Five College Athletes Dominating the Field and Social Media

1. Travis Hunter

As the recent No.1 overall recruit, Hunter is one of the top overall players entering the 2024 season. He is a game-changing cornerback and wide receiver for the Colorado Buffaloes. He has a total following of 2.3 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and X. Hunter has partnerships with Celcius, KFC and 7Eleven that he consistently promotes. Hunter’s social media highlights his involvement with the community. He has given away customized cleats to kids and helped donate over $10,000 to Children’s Hospital Colorado in collaboration with 7Eleven. Hunters’ social media represents his character, dedication and personality that draws fans’ attention.

2. Jalen Milroe

Milroe began playing as quarterback for Alabama in 2022. He started as a backup to Bryce Young, then took over in 2023 as the starter. He placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy race. As he grew as a player, his following began to grow too. According to On3, he “is one of just 19 players in college football with a seven-figure valuation.” His Instagram contains only 24 posts, and he has 205,000 followers. The content represents his athletic, professional, and philanthropic self. Milroe chose to stay at Alabama for his senior year, where I’m sure he will continue to grow. 

3. Quinshon Judkins

Former Ole Miss running back, now at Ohio State University, Judkins is a force to be reckoned with on the field. With all the football photos and highlight reels, his social media also captures his contributions off the field. His NIL continues rising, as he recently donated $10,000 to his former high school. In the 2024 season, he will donate $1,000 to the Alabama Kidney Foundation every time he scores a touchdown. Judkins is using his NIL for a better cause. And is following is growing because of it. 

a link to watch the video: https://twitter.com/Jerryhump3/status/1787981396687888859/video/1

4. Malaki Starks

Junior Malaki Starks, a defensive back for Georgia, has been dominant as a young player, and he is moving up in the NIL world. His social media is well-rounded with football content and highlights as well as paid promotions. He is a part of deals with Team Dunkin, The Players’ Lounge, Beats by Dre, T-Mobile and Powerade. His success on the field has provided him with the opportunities to succeed off the field. Starks is expected to be taken early in the 2025 NFL draft where his name will become even bigger. 

5. Zachariah Branch

Sophomore Zachariah Branch, a wide receiver and kick returner for USC is another excellent talent on the field and is finding his involvement outside of football. Named an All-American on six different sports platforms, this guy has a huge future ahead of him. His NIL is taking off, as he works with Panini America, Perfect Hydration, CVS Pharmacy and C4Energy. Branch is a young player with what seems to be a promising bright future. His nearly 170,000 followers on social platforms only can increase. He is one of the fastest wide receivers in the nation, and he is building up his media attention.