Grambling State has NIL deals for all of its scholarship athletes

Grambling State has name, image and likeness deals in place for all of the school's scholarship athletes, the News-Star confirmed Monday.

The agreement with Urban Edge Network and Athylt was reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel and confirmed by Grambling State athletics director Brian Howard.

Thamel reported the deal is believed to the first of its kind.

Howard didn't share additional details. Players who have committed to Grambling told the News-Star they were told not to comment about the NIL deal.

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This isn't the first historic NIL deal, as Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders became the first HBCU player to sign with Gatorade. However, Grambling's NIL deal should set up a foundation to entice players to come play for new football coach Hue Jackson and the Tigers.

NIL deals have already served as a bargaining chip for Jackson based on the players who have recently committed to the Tigers..

Jackson, a former coach of the Cleveland Browns, has been able to secure key players like UCLA transfer and three-star quarterback Kajiya Hollawayne, former Arizona and Memphis commit and three-star wide receiver Tyrese Johnson, former four-star recruit and Nebraska running back Maurice Washington, former four-star and Arkansas defensive back Devin Bush and former four-star and Nebraska and SMU defensive back Cam'ron Jones.

It's another example of the name recognition that coaches like Jackson State's Deion Sanders, Tennessee State's Eddie George and Jackson can offer to their athletes.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Grambling State has NIL deals for all of its scholarship athletes