Nike Signs Eight College Football Stars to NIL Deals Ahead of 2026 Season

Nike expanded its college football NIL portfolio in a significant push ahead of the 2026 season, inking eight players to deals across multiple programs, highlighted by signings at Texas, Ohio State, Clemson, and a historic agreement with a high school prospect.

Among the most prominent additions are Texas pass rusher Colin Simmons and wide receiver Cam Coleman, both of whom signed NIL deals with Nike. The two Longhorns join a growing stable of Nike-sponsored Texas athletes that already includes Dia Bell, Ryan Wingo, and Jonah Williams. Nike also extended a deal to Neimann Lawrence, a 2028 Texas recruit, as part of the same announcement.

Henry Jr. and Cobbins Among Headliners

Ohio State five-star freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. also signed with Nike, joining two other Buckeyes who already hold NIL agreements with the company. Henry Jr. arrived in Columbus as one of the most highly regarded recruits in the 2026 class, and the deal adds him to Nike's expanding roster of players projected to reach the NFL.

The most historically notable signing came on July 16, when Springfield's Jermaine Cobbins, 16 years old, agreed to a deal with Nike. According to ESPN, Cobbins is the youngest football player ever to sign with the company, a milestone that underscores how aggressively brands are moving to secure top prospects at increasingly early stages of their careers.

Six Clemson football players were also featured in Nike's announcement, which the company framed around a 25-year partnership with the program. The broader rollout reflects Nike's strategy of locking in high-profile college athletes — and even future recruits — before the start of each season, as the NIL marketplace continues to mature and grow more competitive.

The wave of signings positions Nike with a significant presence across several of college football's premier programs heading into the fall, with the company describing the roster as composed of athletes it views as future stars at the professional level.