Auburn football players rack up NIL endorsements as the season begins

Auburn football players walk the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
Auburn football players walk the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. /
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College football was changed significantly when the NIL rules were passed over the summer, and Auburn football players were some of the first to announce huge endorsement deals. QB1 Bo Nix kicked things off with Milo’s Tea and soon added Bojangles and The JBoy Show appearances to his portfolio.

Though many people expressed worry over how the NIL rules would affect players on the team without the sort of star power that comes with the QB title, that doesn’t seem to be an issue on the Plains. The NIL love has been spread far and wide, and as the season continues more and more Auburn football players are benefitting.

Justin Ferguson of the Auburn Observer appropriately named the recent surge of NIL endorsements “The Chicken Wars” as Tigers begin to represent different chicken establishments across the Plains. Of course, Nix has Bojangles, but tight ends Luke Deal and John Samuel Shenker announced yesterday that they would be endorsing Guthrie’s:

Auburn football team captain and linebacker Owen Pappoe has taken advantage of several NIL opportunities this year, including hosting a football camp with teammates Smoke Monday, TJ Finley, and Shaun Shivers. His latest endeavor? Baumhower’s Victory Grille:

Senior center Nick Brahms announced on Twitter yesterday that the entire offensive line–yes, the whole O-line–is now sponsored by Big Mike’s Steakhouse. According to Brahms, the O-line will be eating at the steakhouse every Thursday and the Auburn family is invited to join them:

So far, it seems like the NIL partnerships are being extended to all corners of the football team, not just offered to the “star.” It’s great to see these guys take advantage of their opportunities and spread the love.

Next. Key members of AU's 2-deep return for ASU matchup. dark