On3 NIL Elite Series: Experts tell recruits to 'not waste opportunity'
The best-of-the-best high school football prospects in the 2024 recruiting class are in Nashville for the On3 NIL Elite Series presented by Mizuno, the first event under the On3 OS division. The On3 NIL Elite Series is aimed to give each athlete and their family an education on the NIL climate they’ll soon enter in college. On3 is covering every angle of the event, with multiple reporters on the ground covering NIL to the latest on each athlete’s recruitment. This blog was updated throughout Wednesday with news, interviews and observations.
Watch HLXU Showdown featuring Madden NFL 23
4:30 p.m. – Be sure to tune in at 8:45 p.m. tonight to On3’s YouTube channel for live coverage of the Madden NFL 23 head-to-head tournament, powered by Hyperluxe Gaming.
On3 NIL Elite Series winding down
4 p.m. Wednesday – After being wowed by Kirk Herbstreit and Livvy Dunne, the On3 NIL Elite Series wraps up with the families and players spending the evening in downtown Nashville. Be sure to visit On3 throughout the rest of the week and also on our Twitter and YouTube channels for more coverage of the On3 NIL Elite Series.
Two special athletes
3 p.m. Wednesday – Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons poses with Livvy Dunne at the On3 NIL Elite Series.
Livvy Dunne works on NIL every day
2:40 p.m. Wednesday – Katherine Dunne, the mother of LSU gymnast and social influencer Livvy Dunne, says her daughter’s path to becoming the most followed college athlete on social media didn’t happen overnight.
“I do see the kid who goes home every day and works on it,” Dunne’s mother said. “I remember the kid when there was very little engagement and she posted four or five times a day.”
Livvy Dunne: Right partner key to building brand
2:20 p.m. Wednesday – LSU gymnast and social influencer Livvy Dunne is talking at the On3 NIL Elite Series about how she’s built her brand to become the most followed college athlete on social media. She’s also talking about how finding the right partner from an agency standpoint helped her be even more successful.
“For me, it’s the same as when I get an NIL deal,” Dunne said. “That our values align. That it’s someone I can trust. I had a bigger vision – WME could see my vision.”
Dunne has a $3.4 million On3 NIL Valuation. She also has a multi-year agreement with Vuori Clothing.
Kirk Herbstreit talks about the love of the game
1:45 p.m. Wednesday – Kirk Herbstreit has taken the stage at the On3 NIL Elite Series. Along with talking about how the game can leave a positive impact on the rest of their lives, he’s also answering questions from On3 Founder and CEO Shannon Terry and the recruits in attendance.
Herbie is in the house
1:15 p.m. Wednesday – Kirk Herbstreit has arrived at the On3 NIL Elite Series. Herbstreit will speak to the invitation-only group of elite football players and their parents from the Class of 2024 about how football can impact their lives.
NIL teaches athletes how to better handle money
1 p.m. Wednesday – Critics like to talk about the negatives associated with NIL. Yet, sports agent AJ Vaynerchuk of Vayner Sports sees nothing but positives with student-athletes earning money at an early stage, even if they make mistakes.
“The biggest thing that nobody is talking about is that before NIL, you have a kid with that much talent, that much success ahead for them when they’re finally able to monetize that via a professional contract, you’re talking about tens of millions of dollars,” Vaynerchuk said Wednesday at the On3 NIL Elite Series. “That’s their first experience with that amount of money. Based on my own experience, that often makes them the largest earner in their family tree history. A lot of times these athletes make mistakes with that type of money.
“What I like about NIL – outside of the fact that it’s finally fair to the student-athlete – the subplot being every young individual is going to make mistakes with money at some point in their life. I like them making mistakes when we’re talking $100,000, $200,000. Or with $10,000 or $20,000, as opposed to when they’ve got $50,000,000.
“Financial literacy becomes required of you by participating in this landscape is such a big benefit for future success.”
‘Some schools you know are lying’
Noon Wednesday – K.J. Bolden can tell when a school is trying to bluff. The Five-Star Plus+ defensive back has no problem talking NIL with schools. With so many recruits and current college football players earning dollars from collectives, he would prefer coaches to just be honest. That does not always happen, though, as he details in this new story from On3’s Pete Nakos.
