Notre Dame DL Aidan Keanaaina signs NIL deal with ukulele company
Well if this isn’t the most perfect NIL deal out there, good luck finding one that is.
On Wednesday, junior Notre Dame defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina announced he has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Lanikai Ukuleles.
“I would like to announce my partnership with (Lanikai Ukuleles)!” Keanaaina wrote on Twitter. “These amazing ukuleles look and sound amazing. They are made with the best materials and produce beautiful music. I cannot stop playing my own! Thank you so much!”
He also wrote “#Polynesian” in his tweet, an ode to his heritage. The short video shows the junior unwrapping his instrument. Additional details from the partnership were not disclosed.
PROMOTION: Sign up for just $1 for first year at Blue & Gold
“The worldwide leader in ukulele innovation and development,” the company’s Twitter bio states. “We make ukes for the demanding modern player, professional musician and serious hobbyist.”
Lanikai Ukuleles sells 11 different variations of the instrument on its website and has several artist and tutorial videos as well. The products are available across the United States and internationally.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Coach Michael Vick
Former NFL star is college HC
- 2Hot
Zachariah Branch
USC 5-Star hits the portal
- 3
Jaylen Mbakwe
5-Star Alabama freshman staying in Tuscaloosa
- 4
Dan Mullen
Contract details released
- 5
Updated National Title odds
Latest odds on the CFP title chase
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
Keanaaina out with ACL tear
Unfortunately, Keanaaina has ample time on his hands to practice playing his new instrument, as the interior defensive lineman is sidelined for a while after suffering an ACL tear during the first spring practice on March 17. The circumstances are especially gutting given the junior was poised to have a huge role on the defensive line this season after the departure of interior defensive lineman Kurt Hinish for the NFL.
He will likely miss the entirety of the 2022 season, although there is a chance he makes it back out onto the gridiron late this fall.
To date, Keanaaina has seen the field five times, once his freshman season and four times in 2021. He played 33 snaps last year and recorded his first career tackle in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State on Jan 1. The 6-3, 310-pound defenseman has four years of eligibility left due to the COVID-19 waiver given to all 2020 football players and preserving a redshirt in 2021.
Keanaaina was a four-star recruit according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. player from Colorado, No. 47 defensive lineman and No. 409 player nationally in the 2020 class. Keanaaina hails from outside of Denver and attended J.K. Mullen. He played in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl his senior year.
