College athletics are in the middle of a huge shift, and athletes like Cade Klubnik are right at the center of it. Klubnik, who quarterbacks for the Clemson Tigers, has seen the wild changes in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules up close.
At first, he felt like a *guinea pig* in this new system. Now, he’s locking down deals with big brands like Samsung. Klubnik’s story gives a kind of inside look at how college sports endorsements are changing—sometimes faster than anyone expects.
The Evolution of NIL in College Athletics
The NCAA’s move to let athletes profit from their name, image, and likeness turned college sports on its head. Since July 2021, NIL has changed so much, affecting recruits and current players alike.
Cade Klubnik, now valued at $2.1 million by On3 for his NIL, has been one of the faces of this change. It’s a lot for anyone, let alone a college kid.
From High School to College: Navigating NIL
His NIL journey started back in his senior year at Austin (TX) Westlake. NIL rules were just starting to become legal then, and he honestly calls the whole thing *crazy*.
He’d already committed to Clemson when everything started changing—collectives, revenue-sharing, new NIL twists popping up almost every month. There was barely time to catch your breath.
Securing High-Profile NIL Deals
One thing that stands out about Klubnik’s NIL path is his knack for landing big-time endorsement deals. Most recently, he signed with Samsung and joined their Team Galaxy lineup.
That puts him in pretty good company: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, and Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier are all on the team too.
Joining Team Galaxy
Klubnik didn’t hide his excitement about teaming up with Samsung. He said it’s a real honor to be part of a brand with such a strong reputation.
He also mentioned how much Samsung is investing in NIL, and pointed out that the Galaxy Z Fold7 is a hit with his Clemson teammates. Makes you wonder how many are carrying those around campus now.
Additional NIL Partnerships
Samsung isn’t his only deal. Klubnik has also landed partnerships with Celsius and Collegiate Legends.
That last one even led to a custom bobblehead—just one of those quirky, cool perks that come with this new NIL world.
Representation and Support
He’s got Athletes First as his agency, and they’ve been a big part of his success off the field. Klubnik credits his team for helping him navigate all the NIL twists and turns.
Clemson’s been supportive too, especially when it comes to stuff like financial management and revenue-sharing. That kind of backup probably makes a big difference.
Conclusion
Cade Klubnik’s path through the NIL world has been pretty eye-opening. His story shows just how many doors can open—and how many hurdles pop up—when college athletes start landing big endorsements.
He’s worked with brands like Samsung, which is no small feat for a student-athlete. But honestly, figuring out all the NIL rules and keeping up with changes isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
If you’re curious about the details of Klubnik’s NIL experience or want to see what his Samsung partnership looks like, check out On3’s detailed article.
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