Ahead of NFL draft, first-round prospect Rashan Gary starts own sports agency
Rashan Gary is putting his NFL career in his own hands.
After the conclusion of Michigan’s regular season, the junior defensive lineman quickly turned his focus toward preparing for the NFL draft. For most prospects, one of the first priorities is aligning with an agency. Gary took a different approach.
Months away from the draft, Gary has started his own agency. It’s called Rashan Gary Sports. He is the CEO of the five-person organization, which also includes Gary’s mother and Ian Clarke, a certified agent. Gary told The Associated Press that Clarke will be the one who negotiates Gary’s contract once he is drafted, but the vision for the agency is Gary’s.
“I always had a dream of playing in the NFL and leaving a legacy,” Gary said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The older I got, I understood that football is not forever. This is a step to take care of my family in the long run. Starting this agency is a way I can definitely do that in my years on the football field and the years when I’m not on the football field.”
Montre Gregory, a defensive back out of Bowling Green, became the first prospect to sign with Rashan Gary Sports aside from Gary himself. Gary hopes to get involved with athletes from all sports, he said.
“It’s going to change the game,” Gary told the AP. “Now, players know the power they have.”
Gary, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, was progressing toward a degree in general studies while also pursuing a marketing and sales track certificate from Michigan’s business school.
Rashan Gary is expected to be a first-round pick
Gary was the No. 1 recruit in the country when he signed with Michigan out of Paramus Catholic in Paramus, New Jersey, in the class of 2016. He quickly made his presence known along the Wolverines’ defensive line.
Gary had 27 tackles and five tackles for loss as a true freshman before emerging as a first-team all-Big Ten selection as a sophomore. That season, Gary totaled 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks. Gary missed time with a shoulder injury in 2018, but still compiled 38 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in nine games.
After his three-game absence, Gary returned for the team’s final four regular season games. After the loss to Ohio State that kept UM out of the Big Ten title game, however, Gary decided to forgo his senior season and sit out the Peach Bowl against Florida in order to begin preparing for the NFL.
The 2019 draft is rich with defensive line prospects, and Gary is among the best. The 6-foot-5, 283-pounder is expected to be a first-round pick by most draft prognosticators.
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