quinn-ewers.jpg
Elite 11/247 Sports

Blue-chip Ohio State quarterback recruit Quinn Ewers has struck an autograph deal with GT Sports Marketing to a name, image and likeness rights deal, which ESPN reports will pay Ewers $1.4 million over three years, the potential length of Ewers' collegiate career. The agreement is believed to be the biggest single NIL deal since those rights were allowed to college athletes on July 1.

What's particularly notable about this NIL deal is that it features a player who has yet to take a single snap in college. However, Ewers' unique profile makes him an intriguing target for agencies looking to buy low.

Action Network's Darren Rovell first reported the basics of Ewers' deal.

Ewers is the No. 1 overall player in the 247Sports Composite Class of 2021 rankings, and he's just the sixth prospect to earn a perfect 247Sports Composite rating since 2000. The only other quarterback to earn a perfect rating is Texas quarterback Vince Young, considered by many to be one of the greatest college football players ever. 

The former Southlake Carroll (Texas) quarterback made headlines after opting out of his senior year of high school and reclassifying to enroll at Ohio State a year early. He pointed to potential NIL opportunities as a critical reason why he left the high school ranks early. Texas high school football does not allow NIL money. 

Ewers arrived at Ohio State at the beginning of August. Because of the short turnaround and a minor injury, he did not seriously compete for the starting quarterback job, which redshirt freshman C.J. Stroud won. 

However, GTSM's gamble on a lucrative multi-year deal brings the agency in at the ground floor of Ewers' career. Whenever Ewers wins a starting quarterback job in college football -- whether this year or later -- his autograph rights will be highly valuable. Due to NCAA rules, Ewers is required to play through at least 2023 at the collegiate level before entering the NFL Draft.