Former co-starter alongside Joey Gatewood signs unique NIL deal

[AuburnLegacy_1]

I share this link because it's brilliant marketing among a university, its advertisers, and athletes.

Boise State tight end Riley Cooper who shared quarterback responsibilities with Joey Gatewood during their time at Bantam Trail HS signed a NIL deal that allows Smith to wear his team gear on Boise State's blue turf in a television commercial due to a partnership between the school and its preexisting sponsors. These "co-branding" relationships benefit the school, advertisers, and athletes.

The Boise State administration really had a unique vision for navigating NIL hurdles. I have not seen this from UCF yet, but hope to soon, as these opportunities help promote all parties.

Boise State senior tight end Riley Smith lands unique NIL deal

Last week, Boise State senior tight end Riley Smith was at the core of one of the most unique name, image and likeness experiences we have witnessed so far.

www.ktvb.com

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Gatewood wasn’t even the best QB on his high school team and Gus wanted him? That’s weird.

 

[AuburnLegacy_1]

Gatewood wasn’t even the best QB on his high school team and Gus wanted him? That’s weird.

Gatewood was an elite athlete who could have been an NFL tight end in Gus's opinion, but he was convinced he was a quarterback.

Malik Willis was an elite athlete, who could have been an NFL receiver in Gus's opinion, but he was convinced he was a quarterback.

Both believed in themselves. One was prophetic; the other a fool. But it does not mean Gus's opinion of either was wrong.

I have always maintained, and still do, that if Gus had convinced Malik to play receiver and Gatewood tight end on Gus's 2019 team, Auburn would have played for the national championship with Bo Nix as a true freshman quarterback.

Instead, Auburn lost at No. 1 LSU 23-20 and to No. 4 Georgia 21-14. I have to think Gatewood and Willis could accounted for 14 points between those two contests.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Gatewood was an elite athlete who could have been an NFL tight end in Gus's opinion, but he was convinced he was a quarterback.

Malik Willis was an elite athlete, who could have been an NFL receiver in Gus's opinion, but he was convinced he was a quarterback.

Both believed in themselves. One was prophetic; the other a fool. But it does not mean Gus's opinion of either was wrong.

I have always maintained, and still do, that if Gus had convinced Malik to play receiver and Gatewood tight end on Gus's 2019 team, Auburn would have played for the national championship with Bo Nix as a true freshman quarterback.

Instead, Auburn lost at No. 1 LSU 23-20 and to No. 4 Georgia 21-14. I have to think Gatewood and Willis could accounted for 14 points between those two contests.

I don’t see either of them beating out guys that played those positions on many good teams. I don’t even know if Gatewood will play a lot as an upperclassman now that he’s switched positions. We’ll see.

 

[Gwoz]

Hard to convince someone to move away from their dream, and expect them to put the same passion and effort. Particularly if someone dreams of being a starting QB.

Malik Willis is now projected to be a 1st round pick as a QB.

Blake Bortles was also told he should be a TE. You get once chance at this, I bet in the end Gatewood and others that bet on themselves are still happier trying to achieve their dream then switching to something they would have to be convinced to be happy with.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Hard to convince someone to move away from their dream, and expect them to put the same passion and effort. Particularly if someone dreams of being a starting QB.

Malik Willis is now projected to be a 1st round pick as a QB.

Blake Bortles was also told he should be a TE. You get once chance at this, I bet in the end Gatewood and others that bet on themselves are still happier trying to achieve their dream then switching to something they would have to be convinced to be happy with.

I’m not blaming kid. But as a coach you don’t give a scholarship to a kid who you don’t think has ability to be a QB , and just hope they prove you wrong. GOL always wanted Bortles as a QB. That’s GOLs best move ever.

 

[80'sKnight]

BYU's NIL is also interesting, a rich supporter has 'bought' all the walk-ons for BYU, in other words, every player is on scholarship whether from the school or from the rich dude. Other school supporters are creating associations etc. to buy their key players. Here' hoping we're doing something or we'll be left behind-- get a diamond in the rough, develop him, then he leaves for NIL at some SEC school or whatever. Think there's probably some who just don't understand the pull of news reports like X team is paying all defensive linemen multiple thousand$$$$. Remember what it was like as a college student, add into that the poverty/lower middle class etc that many come from, add the giant ego a player must have to succeed, and you'll see the giant pull. "I'll finally get what I think I'm worth." Before NIL we already saw the pull of sitting on the bench for 2-3 years at Alabama as opposed to 4 years staring at some G5. Now add $$$.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

BYU's NIL is also interesting, a rich supporter has 'bought' all the walk-ons for BYU, in other words, every player is on scholarship whether from the school or from the rich dude. Other school supporters are creating associations etc. to buy their key players. Here' hoping we're doing something or we'll be left behind-- get a diamond in the rough, develop him, then he leaves for NIL at some SEC school or whatever. Think there's probably some who just don't understand the pull of news reports like X team is paying all defensive linemen multiple thousand$$$$. Remember what it was like as a college student, add into that the poverty/lower middle class etc that many come from, add the giant ego a player must have to succeed, and you'll see the giant pull. "I'll finally get what I think I'm worth." Before NIL we already saw the pull of sitting on the bench for 2-3 years at Alabama as opposed to 4 years staring at some G5. Now add $$$.

I think BYU has to do that kind of thing. If I was a recruit I wouldn’t go to BYU unless that was my only option. I couldn’t live the BYU Code of Conduct for 4 years.

 

[U C to the F]

I think BYU has to do that kind of thing. If I was a recruit I wouldn’t go to BYU unless that was my only option. I couldn’t live the BYU Code of Conduct for 4 years.

I went to Park City UT this past spring break and flew right over BYU on the decent to Salt Lake City’s airport. What a VAST spread out city, where Provo is like a Sanford to Orlando. The mountains surrounding the background, I could see the allure. But I also get the inner city FL kid going to Utah vibe, probably not that appealing to everyone of them but to some? Either way, BYU does have some things that are appealing to people, I could see some kids digging it for a new vibe or life experience.

PS, I doubt most students actually live the “code of conduct” or get caught for that matter. A football player can just transfer easy peasy now so who no big deal either way.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

I went to Park City UT this past spring break and flew right over BYU on the decent to Salt Lake City’s airport. What a VAST spread out city, where Provo is like a Sanford to Orlando. The mountains surrounding the background, I could see the allure. But I also get the inner city FL kid going to Utah vibe, probably not that appealing to everyone of them but to some? Either way, BYU does have some things that are appealing to people, I could see some kids digging it for a new vibe or life experience.

PS, I doubt most students actually live the “code of conduct” or get caught for that matter. A football player can just transfer easy peasy now so who no big deal either way.

I’m pretty sure 90% of the students follow the rules as that many grow up LDS. To them it’s sinning against God. Not just some rules by a college. Quite a few get expelled. I wouldn’t go there thinking you can do what you want and just transfer out. That would be a waste of time.