Gamecock Track and Field Star Rachel Glenn inks unique NIL opportunity with WWE

South Carolina student athletes have taken full advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities over the last year but Rachel Glenn’s might be the most unique.

A sophomore high jumper for the Gamecocks, Glenn inked a deal as one of 15 athletes with the WWE’s Next In Line class of 2022.

The class spans 14 schools and seven sports with Glenn fully a part of it.

“She’s tremendously fun-loving, she is always smiling,” assistant track and field coach Deletha Quarles said. “And she is also very capable and always kind of giggle sometimes at whatever her mistakes may have been.”

Glenn’s foray into this class is nothing but deserving.

During her first season at South Carolina she won a national championship and became an All-American. She also qualified and will represent the Gamecocks in the 2022 World Championships this month in Oregon.

The WWE attracts a certain kind of person for things like the Next In Line class, and Glenn embodies all of the criteria.

It was something she learned during her upbringing, growing into a relaxed and fun-loving child during her time in Southern California.

Glenn said her parents never put any added pressure on her to succeed as a kid, the primary goal being to have fun.

But there’s fun in succeeding, and Glenn ultimately grew into a track and field star that led her to South Carolina. Growing up, WWE wasn’t a big part of her life but Glenn is excited to see where this partnership goes.  

“I like acting,” Glenn said, “In high school, I was in drama class for three out of the four years and it was really fun.”

The opportunity popped up when one of her friends who was part of the inaugural Next In Line class.

Knowing Glenn had a large following—over 12,000 followers on Instagram—the friend reached out and the rest is history. WWE signed her and Glenn is now part of the 2022 class.

Getting to see first-hand how personalities are crafted in the WWE is exciting, but Glenn already knows what kind she wants to cultivate.

“I personally would like to do villains because I don’t know, I like to act evil,” Glenn said, laughing.

Glenn also has some experience in gymnastics from her time in high school before coming to South Carolina.

That’s something she thinks will benefit her if she does ultimately continue down this path.

“I’m really excited because like, I’m an athlete,” she said. “So I already have the endurance and natural ability to do things,” Glenn said.

Diversifying in athletics has become a new norm. Athletes who have been able to switch things up see less burnout. Quarles thinks that the WWE will be a nice way for Glenn to mix in something other than track at South Carolina.

“I do think in general in athletics, especially at this level, it’s good to have other opportunities that come and help balance the student-athlete,” Quarles said.

The Next In Line class of 2022 has yet to participate in any events since the signing in June. Check out the full list of athletes featured in the WWE’s Next In Line class of 2022.

With this program, athletes get access to the WWE’s Performance Center along with help brand building, media training and live event promotion. The WWE also helps with creative writing resources and community relations.

There is a chance after completing the program an athlete will be offered a WWE contract.

Full WWE NIL Class:

• Ali Mattox, Ole Miss Cheer & Dance
• Case Hatch, Arizona State Football
• Chandler Hayden, Tennessee Track & Field
• Cohlton Schultz, Arizona State Wrestling
• Derrian Gobourne, Auburn Gymnastics
• Ericka Link, Elon Volleyball
• Keshaun Moore, Hampton Football
• Luke Ford, Illinois Football
• Maliq Carr, Michigan State Football & Basketball
• Mikala Hall, Central Michigan Basketball
• Rachel Glenn, South Carolina Track & Field
• Ruben Banks, Arkansas Track & Field
• Thunder Keck, Stanford Football
• Tyanna Omazic, Miami Volleyball
• Zachary Knighton-Ward, Hofstra Wrestling