OneArkansas NIL collective signs transfers, early enrollees

OneArkansas NIL continues to present opportunities to Razorback athletes.

The Arkansas-focused NIL collective launched in August 2022 and has quickly made an impact. A non-profit, the organization quickly signed up a large chunk of the Arkansas football team. It announced the re-signing of quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders last month — a major move after each decided to return for another season.

Now OneArkansas NIL has made another notable move, signing every incoming transfer and early enrollee, assistant director Sydney McGlone told On3.

Here is full roster of OneArkansas’ recent signings:

• Dylan Hasz
• T.J. Metcalf
• RJ Johnson
• Jaylon Braxton
• Dallas Young
• Brad Spence
• Carson Dean
• Luke Hasz
• Joey Su’a
• Paris Patterson
• Luke Brown
• Malachi Singleton
• Josh Braun
• Jacolby Criswell
• Andrew Armstrong
• John Morgan
• Lorando Johnson
• Marlon Crockett
• Antonio Grier
• Al Walcott
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Tyrone Broden
• Trajan Jeffcoat

As part of the agreements with each athlete, they promoted the United Way of Northern Arkansas for Arkansas 211 Day earlier this week. Dialing 211 on a phone brings the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country to the caller. Information can also be accessed at 211.org

The non-profit collective accepts donation, while facilitating NIL partnerships between athletes and charitable organizations in the area. McGlone pointed out the social media presence of athletes can easily help bring awareness to nonprofits.

Importance of roster retention

Making sure incoming transfers sign NIL agreements soon after arriving on campus has become a priority for NIL collectives across the country, especially in college football. While roster retention has become a driving theme, signing transfer sets a tone for the athlete’s career at the school. The same goes for recruits when arriving on campus.

Announcing the signings is just as important. The Ole Miss-aligned Grove Collective re-signed Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins four days before the portal opened.

ONEArkansas NIL has now signed 63 football players, while also commanding a presence with women’s basketball, gymnastics, baseball and men’s and women’s track. The organization is also working on signing members of the Razorbacks men’s basketball and softball teams.

The collective is led by Marvin Caston, a former Razorback football player and senior director of development at the Razorback Foundation. There are other connections between OneArkansas NIL and the nonprofit Razorback Foundation Inc., the private fundraising arm that raises millions of dollars in support of the University of Arkansas athletics department.

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office, Razorback Foundation executive director and general counsel Scott Varady is the collective’s manager and registered agent. McGlone did not provide specifics on funding, she noted Arkansas boosters have been willing to contribute.