Donovan Edwards takes over Houston Raising Cane's location following national title

Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards was the star of the national championship game, with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just six carries.

Now he’s a NIL star with Raising Cane’s.

In what has become a tradition for a star player who wins the national championship, Edwards arrived Tuesday morning at the 163 West Road Raising Cane’s location in Houston and started “running the kitchen like he does the field.”

#7 serving up our #1 Box Combo! pic.twitter.com/u85DYKOesm

— Raising Cane's (@raisingcanes) January 9, 2024

Raising Cane’s founder and CEO Todd Graves has been a massive supporter of NIL deals for college athletes. And getting to run the kitchen at Raising Cane’s has become a right of passage after a national title game.

It all started when former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett served fans at the location in Athens after winning his first national title. It happened again after Bennett led the Dawgs to a second title in 2023.

Then this past March LSU basketball’s Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Alexis Morris spent time as crew members at Baton Rouge’s Raising Cane’s as part of an NIL deal. Head coach Kim Mulkey also joined the group. Kansas basketball players Jalen Wilson, Christian Braun and Mitch Lightfoot also participated in the marketing campaign after last year’s national championship.

Donovan Edwards comes up big in title game

Donovan Edwards spent most of the 2023 season as the backup to running back Blake Corum. Corum emerged as one of the standouts in college football this season, which limited Edwards’ opportunities somewhat.

Yet, when he was called to step up in the College Football Playoff championship game, he didn’t flinch.

“I was happy for him,” Corum said after Michigan’s 34-13 victory. “That’s something Donovan was praying for. He talked to the media the other day. He’s working on growing. He said he went to a therapist and just talking and talking.

“But Donovan, he puts in the work. He’s always there. I love that guy. Don, the Don. That’s going to be what do you call it, a good friend – trusted agent, known friend for life. That’s my guy. I’m glad I got to share the backfield with Donovan. I wish Donovan nothing but the best, if he ever needed anything, best believe I’d be there for him.”

Quarterback JJ McCarthy jumped in to add his praise for Donovan Edwards.

“I’ve been honored to be his roommate for two years,” McCarthy said. “And just knowing everything he goes through behind the scenes and just the man he is on a day-to-day basis, this couldn’t have been a better moment for him to show out and show the world who he really is. And just so frickin’ happy for the guy.”

Donovan Edwards working behind the register at Raising Cane’s

🎥: @valiantuofm pic.twitter.com/upUrsOQkyB

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) January 9, 2024

Donvan Edwards’ NIL resume

Donovan Edwards has put together a solid list of NIL deals throughout the past two and a half years. Along with working through the Champions Circle collective, he has partnerships with NASCAR, The M Den, Powerade and Leaf Trading Cards.

But the new deal with Raising Cane’s is noteworthy not just because it’s such a big honor. It’s also a significant partnership with another major brand.

Edwards has an On3 NIL Valuation of $117,000.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.