Latest recruiting scoop on 10 top prospects
11:15 a.m. Wednesday – On3’s J.D. PicKell and Josh Newberg talked with spent some time talking with 10 of the top prospects at the On3 NIL Elite Series to get the latest recruiting intel, including Five-Star Plus+ targets Colin Simmons and K.J. Bolden.
Winston Justice: ‘Enjoy’ the college experience
10:45 a.m. Wednesday – Former NFL offensive tackle and USC star Winston Justice told recruits and parents at the On3 NIL Elite Series that’s important to not hit fast forward on their college experience. Justice, who is now an advisor for Bernstein Private Wealth Management, said his time in college went by way too fast.
“Two things look back that I tell my son now, this is one of the most exciting times in your life,” Justice said. “Enjoy it. That’s one thing. Looking back from my own mistakes, I didn’t really enjoy it. I was looking for the next thing. The next college. The next contract. Getting drafted.
“Be present here with here and now. Build a community with your coaches. I was so worried about trying out, working out and getting ready. I wasn’t able to actually create a relationship with my teammates, my coaches and also with my community. So, be present and build your community.”
Welcome to Nashville, Livvy Dunne
10:33 a.m. Wednesday – Livvy Dunne has touched down in Nashville for the On3 NIL Elite Series.
‘Use the game, don’t let the game use you’
9:45 a.m. Wednesday – Athliance founder and CEO Peter Schoenthal spoke with athletes and their parents about the ever-evolving NIL landscape. Agents and brands are constantly soliciting top recruits. Building the right team is vital to success, which means finding the right agent, lawyer and financial planner. Having an accountant for tax season is a must, too.
“Make sure your base is well set, and that’s making sure all your legal documents set you up for success today and tomorrow,” he said. “… Red flags. Look for the word perpetuity. Own yourself. You’re the value.”
‘Have character versus being a character’
9:30 a.m. Wednesday – On3 Founder and CEO Shannon Terry talked with the star recruits and parents in attendance at the On3 NIL Elite Series about how important it is to have character versus being a character.
“You must prove yourself all over again,” Terry said. “The starting point is now. The standard for you guys is higher than a college student. You don’t need to try to be cool in college. Let the frat boys and sorority people play that. You are special. You have a job. You have a mission.
“You must be professional. Think about having character versus being a character. That’s the game you’re in. Like it or not. It’s a blessing and a curse. But that is your responsibility and your opportunity at this point in time. More is expected of you. Stars matter. But you don’t want to be the guy that says, ‘Wow, I wasted that opportunity.’”
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On3 NIL Elite Series has officially started
9 a.m. Wednesday – The On3 NIL Elite Series is officially underway with ESPN’s Tom Hart kicking things off. The day will be filled with plenty of NIL education and is highlighted by keynote speakers Kirk Herbstreit and LSU gymnast and social influencer Livvy Dunne.
On3 NIL Elite Series player packs are sweet
8:45 a.m. Wednesday – The On3 NIL Elite Series sponsors stepped up to make sure the top prospects in attendance are looking good and well-fed.
5-star QB DJ Lagway talks Florida pitch, NIL
8:30 a.m. Wednesday – DJ Lagway is well aware he is a five-star quarterback committed to Florida. But as he spends time thinking about NIL opportunities and his brand, he wants to be approachable. And he wants people to understand who he is away from football. Read about how the future Gator’s signal-caller is juggling building his brand and success on the football field.
Latest recruiting intel from On3 NIL Elite Series
7:30 a.m. Wednesday – Chad Simmons, On3’s Director of Recruiting, uncovered plenty of recruiting scoop during the first day of the On3 NIL Elite Series, including Tennessee trending for a pair of five-star receivers and Miami is in a position to flip two committed five-stars.
Get the latest intel from Simmons in this On3+ story.
Recapping 1st day of On3 NIL Elite Series
7 a.m. Wednesday – Tuesday was check-in day at the On3 NIL Elite Series, and there were plenty of headlines from the event that featured so many elite football recruits in the Class of 2024. To get the full recap, be sure to check out our live blog from Tuesday. But here are some of the highlights:
- A highly touted 2024 recruit at the On3 NIL Elite Series said they were quick to call out bullshit with NIL in recruiting.
