Former Clemson football players Rich Davies, Kendall Alley and Kevin Gemas have launched Clemson’s first NIL collective, TigerImpact.
Former Clemson football players Rich Davies, Kendall Alley and Kevin Gemas have announced the launch of TigerImpact, Clemson's first NIL collective. There are currently 34 other universities with collectives.
— Alexis Cubit (@Alexis_Cubit) April 9, 2022
While there are many other universities with collectives, this one appears unique in at least one way:
"Rich Davies: “TigerImpact aligns perfectly with Clemson’s culture of caring.” Student-athletes will be working with charities in the Upstate."
Some of the football players that are part of this initiative are Beaux Collins, Will Shipley, Ruke Orhorhoro, Myles Murphy, and Trent Simpson.
A collective is intended to provide NIL opportunities for student-athletes at an institution. Perhaps the most well known being the University of Texas, where each offensive lineman reportedly receives $50,000.
There’s also a collective at the University of Tennessee that reportedly agreed to an $8,000,000 deal with a high school athlete.
While some collectives appear to skirt the law and many consider them a “pay for play” scheme, they’ve so far found ways around the rules that cover such entities, at least so far.
On the other hand, the initial collective at Clemson appears focus on partnering players with charities they support.
Will Shipley is working with the Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, the same charity he donated to with the sale of his "Sh1p Happens" shirts.
— Alexis Cubit (@Alexis_Cubit) April 9, 2022
"They have a very special place in my family and my heart."
Myles Murphy on his charity, George and Roszena Shaw Center: "I want to do something positive for the community that has done a lot for me." The Shaw Center provides funding for those with disabilities to make necessary modifications to their homes.
— Alexis Cubit (@Alexis_Cubit) April 9, 2022
With an advisory committee that includes Ben Boulware, Austin Bryant, Hunter Renfrow, Dexter Lawrence, Darien Rencher, James Skalski and Will Spiers among other former Clemson athletes this definitely has star power.
In this day and time when many believe college football is trending in the wrong direction, this is a refreshing story and seems to totally fit the Clemson culture.
While many other schools are using NIL to recruit players to play football, Clemson is using NIL to have football players impact the lives of others that are less fortunate and also impact the football players in ways money never could.
TigerImpact founder Rich Davies on whether the collective will approach recruits with deals:
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) April 9, 2022
"Zero chance. Sorry guys, but we don’t play that game. We’re not interested in playing that game."
Says it will only be current Clemson athletes who get NIL deals.
It’s a pet peeve of mine, so forgive me for repeating this, but this once again proves two things:
First, Clemson and Dabo are not anti-NIL, despite how many times you’ve read that.
Secondly, Clemson is doing it in the right way, not the easy way, and that should be no surprise.