a private jet company. McMillan had a standout Week 1 performance, finishing with 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns. McMillan has a $706,000 On3 NIL Valuation while his quarterback’s On3 NIL Valuation sits at $813,000.

Moss went 27 of 36 for 378 yards and a touchdown on Sunday night in Las Vegas, coming up big in USC’s 27-20 win over LSU. His On3 NIL Valuation has spiked to $791,000. Viewed as one of the top special teams players in the country, Zachariah Branch recently signed with the Jordan Brand. He touts a $445,000 On3 NIL Valuation.

Former top-10 recruit Jackson Arnold threw for 141 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of Oklahoma’s Week 1 game against Temple. He’s signed with the 1Oklahoma NIL collective and has a $650,000 On3 NIL Valuation.