A Look at Beats by Dre’s Top NIL Athletes
(Feb. 21st, 2025) - Beats by Dre has been at the forefront of athlete endorsements for years, and with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the brand has strategically partnered with some of the most prominent student-athletes across the country. From football to basketball, Beats has assembled an impressive roster of college stars, recognizing their influence both on and off the field. These athletes represent the next generation of sports and entertainment, using their platforms to shape culture and connect with fans in new and exciting ways. Let’s take a look at some of the top NIL athletes who have secured deals with Beats by Dre.
Athlete: Carson Beck
School(s): Miami/Georgia
Sport: Football
Athlete: Isaiah Collier
School(s): USC
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Athlete: Johntay Cook II
School(s): Washington/Texas
Sport: Football
Athlete: Jayden Daniels
School(s): LSU/Arizona State
Sport: Football
Athlete: Jaxson Dart
School(s): Ole Miss/USC
Sport: Football
Athlete: Gradey Dick
School(s): Kansas
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Athlete: Caleb Downs
School(s): Ohio State/Alabama
Sport: Football
Athlete: Dillon Gabriel
School(s): Oregon/Oklahoma/UCF
Sport: Football
Athlete: Bronny James
School(s): USC
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Athlete: Will Johnson
School(s): Michigan
Sport: Football
Athlete: Haley Jones
School(s): Stanford
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Athlete: Deja Kelly
School(s): Oregon/North Carolina
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Athlete: Nico Iamaleava
School(s): Tennessee
Sport: Football
Athlete: Jalen Milroe
School(s): Alabama
Sport: Football
Athlete: Kendall Milton
School(s): Georgia
Sport: Football
Athlete: Kiki Rice
School(s): UCLA
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Athlete: Bijan Robinson
School(s): Texas
Sport: Football
Athlete: Shedeur Sanders
School(s): Colorado/Jackson State
Sport: Football
Athlete: Malaki Starks
School(s): Georgia
Sport: Football
Athlete: Drew Timme
School(s): Gonzaga
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Athlete: DJ Uiagalelei
School(s): Florida State/Oregon State/Clemson
Sport: Football
Athlete: Caleb Williams
School(s): USC
Sport: Football
Athlete: Bryce Young
School(s): Alabama
Sport: Football
Additional Athletes:
Athlete: Quinn Ewers
School(s): Texas/Ohio State
Sport: Football
Athlete: Sam Hartman
School(s): Notre Dame/Wake Forest
Sport: Football
Athlete: Cade Klubnik
School(s): Clemson
Sport: Football
Athlete: J.J. McCarthy
School(s): Michigan
Sport: Football
Athlete: Kool-Aid McKinstry
School(s): Alabama
Sport: Football
Athlete: Joe Milton III
School(s): Tennessee/Michigan
Sport: Football
Athlete: Nick Singleton
School(s): Penn State
Sport: Football
Athlete: Jordan Travis
School(s): Florida State
Sport: Football
Athlete: Michael Penix Jr.
School(s): Washington
Sport: Football
As NIL continues to reshape the landscape of college sports, brands like Beats by Dre are leading the charge in aligning with top-tier student-athletes. These partnerships go beyond just sponsorships—they amplify the voices of young stars and provide them with platforms to expand their personal brands. With a roster full of current and future professional athletes, Beats’ NIL strategy is a testament to the power of branding in the modern era of college athletics. As these athletes continue to make their mark, it will be exciting to see how NIL partnerships evolve and what new opportunities arise in the ever-changing world of college sports marketing.