To be competitive in the current landscape of college sports, colleges must have top-notch NIL teams. This is an area where Ohio State has had success, which has led to them being able to land outstanding recruits coming through the transfer portal.
One of the stars they brought with them this year is safety Caleb Downs. Last season with Alabama, Downs was named SEC Freshman of the Year and was selected to the second team All-American.
Downs was also named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-SEC First Team. He earned all of these honors as he totaled 107 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
With Downs already making an incredible impact on the field, it was no surprise that he was a highly coveted addition. That has resulted in no money being spent, as he is valued at $817,000, which is 22nd in college football.
That number will only increase as Downs has signed a deal with Rhoback. The deal with the Buckeyes star, a sportswear brand, is for the upcoming season. Full details of the contract have not been announced, but On3 has reported that it will be worth up to $50,000.
“I am incredibly excited to partner with Rhoback as my official apparel sponsor and become a leading face of their Rhoback U program,” Downs said in a statement. “It’s easy to see why their presence in collegiate sports has grown so much and they continue to be one of the fastest-growing athletic apparel brands in the country.”
“Their products are the most comfortable I’ve ever worn and their media house continues to set the standard with engaging content. From their social content to their gear, I’m a huge fan of their presence in the Ohio State community.”
Downs will receive a commission on the sales he generates, and he will be a walking advertisement for the company, as it supplies him with a lot of equipment.
The Ohio State safety is the latest college football player to join Rhoback as an ambassador, joining Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Penn State running back Nick Singleton all under their sponsorship.
Last week it was reported that Texans quarterback Quinn Ewers and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard both signed contracts worth $100,000, and Rhoback has shown that they are not afraid to spend money in the NIL range to advance their brand.
