The NFL may not have quite the shoe power as the NBA, but that doesn’t mean it’s been entirely overlooked by the industry.
Several of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft already have shoe (and apparel) deals under their belts, some which were NIL deals limited to college and others that will follow them to the pros. The three blockbuster names of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Sheduer Sanders are all locked down by a trio of the largest brands in the world, and there are also a few more partnerships from outside the athletic arena that may come as a surprise.
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Bellow, Footwear News has gathered the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects who have or have had shoe endorsement deals.
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Cam Ward: Under Armour
In his fifth and final college year, Cam Ward inked a one-season NIL deal with Adidas, which has already been the outfitter of the University of Miami since 2015. That deal won’t follow the consensus no. 1 overall draft pick to the NFL, though, as he entered into a new agreement with Under Armour just this month.
The last no. 1 overall pick to sign with Under Armour was Cam Newton, which could be a great sign of things to come for him and the Tennessee Titans.
At the same time as Ward’s deal, Under Armour also announced it has signed expected mid- to late-first-rounders Luther Burden III (wide receiver, Missouri), Nick Emmanwori (safety, South Carolina), Matthew Golden (wide receiver, Texas) and Tyler Booker, (offensive lineman, Alabama).
Travis Hunter: Adidas
The University of Colorado was already a Nike program when Deion Sanders came into town with Travis Hunter and his son Shedeur in tow. Both Sanders’ would later lock down Swoosh deals later, but Hunter instead opted to join Team Stripes late in his Heisman-winning junior season.
The partnership was announced in the week leading up to him receiving the Heisman, and in between the two dates Adidas launched a collection of apparel for the two-way sensation. Terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed, but unlike Ward, Hunter is still very much a part of Adidas promotions leading up the draft.
Shedeur Sanders: Nike
Like father, like son.
Nearly 30 years after Deion Sanders first signed with Nike and a year after he returned, Sheduer became the first college football player to get an NIL deal from the Swoosh. All signs point to that relationship following him to the NFL, though it’s far from clear exactly where he’ll be selected, as he plays a role in marketing his dad’s revived line of signature sneakers.
Mason Graham and Will Johnson: Wolverine Boots
Mason Graham and Will Johnson, both projected to go in the first half of the first round, are two of several University of Michigan football players who signed NIL deals with Rockford, Michigan-based Wolverine Boots. They joined a roster of endorsers unlike any others on this list, including professional trades people and even three high schoolers with an eye toward a future in the field.
Jalen Milroe: HeyDude
The Alabama quarterback may not be taken until the second round but has nonetheless been invited to the green room for round one. Back in 2023, he was named as one of twelve college football brand ambassadors for HeyDude along with projected mid-round quarterbacks Graham Mertz of Florida and Quinn Ewers of Texas, as well as Joe Milton, now on the Cowboys.