The landscape of college football has changed dramatically since the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy took effect on July 1, 2021. Student-athletes can now make money from their personal brands, and things feel a bit more like NFL free agency than ever before.
LIFT Sports Management has jumped right into the mix, working to make sure top college quarterbacks get paid for their skills and have a shot at long-term success. It’s a new world, and they’re busy helping shape it.
The NIL Revolution: A New Era in College Football
When the NCAA put the NIL policy in place in 2021, it was a huge change for college athletes. For the first time, they could take sponsorships and official deals, making money off their own names and images.
Before this, athletes were punished for even trying to cash in on their success. Now, there are all sorts of new ways for players to earn, and it’s changed college sports at the core.
Quinn Ewers, a high school quarterback from Southlake, Texas, was one of the first big names to benefit. He started at Ohio State, then transferred to Texas, and quickly became a trailblazer for NIL deals.
His agent, Ron Slavin, pointed out how Ewers landed major brand partnerships with EA Sports, Uber, and Hulu. Ewers kind of set the standard for what’s possible for young athletes now.
The Role of Agents and NIL Foundations
With NIL taking off, agents and NIL foundations became much more important. They help athletes land big deals and figure out the tricky business side of things.
Slavin teamed up with Jared Fox and quarterback coach Rich Scangarello to create LIFT Sports Management. Their goal? Make sure athletes get paid, sure, but also that they’re set up for whatever comes next—whether that’s pro sports or something completely different.
The Challenges of the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal is another game-changer. It lets players switch schools without having to sit out, so they can chase better opportunities or bigger payouts.
This has made college football feel even more like a wild, high-stakes free agency. Schools are constantly trying to keep or attract top talent, and the money on the table can be huge.
Impact on Player Development
The portal gives players more freedom, but it’s not all upside. There are worries about how this affects player development, especially for quarterbacks.
Rich Scangarello, who’s coached in the NFL, has his doubts about the quality of coaching in college right now. He thinks chasing quick money can actually hurt quarterbacks, who need stability and real coaching to grow.
Take Will Levis at Kentucky, for example. Scangarello saw younger players with big NIL deals getting playing time over more experienced guys. That messes with the usual way quarterbacks develop and, honestly, might leave some less ready for the NFL.
LIFT Sports Management: A Stabilizing Force
In all this chaos, LIFT Sports Management tries to be a steady hand for quarterbacks. They lock in big deals for their clients and offer support beyond just the contracts.
They recently pulled off $45 million in deals during the transfer portal window. That’s not something you see every day.
Case Studies: Brendan Sorsby and Josh Hoover
Brendan Sorsby’s story really shows what’s possible. ESPN ranked him the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, and he picked Texas Tech over a bunch of other big programs. His deal? Over $6 million.
He said the facilities and staff at Texas Tech made the difference, not just the money. That’s worth noting—environment still matters.
Josh Hoover’s path was a bit twistier. He started out committed to Indiana, switched to TCU, then ended up back at Indiana, wanting to play for certain coaches and fit into a specific offense.
At TCU, Hoover threw for 9,627 yards and 33 touchdowns. When a player’s goals and situation line up, you can see just how much they can accomplish.
The Future of College Football
Looking ahead, NIL deals and the transfer portal are going to keep shaping college football. Agencies like LIFT Sports Management will be right in the thick of it, helping athletes get paid while also making sure they’re ready for whatever comes next.
A New Standard for Quarterbacks
LIFT’s mission is to build the perfect ecosystem for college quarterbacks. The goal? Help these athletes really unlock their full potential.
They focus on what each player actually needs, not just a one-size-fits-all plan. With support that covers all the bases, LIFT wants to change the way quarterbacks are developed in the NIL era.
Look at Ewers, Sorsby, and Hoover. Their journeys show how the right mix of financial backing, a solid environment, and expert advice can push athletes closer to their dreams—on the field and off.
For a deeper dive into how NIL is changing the game and what LIFT Sports Management is doing, check out the full article here.
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