“One school, when they found out they weren’t in my top five, they threw out a big number,” the recruit that asked to not be identified told On3’s Pete Nakos. - When it comes to NIL, Florida quarterback commitment DJ Lagway said it’s a family affair.
“My dad handles all that,” Lagway said. “I leave that all to him. I just really just focus on playing ball and just getting better every day.” - Five-Star Plus+ defensive back KJ Bolden of Buford, Georgia, said he’s quickly figured out how to weed out schools that are overstating their ability to help student-athletes succeed through NIL.
“If a school is telling you that you’re going to get millions or in the millions range, that’s quarterback money,” Bolden said Tuesday after arriving for the On3 NIL Elite Series. “Receivers and safeties, we’re like in the $700K, $600K-ish range. Schools always tell me in those ranges there. I had a school tell me, ‘We’re going to get you $2 million during the first year.’ Come on. Some schools you know are lying. Some schools you know who’s for real.” - And at the end of the day, the recruits battled in the winner take all Madden NFL 23 head-to-head tournament, powered by Hyperluxe Gaming. You can watch it on On3’s YouTube channel.
Kirk Herbstreit to talk about football’s impact
6:45 a.m. Wednesday – Nationally known football analyst Kirk Herbstreit will also be a speaker today at the On3 NIL Elite Series.
Herbstreit has a multi-faceted role with ESPN which includes College GameDay. He is also an analyst for ABC’s Primetime College Football Game of the Week. In addition to Herbstreit being the Face of College Football, he also serves as an analyst for Amazon’s coverage of the NFL on Thursday Night Football.
Herbstreit will speak to the invitation-only group of elite football players and their parents from the Class of 2024 about how football can impact their lives.
“College football is such an important part of the fabric of the sports landscape,” Herbstreit said. “These players will become the leaders of our game and will carry a responsibility at a very young age. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with the players and parents about the unique era we are currently seeing.
“These young men have so much thrown at them and so many people talking to them. On3 has built a unique event to provide both information and perspective. I want to convey the importance of college football and how it can positively impact their lives.”
Olivia Dunne excited to share her ‘NIL journey’
6:30 a.m. Wednesday – LSU gymnast and social influencer Livvy Dunne will be a featured speaker at the On3 NIL Elite Series today. She’ll share how she has built her valuation. She’ll also talk about what she has learned since the inception of NIL. The most followed college athlete on social media, Dunne has a $3.4 million On3 NIL Valuation. She also has a multi-year agreement with Vuori Clothing.
“I’m really excited to attend the On3 NIL Elite Series to discuss my NIL journey with the top high school prospects in the country,” Dunne said. “On3 has been so supportive of student-athletes and I hope to continue that momentum with them. Nashville is one of my favorite cities and I can’t wait to get back for this event!”
Top On3 NIL Valuations at On3 NIL Elite Series
6:15 a.m. Wednesday – With so many talented recruits in attendance, it’s no surprise that most of the top student-athletes with high On3 NIL Valuations will also be at the On3 NIL Elite Series.
On3 has a look at the valuations of every player at the event. The headliner is Florida Gators’ quarterback commitment DJ Lagway. He has an On3 NIL Valuation of $620,000. Five-Star Plus+ receiver and Ohio State pledge Jeremiah Smith is also high on the list with a $452,000 On3 NIL Valuation.
Inaugural On3 NIL Elite Series kicked off Tuesday
6 a.m. Wednesday – Twenty-two of the top 100 prospects in the 2024 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, arrived in Nashville for the On3 NIL Elite Series. The event aims to give each athlete and their family an education on the NIL climate they’ll soon enter in college. Six of the athletes in attendance are able to monetize their publicity rights as high schoolers. Held at the Thompson Hotel in downtown Nashville, invitations to the event have been extended to athletes and a guardian.
“This event facilitates information and transparency into the marketplace for these athletes,” On3’s Athlete Network Development director Grant Frerking said. “Our goal is to create more opportunities to educate and prepare athletes to navigate a marketplace that is projected to grow to nearly $5 billion over the next few years.”
On3’s Pete Nakos has more details about what to expect Wednesday.
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