Former University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cashed in big before even setting foot in the NFL. The college standout inked multiple endorsement deals recently as brands look to capitalize on his star power in the lead up to his selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Tagovailoa announced on Monday that he had signed an endorsement deal with athletic powerhouse Adidas. The financial terms of the deal we’re not disclosed, but he joins a stacked roster that includes Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster and his former teammate Henry Ruggs III, who announced his partnership with the brand in early March.
In a statement, Tagovailoa said: “Since early in my career, one thing that stood out to me about Adidas is that they always treated me like family. I’m excited to know that I’ll have family by my side through this new phase of my career.”
In addition to Adidas, the 2017 National Championship MVP previously announced partnerships with Bose, Wingstop and Muscle Milk.
Tua has had an exceptional collegiate career. Two-time CFP National Champion, 2017 CFP National Championship Offensive MVP, Maxwell Award winner, Walter Camp Award winner. These accomplishments speak volumes of Tua’s on-field performance, but what brands are after is his narrative. By rejecting the naysayers at every step of the way, Tua overcame what was supposed to be a career ending hip injury to become a top prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. The relentless work ethic and grit he now embodies as an underdog is a narrative that resonates with consumers and brands want to align with. His ‘never quit’ persona has paid off in endorsement deals so far and will continue to do so come Draft day, and with future partnerships down the line.