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Athletes First Signs USC’s Marqise Lee, Xavier Grimble And Dion Bailey

USATSI_7628926_155451184_lowresAthletes First is arguably the early leader in the clubhouse during the player-agent signing phase, having signed a number of former student-athletes, including a recent trio of players from the University of Southern California.  NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor, Andrew Kessler, will represent wide receiver Marqise Lee (pictured above), tight end Xavier Grimble and defensive back Dion Bailey.

“I am extremely excited to work with and represent a group of great USC players in Marqise, Dion, and Xavier, and all the other talented Athletes First clients in the upcoming draft,” Kessler said.  “These guys are truly unique talents who I think will be a success in the NFL.  Athletes First will once again be representing a great group of rookies and we will do all we can to help them in their transition from college to the NFL and throughout their entire careers.”

Lee — one of the top-rated wide receivers in this year’s Draft behind Clemson’s Sammy Watkins and Texas A&M’s Mike Evans — is a projected first round selection.  His breakout season came in 2012 where he grabbed 118 receptions for 1,700-plus yards and 14 touchdowns, earning himself Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors along with the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annual to the nation’s outstanding college football receiver.

NFLDraftScout.com lists Xavier Grimble as the No. 13 best tight end available in May’s Draft while FanSpeak.com ranks the Las Vegas, Nevada native as the No. 4 top tight end.  He finished his career at USC with 69 receptions for 731 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Dion Bailey finished his junior season with 61 tackles and five interceptions before declaring for the 2014 Draft.  He was named to the Second Team All-Pac 12 in 2013.  As a freshman in 2011, the Lakewood, California native recorded 81 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions in addition to Pac 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.  NFLDraftScout.com ranks Bailey as the No. 3 safety in the 2014 Draft and is a projected third round selection.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.