WWE announced their first “Next In Line” class back in December. Along with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, WWE chose 15 college athletes from four sports and signed them to NIL deals. These athletes got to learn the ropes (no pun intended) through WWE’s developmental system with the hope of becoming a WWE superstar after college.
WWE announced their second class on Monday and they have expanded their reach within college sports. A total of 15 college athletes from 14 schools are taking part, including their first athletes from cheer and dance, gymnastics, volleyball, and men’s basketball. In addition, Keshaun Moore from Hampton University is WWE’s first NIL athlete from a historically Black college or university.
These are the 15 people taking part in WWE’s second NIL class:
-Ali Mattox, Ole Miss, Cheer and Dance
-Case Hatch, Arizona State, Football
-Chandler Hayden, Tennessee, Track and Field
-Cohlton Schultz, Arizona State, Wrestling
-Derrian Gobourne, Auburn, Gymnastics
-Ericka Link, Elon, Volleyball
-Keshaun Moore, Hampton, Football
-Luke Ford, Illinois, Football
-Maliq Carr, Michigan State, Football/Basketball
-Mikala Hall, Central Michigan, Basketball
-Rachel Glenn, South Carolina, Track and Field
-Ruben Banks, Arkansas, Track and Field
-Thunder Keck, Stanford, Football
-Tyanna Omazic, Miami, Volleyball
-Zachary Knighton-Ward, Hofstra, Wrestling
In total, WWE has 31 college athletes in their NIL program, with five people from the inaugural class already graduated. Those five are in discussion with WWE to join the company on a full-time basis to further their development.
[Photo: WWE]
