As college athletes begin to take advantage of their “names, pictures, and likenesses”, the new rules could lead to big decisions for elite high school players.
The best high school quarterback in the country is reportedly weighing two options.
Quinn Ewers is the number one high school recruit in the country, according to Rivals.com.
“According to most experts, he throws just like Patrick Mahomes,” said Dallas Morning News sports reporter Joseph Hoyt. “He’s going to be the next big thing.”
Ewers also wears a signature blonde mullet and has a strong social media presence with over 80,000 followers on Instagram.
The star quarterback wants to realize his worth during his senior year of high school.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Ewers have already been offered approximately $ 1 million worth of advertising deals to use their “Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)”.
The problem is, a new state law in Texas prohibits high school athletes from accepting NIL deals that were only recently allowed for college athletes.
The 18-year-old soccer phenomenon is now wondering whether to graduate from Southlake Carroll High School early, close deals, and go to Ohio State to play ball.
It should be noted that this young man is in a very unique position as his academic skills, status as a top athlete, and role as a social media influencer may allow him to graduate from high school in three years instead of four.
“Long story short, high school players have value,” said Hoyt. “When it comes to value, he has a lot of it. There are other such players as well – Mikey Williams is a high school basketball player who just moved to an unapproved school to take advantage of his NIL benefits. “
Hoyt said he wouldn’t be surprised if Ewers became a trailblazer for others.
“Some elite prospects will have to make decisions: ‘Do I play for my high school or do I leave high school sports, train alone and then collect my name, image and likeness deals in the meantime? “Said Hoyt. “[Ewers] was a player who everyone believes will be a first-round pick at some point. If you want to market such a player, it would probably make sense to get in on the ground floor. “
The Southlake Carroll High School coach did not respond to a request for comment.
NBC 5 asked Rodney Webb, the football coach at Denton Guyer High School, to respond to the situation surrounding the northern Texas teenager and the rules surrounding NIL deals.
“We’re breaking new ground with UIL,” said Webb.
Webb stressed that Ewers’ decisions will only apply to a very small number of elite student athletes.
He is concerned about the “ripple effects” or “unintended consequences” of the NIL rules and associated Texan laws.
“How can you blame a child for having the opportunity to make so much money,” said Webb. “But at the same time, every time we start messing up a high school kid’s career and just the purity of the game. The purity of the high school experience. The inherent value of the experience a high school kid has … It’s really going to put these kids in quite a difficult position. “
“At this point in time we have not yet heard from the Ewers family of his decision for the school year 2021/22,” said a spokesman for Carroll’s ITS. “Right now we’re excited to announce that Quinn will continue his high school education experience as a dragon.”
Ewers’ father, Curtis Ewers, said the family made no comment on Thursday.
A Dallas-based kombucha company denied offering Ewers an advertising deal despite reports to the contrary.
“With Quinn, we actually have no offer at all on the table,” said Holy Kombucha founder Theresa Pham.
Pham said Ewers and his family are close friends and avid customers who support the company’s overall mission to prevent youth suicide.
“This kid loves our kombucha, his family loves our kombucha, and we kept in touch,” said Pham. “Who says there couldn’t be a deal if he graduated?”
Webb said he would advise his student athletes to enjoy the gift.
“I think it’s important to be where your feet are and you never know what tomorrow will bring and enjoy the moment today … College and professional levels are companies, and at those levels it’s a very profitable industry “He said School is about relationships. It’s about having fun with your pals and I would love to see each child play throughout their eligibility. “
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