Jared Verse, Jayden Daniels, & Malaki Starks Partner with Powerade

Powerade is making its return to the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space. The brand is partnering with several top athletes this year, some of whom are rumored to be future first-round picks. 

Prospects such as FSU defensive lineman Jared Verse, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Georgia cornerback Malaki Starks, are all working with the brand this season. These are just three of the athletes who have partnered with the drink company in an NIL deal.

Aside from these players, Powerade is also working with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson and USC wide receiver Mario Williams. 

The company released an ad campaign featuring Verse, Daniels, and Starks, showcasing their strength.

The commercial includes traditions from FSU, LSU, and Georgia’s teams.

Significance of the scenes

In the commercial, fans can see Verse breaking the rock, an FSU tradition that Head Coach Mike Norvell created. After every win, the individual Norvell feels most deserves it, gets to smash the rock while surrounded by teammates. 

“Breaking the rock might be the easiest part of the journey,” Verse says in an X post.

Starks is seen by the famous Sanford Stadium Hedges. The shrubbery was planted just hours before the first game played on the field. They have been a tradition ever since and represent the protection of the school’s “most sacred place.”

Daniels represents the LSU tradition of hitting the win bar. Before every game, players must touch the bar while leaving the locker room to enter the stadium. The superstition has been around since 1984 and is a sign of “commitment to whatever it takes for victory.”

“It’s a blessing,” Daniels told Fox News Digital over the phone. “I feel grateful to have my first national NIL deal with Powerade. Being able to do that and incorporate the Win Bar — the Win Bar means a lot to not just me, but the state of Louisiana and LSU. It just means more.”

Aside from the 30-second commercial Powerade also uploaded five 15-second spotlights on each of the players to their Youtube channel

What does ‘It Takes More’ mean?

The athletes are promoting the “It Takes More” campaign, which represents more power and effort than a rival hydration drink.

“With this first campaign for Powerade featuring college football athletes, we helped the brand promote its new formula that now comes with 50% more electrolytes than its longtime rival Gatorade. Because if you want to take part in a college game-day tradition, it takes more. More sled work, more late nights, more early mornings, and more electrolytes,” Powerade says. 

To add to their college football campaign, Powerade says they will also be teaming up with over 60 other athletes across the U.S. for additional campaign content.

“As the official hydration partner for many big-time programs, we want Powerade to be synonymous with college football – and there was no better way than to team up with several of the best athletes in the country for our newest campaign,” Body Armour’s chief marketing officer Tom Gargiulo said in a statement, according to On3. 

Powerade became a Body Armor product just a few months ago. In an effort to raise its popularity to that of Gatorade’s Coca-Cola, (its original creator) teamed Powerade with Body Armor. 

Blending with the best to represent their brand

“These top players embody who we are as a brand, putting in the work in hopes of getting to the next level,” Gargiulo adds. “Given the huge reach of college football, we’re excited to tap into that network of fans and consumers to showcase that POWERADE offers more than the competition.”

Overall, the advertisement between the players and Powerade is undoubtedly one of the most well-thought-out deals yet. The detail of the schools and their traditions in the campaign is unique, and will hopefully bring attention to both the brand and the players involved.

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.