The University of Alabama announced that seven of its football standouts have signed onto Nike’s name, image and likeness program, marking a fresh wave of endorsement deals for the program.
A Strategic Move for Nike and the Program
The newcomers to the roster include EJ Crowell, Cederian Morgan, Keelon Russell, Dijon Lee Jr., Yhonzae Pierre, Zabien Brown and Ryan Coleman‑Williams. Each brings a distinct skill set that coaches expect to leverage as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
With this addition, Alabama climbs to second place in the nation for the number of its athletes on Nike’s college NIL list, trailing only Louisiana State University.
Anticipating a 2026 Impact
The coaching staff has voiced confidence that the newly signed players will feature prominently when the season opens on September 5 against East Carolina, a game that will set the tone for the year.
Nike’s expanding presence underscores the growing commercial landscape of college athletics, where personal brand deals are becoming as pivotal as on‑field performance.