Rome Odunze & Michael Penix Jr. – Newest Sharpie Rookies

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals continue to bleed into new areas of business. However, a certain new deal shouldn’t include any bleeding. 

Recently, Sharpie introduced a new annual program highlighting college football players. They have named Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. their first Rookies of the Year. 

Just like Odunze and Penix Jr., Sharpie prides itself on precision and performance. That is why the company is making sure both athletes are ready for their new endeavors as 2024 NFL Draft prospects.

“Michael and Rome are about to have new, blank canvases at their fingertips, and we are excited to be part of their journey into the professional ranks,” said Gina Lazaro, Vice President of Brand Management for Sharpie’s manufacturing company, Writing at Newell Brands.

“Sharpie encourages everyone to make the world their canvas, and as highly touted draftees, we will equip them with the highest quality writing instruments they can consistently rely on, whether it’s signing their first contract or an autograph for a fan,” said Larazo.

Sharpie is providing the Huskies with Sharpie S-Gel pens, which are perfect for the activities Larazo stated due to their “no smear, no bleed technology.”

The perfect pen for everyone

Penix Jr. shared how the writing implements will benefit him, personally. 

“Being a left-handed quarterback also means I’m a left-handed writer. And just like my fellow lefty writers out there, I am no stranger to the woes of smearing ink and smudge marks on everything I write or sign,” said Penix. “The Sharpie S-Gel pen has changed all that. When I’m signing my name with a S-Gel, I know I can rely on a smear-free signature.”

Odunze noted his excitement to utilize the pens in all aspects of his life, not just as a football player.

“Sharpie is synonymous with autographs and signatures, and it is my go-to brand since it offers something for writing on any surface,” Odunze said. “I look forward to making bold statements through my professional career on-and-off the field, and having [a] Sharpie in my pockets is essential to make that a reality,” Business of College Sports (BCS) writes.

Sharpie’s Rookie of the Year program is just one part of the company’s World Is Your Canvas campaign. The campaign is highlighting three different Sharpie products while displaying how individuals of all kinds can utilize them to make their mark on the world.

Keeping up with Odunze and Penix

The marker brand will even be following up with the athletes after they sign their contracts. BCS says Sharpie will feature both athletes on their social media platforms sharing highlights of the Huskies’ rookie seasons.

Both athletes have had exceptional college careers. Odunze is predicted to be a first-round pick while many believe Penix will be taken in the second-round. Whenever they are chosen, though, Sharpie is giving fans an inside look at some of the best players in college football as they take the next step to the pros.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by 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.