Beats By Dre Announces Second “Beats Elite” Class

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is an exciting concept for college athletes. Although it may seem like it’s been around for a while, it has only been just over three years since its inception.

All NIL deals have their own unique aspect. However, brand deals involving multiple individuals always catch the eyes of many people. This particular brand stays wowing fans with its approach.

Beats By Dre returns to college football

Popular headphone company Beats By Dre recently announced its second “Beats Elite” campaign. Last year, they partnered with 15 college football players to advertise their product.  

This year, they are continuing this marketing technique by signing 11 college football players for their second round of the campaign. Here are the stars that are working with the brand this year:

Carson Beck – Georgia, QB

Johntay Cook II – Texas, WR

Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss, QB

Caleb Downs – Ohio State, S

Dillon Gabriel – Oregon, QB

Nico Iamaleava – Tennessee, QB

Will Johnson – Michigan, DB

Jalen Milroe – Alabama, QB

Shedeur Sanders – Colorado, QB

Malaki Starks – Georgia, DB

DJ Uiagalelei – Florida State, QB

“We’re excited to bring back another Beats Elite class with this impressive group of athletes,” Beats CMO Chris Thorne told On3 in a statement. “College football has a special energy around it, and we look forward to being part of these young stars’ journeys this season.”

Starks and Uiagalelei are the only returning athletes to the class. The rest are new to the “Beats Elite” class.

Heartwarming surprises

The best part about Beats By Dre’s involvement in NIL is that they are known for giving out headphones not just to the athletes they partner with, but to their entire teams, as well.

Plus, each pair is customized with symbols like the school’s logo, mascot, or slogan.

Check out how some of these athletes reacted when their teammates announced they would be receiving a new pair of Beats headphones. 

Georgia athletes QB Carson Beck and defensive back Malaki Starks were the only teammates from this year’s list. The rest of the Bulldogs appeared thrilled when they learned they would be benefiting from the deal, as well.

“Oh my god, I hear excellence,” Georgia defensive lineman Warren Brinson joked as he tried on the headphones.

After Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel announced the news, Oregon defensive back Dontae Manning and wide receiver Tez Johnson wasted no time grabbing their set of headphones. They couldn’t contain their excitement as they jumped up and down and danced with their gifts.

Finally, it’s hard not to smile while watching Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart gift his teammates with headphones. 

“I want you guys to know, you’re all family to me”, he says before surprising his teammates.

You can check out videos from Uiagalelei, Milroe, Johnson, Downs, and Cook at each of these links.

Sanders and Iamaleava do not currently have videos of the exchanges on their social media.

According to On3, all of the athletes have over 4 million social media followers combined. Even though NIL is still relatively new, Beats By Dre seems to have figured out the recipe for drumming up the right publicity.

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