Former Alabama QB Bryce Young signs endorsement deal with Jordan Brand

Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is signing an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, the Nike company announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Young is the projected No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.
• The former Crimson Tide quarterback won the 2021 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,872 yards with 47 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Alabama went 13-2 that season before falling in the national title game to Georgia.
• The Carolina Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears for the Nos. 9 and 61 picks in 2023, a first-rounder in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and wide receiver DJ Moore.
• Davante Adams, Dak Prescott, Cam Jordan, Devin White, Jarvis Landry, Tyrann Mathieu and Deebo Samuel are other Jordan athletes.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Young could become the face of Jordan Brand in football

Jordan Brand has purposefully maintained a small roster of NFL players ever since Randy Moss became their first signee in 1999 as part of an effort to maintain a sense of exclusivity about the group. With that being said, they’ve recently expanded their presence in the NFL in response to swelling interest from players.

Jordan Retro cleats have become increasingly popular and, as more notable NFL players such as Davante Adams, Dak Prescott and Cam Jordan, among others, have signed with Jordan Brand, their overall footprint in the sport ranging from youth football to high school football to college football has made significant growth.

That’s reflected in Jordan Brand bringing Young on board. Young assuredly had no shortage of options to choose from for a shoe endorsement deal and ultimately chose to roll with a company known for basketball.

Young, who’ll only be 22 this season, is one of just two quarterbacks signed to Jordan Brand alongside Prescott, who’ll turn 30 in July. It’s not guaranteed, obviously, but Young has a shot to become the face of Jordan Brand’s football division moving forward if he lives up to the hype. — Reed

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(Photo courtesy of Jordan Brand)