Colorado's Travis Hunter signs NIL deal with FreeForm Sports, joins advisory council

Travis Hunter continues to build out one of the boldest brands in college football.

The Colorado defensive back and wide receiver is one of the most followed athletes in the sport. He’s now signed an NIL deal with FreeFrom Sports, joining the company as a member of its Athlete Advisory Council. Through the agreement, Hunter will provide his input in product development and will release a line of custom pads and wristbands available for sale.

Launched in 2022, FreeForm creates products using 3D printing technology to create equipment that has been worn by athletes at Colorado, Texas, Ohio State and TCU in practice and games. Because of the name, image and likeness era, the brand is working with Hunter to boost its brand awareness.

“I love the look and feel of FreeForm Sports’ athletic gear,” Hunter said in a statement. “I am partnering with them so I can help shape the future of performance equipment.”

The Colorado star wore FreeForm thigh pads in the season’s final two games against Washington State and Utah. The pads were printed to feature his “TH” logo, now available for sale on FreeForm’s website at $60. As part of the 3D printing, the company has released wristbands that feature Hunter’s logo and number.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Freeform Sports (@freeformsports)

According to a press release, another batch of athletes is set to join Hunter on the advisory council in 2024. Several players have already signed on to collaborate with FreeForm on NIL deals to promote the collectible wristbands.

Hunter continues to use his NIL platform to work closely with up-and-coming companies. He’s the featured athlete for SoHoodie, a brand that produces one-size-fits-all hoods. The Colorado star has his own collection, which features the slogan “I’m Him” in gold and black.

Travis Hunter’s growing NIL brand

Five years ago, for example, Travis Hunter would be catching national headlines for his standout season. He finished the regular season playing 1,032 total snaps, finishing with 57 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns. On the defensive of the ball, he tallied 30 total tackles with three interceptions.

Thanks to name, image and likeness, the two-way star is monetizing his publicity rights.

His social media following has seen a notable uptick this season, now sitting at more than 2 million. Beyond Instagram, X and TikTok, however, he’s built a major YouTube page.

With more than 282,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, he can profit from the videos he posts. His coach also runs a successful YouTube page, managed by Deion Sanders Jr. and named “Well Off Media.”

Past the YouTube success, 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.

He re-signed his endorsement deal with Celsius Fitness Drinks this season. And he gave back with custom cleats through a partnership with 7-Eleven. The cornerback and wide receiver is repped by SMAC Entertainment and Constance Schwartz-Morini.

Hunter holds a $2.1 million On3 NIL Valuation. The valuation is No. 4 in college football. It is also No. 7 in the On3 NIL 100, the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation. It also ranks No. 5 in college football.

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.