Springfield (Tenn.) star Jermaine Cobbins makes history with Nike NIL deal

One of the top prospects in the nation, Springfield (Tenn.) four-star Jermaine Cobbins made history after inking an NIL deal with Nike, becoming the youngest ever athlete to ink a Name, Image and Likeness deal with Nike, as one of eleven high school football players to sign with the global sportswear brand. According to the Rivals Industry Rankings, Cobbins is the No. 4 cornerback, No. 28 overall prospect in the 2028 class, and No. 1-ranked player in Tennessee. Early into his recruitment, the Springfield star is being heavily targeted by the Ohio State Buckeyes, with offers from the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and others. [ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ] “Interesting bit of news: 16-year-old CB Jermaine Cobbins, ESPN’s No. 28 recruit in the 2028 class, has become the youngest football player ever to sign with Nike, sources tell ESPN. Cobbins, out of Springfield, Tenn., is repped by Tzvi Grossman of Royalty Management Group.” ESPN’s Eli Lederman reported. The class of 2028 cornerback signs this historic NIL deal in the midst of a heavy recruitment wave from the Buckeyes. According to the Rivals Prediction Model, Cobbins is projected to land with Ohio State with a 28% chance, having recently attended a one-day recruiting camp in June with the Buckeyes. After penning this historic deal, Simmons was not the only top recruit to sign with Nike yesterday. With eleven players being named, including four-star wide receiver Maddoxx Davis from Cartersville (Ga.), as well as four-star class of 2028 receiver Quentin Hale out of Corona Centennial (Calif.). After both receivers signed their historic NIL deals, they have also been named in Rivals Andy Villamarzo’s 25 high school football wide receivers that will make the most impact in 2026 list. The full list of high school stars who penned these historic first-ever Nike high school football NIL deals is as follows: Jermaine Cobbins, Maddoxx Davis, Jaxon Dollar, Quentin Hale, Elijah Haven, Peyton Houston, Myson-Johnson Cook, Juju Johnson, Neimann Lawerence, Gabriel Osborne Jr., and Jamarin Simmons.