Five-star Duncanville product, future Alabama QB signs NIL deal with trading card company
Five-star quarterback Keelon Russell ended his Texas high school football career in mid-December and has already capitalized on a newfound ability to sign NIL deals.
Recently, he enrolled with Alabama, starting his college football career. On Wednesday, he announced that he signed an exclusive, multi-year deal with Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company.
Russell passed for over 4,100 yards and had 55 touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a stellar senior campaign that earned him Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. He led Duncanville to the state semifinal, losing to eventual Class 6A Division I state champion North Crowley.
“With Keelon being from right here in the Dallas area, we’ve had the opportunity to follow his high school career closely. Keelon is a dynamic player on-the-field and off-the-field,” said Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations at Panini America. “We look forward to supporting Keelon as he moves on to Alabama and bringing Keelon’s trading cards to his fans through our products.”
Alabama QB and NFL Draft prospect, Jalen Milroe, Texas QB and Southlake Carroll product Quinn Ewers, Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola, Texas QB Arch Manning, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin also have partnerships with Panini.
“Being able to partner with a leader in the sports collectibles space like Panini is exciting. Seeing the quality of the products that Panini produces and all the things they have done for other NIL athletes – I knew they were the right fit for me,” said Russell. “I can’t wait to start working with them and seeing my first trading cards.”
Panini America started a Panini College, a dedicated NIL platform; it allows all athletes at partner universities to have their own Panini trading card under the Panini NIL brand. They are currently looking to expand.
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