We predicted many moons ago that former LSU running back Leonard Fournette would go third overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. We still stand by our prediction and we now look ahead to what products and when this guy will first pop up on your tv screen endorsing. The prolific record setting back is guaranteed to sign on with some snack, shoe or insurance company. Before we take a look at that though, let’s first look back and get a good idea of how for whom companies are just throwing money at.
Leonard Fournette & Biggest NFL Rookie Endorsement Deals Ever
2016 – Year of the Swoosh
Nike, the high profile shoe company out of Beaverton, Oregon, instantly latched on to 15 players coming out of the 2016 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Under Armour just grabbed one but it was a pretty solid pickup – Carson Wentz. The North Dakota State stud put up some decent numbers and certainly won over the fans in his debut season even though the team missed the playoffs. Nike, however, came out firing. They made sure to grab Jared Goff, which may pan out one day but it definitely didn’t this year. Odds on Rookie of the Year Ezekiel Elliot and big backup back Derrick Henry in Tennessee though were superb additions and will do well sporting the swoosh for many years to come.
2014 – The Year of Oops
Prior to the NFL Draft, Nike decided that it was a wise investment to sign Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel to a multi-year deal. He was then taken 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns. Nike didn’t see that one coming. However, they stayed with troubled quarterback through thick and thin with Cleveland for a little while. After constant team fines and suspensions though, the brand finally dropped Manziel right around the time the team cut ties with him as well. The summer of 2016 was a rough one for Johnny.
Also, there’s no need to talk about Johnny’s brief stint with Snickers…
2017 – The Year of the UA
We know Leonard Fournette will go in the top ten, so it’s extremely likely that the back will sign on with a shoe brand. However, as mentioned, Under Armour has a young quarterback in their ranks. In fact, they’ve got a few big names quarterbacks on their roster after picking up the legendary Tom Brady as well.
A big name-rookie running back was always in their crosshairs and this coming offseason there’ll be no bigger name than Leonard Fournette. So even though it was just originally reported, it was always a no brainer that Leonard would sport the UA next season. Without releasing terms, he is said to perhaps have signed one of the largest rookie endorsement deals in league history.
