Kentucky has one of the best offensive lines in the SEC but was not one of the 11 teams that had offensive linemen sign NIL deals with Hooters. (Vicky Graff Photo)
When I heard that restaurant chain Hooters had signed 51 college football offensive
Restaurant chain Hooters announced on Monday that it has signed 51 college football offensive linemen to name, image and likeness deals from teams across the country.
The chain said it wanted to sign offensive line groups, rather than individual athletes, and is now working with players from
When I heard that restaurant chain Hooters had signed 51 college football offensive linemen to name, image and likeness deals I thought there had to be a great chance Kentucky might have a lineman or two in that group.
Wrong. Instead, players from Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Miami, Georgia Tech, Florida Atlantic and South Florida got the deals.
So that is six Southeastern Conference schools with offensive linemen getting a national NIL deal and Kentucky does not have a single player off the Big Blue Wall on the NIL deal list.
I was even more perplexed after I read a statement by Hooters chief marketing officer Bruce Skala.
“For decades, the physical play, blue-collar mentality and on-field leadership of the offensive lineman has shined, but national praise and attention for these crucial players has all-too-often been sidelined,” Skala said in a press release. “We want to change the narrative and celebrate these elite student-athletes who play a pivotal role in making college football so thrilling and give them their fair share of the spotlight.”
Part of the NIL partnership will have players visiting Hooters locations, starring in social media campaigns for Hooters and encouraging fans to use the restaurant for tailgate and viewing parties during the season.
Kentucky is known for its Big Blue Wall. The offensive line has become perhaps the most popular unit on the team the last five years and is producing NFL draft picks annually. I wonder if UK was not interested or Hooters was not interested in UK.
It just seems strange that any NIL deal aimed at offensive linemen includes six other SEC teams but not Kentucky.
