Jalon Daniels is Proving ‘Impossible is Nothing’

Kansas quarterback (QB) Jalon Daniels has added yet another Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal to his list of collaborations.

It is no surprise the Jayhawks’ signal-caller is being offered opportunities off the field. In their Liberty Bowl game against Arkansas, Daniels contributed 544 yards passing and a total of six touchdowns. This was Kansas’ first bowl appearance since the 2008 Orange Bowl.

He also helped lead the team to a 5-0 start at the start of the season before he was injured for several games.

Now, the 20-year-old is showing off his abilities as an influencer. He is using his marketability to serve as a brand ambassador for Adidas.

Daniels shared the news through Instagram on December 31 of last year. 

“You Only Get This Type of Reach When You Overextend,” the Kansas QB captioned the post while being seen from head to toe wearing the brand’s apparel. This includes what appears to be a customized pair of shoes with graffiti art printed all over the footwear.

The deal was formed with the help of the Kansas-based NIL group, Mass Strategies.

But how is this collective different from any of the other hundreds popping up around the country?

“Kansas is an Adidas school,” On3 writes. This means that while other universities are limited to representing apparel brands off of the field, Daniels can sport the Adidas logo on the field as well.

Fans can also purchase jerseys with the Adidas logo present. This is good advertising for Adidas, while also directing positive attention to the Jayhawks.  

“All athletes at Division I schools with Adidas partners are eligible. More than 50,000 athletes at 109 schools across 23 sports qualified for this,” On3 stated.

“With the transfer rules where they are now, NIL has never been more important in retaining and attracting talent. It’s part of the game now. And Daniels’ Adidas deal shows they can offer those enticing opportunities to get players to stay.”

More than just a pretty face

It has been a significant year for Daniels. Although he has performed well on the field, he has also been awarded for his work off the field.

Just one week ago, he received the 2023 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year honor at the Inaugural NIL Summit at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards recognize exceptional work from players, organizations, and businesses during their first year as a part of NIL.

Daniels’ current NIL valuation can be seen here. This number is partly due to his work with Adidas. He has other Name, Image, and Likeness deals as well. The QB also has partnerships with Mercury’s RockChalk.io, Applebee’s, Pepsi, and Legacy Restaurant Group.

It is often that Big 10 schools are the leaders in NIL deals and funding. Of course, this is not always the case. However, it is refreshing to see different athletes getting in on deals and making names for themselves through entrepreneurship, rather than athletics.

It would seem that at only 20 years old, Jalon Daniels is living proof of the popular Adidas slogan, Impossible is Nothing. 

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated in what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.