Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Six College Football Stars Ink NIL Deal With Celsius

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs for a first down against Texas during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Front Office Sports keeps you updated on the latest NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals shaping college sports. Here’s who is cashing in now:

  • Athletes: Donovan Edwards (Michigan), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Travis Hunter (Colorado),  Jalen Milroe (Alabama), DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State)
  • Sport: Football
  • Brand: Celsius

The deal: The energy drink brand launched a campaign with college football stars called “The Essential Six.” While the financials of the deal were not disclosed, the athletes will promote the brand on social media activation and be featured in TV commercials. 

The six stars are all in the top 100 of On3’s NIL rankings for college football—and Hunter, Milroe (above), and Gabriel in the top 10. Celsius’s previous NIL deals have also been with top football stars, notably Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 NFL draft picks Caleb Williams and Bryce Young.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NCAA golf chaampionships

NCAA Golf Hosts Ready to Bid on Championship Extension

The North Course at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad has hosted for three years.

Big Ten, SEC Schools Call for Texas Tech Boycott After Sorsby Ruling

Georgia and Nebraska have already decided to boycott Texas Tech.
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through warmups before the spring football game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Judge Grants Injunction, Brendan Sorsby Set to Be Eligible for 2026

The Texas Tech quarterback sued the NCAA after seeking treatment for gambling.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN analysts Richard Jefferson (left) and Tim Legler (center) and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

ESPN’s Tim Legler: ‘I Don’t Think About Coaching Anymore’

Legler is making his NBA Finals broadcasting debut.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

Expensive Texas Tech Roster Brings New Fans to College Softball

NIL discussion and transfer controversies are drawing attention to the Red Raiders.
June 2, 2026

Carlsbad Is Emerging as College Golf’s Signature Stage

The NCAA golf championships have reached a fever pitch.
June 3, 2026

ACC’s Brazil CFB Game Scrapped With Return to Virginia

NC State and Virginia were set to face off in Rio de Janeiro.
Sponsored

World Cup Betting Preview: Big Kickoff in USA, Canada, and Mexico

A look at the key betting storylines with BetMGM heading into the tournament, including favorites, dark horses, and top scorer odds.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) boards an elevator in the Senate subway during a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2026.
June 2, 2026

College Sports Split on Whether to Support Landmark Senate Bill

One detractor said it “would play athletes and organized labor for fools.”
Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; BYU Cougars safety Faletau Satuala (11) tackles Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (7) during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium.
May 29, 2026

Big 12 Spring Meetings: CFP Expansion and Private-Capital Deal

Most Big 12 leaders support a 24-team CFP, though execution is unclear.
May 28, 2026

Big 12 Coaches Unanimously Back 24-Team CFP Expansion

Every coach voted for a 24-team playoff on Thursday.
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A general view of the the line of scrimmaged during a game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
May 28, 2026

At SEC Spring Meetings, a Consensus on Problems, but Not Solutions

Georgia discussed a “breakaway,” where the SEC would set or enforce its own rules.