Alabama Football: Athletes with most to gain from NIL

Which Alabama football players have the biggest platforms?

We’ve seen plenty of Alabama football players make money in the NFL, but we’ll finally get to see them earn money during their collegiate days. Due to new NIL laws, college athletes can be paid by outside sources to use their name, image and likeness. We’ve already seen some sponsorships since the new rules went into effect, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

So, which Alabama players will have the best opportunity to make money while they are in college?

If you’re looking at Alabama football players, Bryce Young has to be at the top of the list. Assuming he lives up to the hype, he will be on every sports talk show as he competes for a Heisman. Every fan will know his name and face, and this will increase his value as a player.

Outside of the starting quarterback, players like John Metchie, Kendrick Blackshire, Henry To’o To’o and Kool-Aid McKinstry have the most followers on social media. This is the easiest way to profit from your platform. Businesses can simply pay them to make social media posts on their behalf.

While these names will be the easiest to recognize, they actually don’t have the biggest personal platforms. Alabama football stars have plenty of followers on social media, but they are beaten out by basketball players like Jahvon Quinerly and JD Davison. Montana Fouts will also benefit from this new rule if she chooses to, and plenty of Tide gymnasts have significant followings on social media.

These athletes can also reach a specific segment of Alabama fans. It would be easier to find their target market compared to Bryce Young, and they could sign with some specific brands. For example, Fouts can reach women easier with her platform as she inspires the next generation of women athletes, and Quinerly’s fans are more likely to be millennials or younger.

Some deals have already been signed, but these players will have the best opportunity to make a profit before they leave Tuscaloosa for good.