The 1890 Initiative continues to sign key Nebraska Cornhuskers players to NIL deals

The 1890 Initiative continues to make a big NIL splash in the Nebraska market.

The Nebraska-focused NIL collective launched in October 2022 by former Husker wide receiver Matt Davison and businessmen Tom Peed and Shawn Peed has turned heads with its roster of NIL deals. Many of the deals have been focused on helping new coach Matt Rhule with roster retention. But 1890 also has announced initiatives with the Husker baseball team and with many of the top players on Nebraska’s nationally respected volleyball program.

This week, The 1890 Initiative has announced more deals focused on football, especially with one of Nebraska’s top prospects landed through the transfer portal.

Over the past five days, 1890 has announced new NIL partnerships with:

• Cornerback Tommi Hill
• Cornerback Dwight Bootle II
• EDGE Blaise Gunnerson
• Safety Corey Collier
• Safety Isaac Gifford
• Offensive lineman Jacob Hood

The 1890 Initiative deals with key NU players

Hill – who transferred in 2021 from Arizona State – began the 2022 season as a cornerback, lining up on defense for the first five games of the season, including starting the first four games. But before the game with Rutgers, Hill moved to wide receiver and emerged as the Huskers’ top returner.

Hill is expected to play a major role on defense after he was moved back to corner by Rhule this winter. So, signing him to a NIL deal was important from a retention standpoint. Hill has an On3 NIL Valuation of $47,000.

Bootle was an early enrollee and is a key part of the Huskers’ 2023 recruiting class. As a senior at Miami Palmetto, Bootle recorded 32 tackles. As a junior at Miami Killian, Bootle was credited with 67 tackles, 22 pass breakups and one interception. He helped Palmetto to the state semifinals as a sophomore, the best playoff run in school history. Bootle has an On3 NIL Valuation of $19,900.

Gunnerson played in every game in 2022, seeing action on defense and special teams. He tied his career high with two tackles at Rutgers, making one stop on defense and a key tackle on a Scarlet Knights blocked punt that prevented a touchdown. Gunnerson has an On3 NIL Valuation of $45,000.

A former four-star recruit out of Miami Palmetto, Collier was a significant pickup for the Huskers this offseason. Collier transferred to Nebraska from Florida and helps fill a need at safety. He ranked as the No. 22 safety in the portal, according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. Collier played in four games in 2022 for Billy Napier’s squad, primarily on special teams. Collier has an On3 NIL Valuation of $43,000.

Gifford played extensively as Nebraska’s primary nickel back in 2022, starting 10 games and ranking third on the team in tackles with 70. Gifford has an On3 NIL Valuation of $44,000.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Jacob Hood committed to Nebraska after entering the NCAA transfer portal. The 6-foot-8, 342-pound true freshman didn’t see the field this year and should have all four years of eligibility remaining. He has an On3 NIL Valuation of $23,000.

The 1890 Initiative developing into top collective

The 1890 Initiative launched with much fanfare last October. But even then, collective leaders said it would take a little bit before we see the full scope of their game plan to assist Nebraska student-athletes. That game plan continues to take shape with all the deals the collective has executed.

Along with Davison’s ties to the program – which included 19 years on the Huskers’ radio broadcasts and helping raise $80 million for the NU’s new football facility project – having Tom and Shawn Peed associated is a big deal.

Additionally, the Peeds run Sandhills Global, a company that produces a diverse range of products and services from well-established trade publications and websites to hosted technology services. They are among the most successful businessmen in the Midwest. 1890 is initially focused on Husker football and volleyball student-athletes. The plan is to assist them with NIL opportunities in Nebraska through local charities, partnerships and networking with local businesses. NIL opportunities, according to 1890, will include camps and clinics, community outreach, autograph signings, public appearances, nonprofit engagement, social media promotions and other activities.