Jaiden Fields, Dee Beckwith headline latest class of WWE Next In Line athletes

World Wrestling Entertainment just signed its latest group of heavy hitters.

WWE announced its third class of Next In Line athletes on Thursday, an impressive that class includes a collection of NCAA champions and talented players across multiple sports.

Georgia softball athlete Jaiden Fields headlines the 2023 contingent. The talented outfielder is the sister of Chicago Bears star Justin Fields. Two-time NCAA All-American wrestler Greg Kerkvliet and four-time NCAA national champion thrower Turner Washington are also among the new athletes.

WWE launched the Next In Line program in 2021. The endorsements are geared toward providing a pathway from college athletics to a potential WWE contract.

Here is what we know about WWE’s 2023 Next In Line class.

What is WWE’s Next In Line program?

WWE launched the program to expand its search for potential superstars. NIL athletes get access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. There are also resources geared toward brand building, media training and live event promotion among others. The program also focuses on recruiting athletes from diverse athletic backgrounds. Since its inception, 46 collegiate athletes have signed NIL deals.

Meet the 2023 class

WWE welcomed 15 NIL athletes in the 2023 class. The athletes represent multiple sports including wrestling, soccer, tennis, track and field and football.

Jaiden Fields is a two-year starter for the Georgia Bulldogs and started 51 games last season. She hit .331 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI in 151 at-bats.

LSU hurdler Alia Armstrong also joins Kerkvliet and Washington as NCAA champions. Armstrong ran 12.57 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles. She won an NCAA championship during the outdoor track and field season.

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The class also includes five football players. Kentucky running back Dee Beckwith, Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins, Rutgers defensive lineman Isaiah Iton and Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson and Cincinnati standout Cameron Jones form the group.

The rest of the class includes Abby Jacobs (soccer), Alexandra Jaksec (tennis), Mady Aulbach (basketball), Peyton Prussin (wrestling) and Tori Ortiz (track and field).

Notable alumni

The NIL program has featured some noteworthy athletes. Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson was a part of the 2021 class. He has since signed a WWE contract. His recent appearances included a role at WrestleMania 38 and on Monday Night Raw.

Other signees included former Northwestern athlete Joe Spivak. He performs under the stage name Tank Ledger in the company’s developmental brand NXT.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE third class of Next In Line athletes led by Jaiden Fields