Jordan Travis and Trey Benson – Athletes or Actors?

The world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is expanding in its number of deals throughout college athletics.

As of March, it was reported that Florida State quarterback (QB) Jordan Travis and running back (RB) Trey Benson teamed up with a local car dealership. Tallahassee Ford chose these two stars to represent the dealership, no doubt due to their outstanding performances on the field this past season.

FSU athletes go from the field to the big screen

Travis and Benson worked with the dealership to create an amusing commercial. According to Sports Illustrated, the duo is scheduled to have other commercials that will air throughout the 2023 football season.

The two athletes can be seen playing themselves in the advertisement. One Tallahassee Ford employee brags about his latest recruit, Jonathan Vickers, who plays the Top Sales Producer at the dealership. Vickers played for the Seminoles from 2014-2018 as a running back. Before he can even finish his boasting, another employee shares that the rest of her team is here. Pulling up to the dealership in a Ford F-150, the duo can be seen quickly tossing a football and coming in to save their team from the gloating.

Travis and Benson are both represented by Just Win Management who helped organize the deal with Ford Tallahassee.

“Both Jordan and Trey are great guys first and foremost who are highly marketable,” Joe Hernandez of Just Win Management said in a statement to The NIL Deal. “This deal is a win-win as it provides the opportunity to engage with the Tallahassee community and work with one of the most highly respected brands in the world.

Stars on and off the field

In the last year, Travis contributed 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The 23-year-old transferred from Louisville to Florida State after his freshman year. He is also a Heisman Trophy candidate this coming season.

Benson, only 20 and originally from Oregon, also transferred to FSU just last year. In that time, he has added 990 yards and nine touchdowns. Fans are expecting big things from both athletes next season. 

Vehicle endorsements are becoming the most popular form of NIL deals

They aren’t the only players to take part in vehicle endorsement deals, though. Teammate edge rusher Jared Verse teamed up with Kraft Nissan this past November.

Plus, first and second picks in last year’s draft, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud also had deals with vehicle dealerships. Young with BMW and Stroud with Bentley.

Clearly, vehicle endorsement deals are the newest and most popular way to use a player’s Name, Image, and Likeness. It’s safe to say the athletes also are enjoying brand-new vehicles to ride around in. Even if this is only for a limited amount of time.

Plus, scoring a duo like Travis and Benson is a great form of marketing. Viewers enjoy seeing a familiar face trying out the world of acting. When there is a pair of their favorite athletes, though, engagement levels definitely increase.

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.