By Hampton University
Hampton University senior linebacker KeShaun Moore (Suffolk, VA) was announced as 1 of 15 collegiate athletes to be signed to the WWE’s NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) program – “Next In Line™.
Today the WWE unveiled 15 college athletes who will join the company’s NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) program – “Next In Line™” – that provides a clear pathway from collegiate athletics to WWE.
“WWE is a nationally renowned brand, and this opportunity can lead to other opportunities that support my future dreams of gaining exposure for the NFL and pursuing my goals for life after collegiate athletics,” said Moore.
The second “Next In Line” class includes athletes from 14 universities, seven NCAA conferences, and seven sports, including the program’s first athletes from cheer & dance, gymnastics, volleyball, men’s basketball, and representation from an HBCU program.
“These are the opportunities that elevate our student-athletes experiences, education, network, and net worth,” said football head coach Robert Prunty. “Keshaun is an extraordinary young man on and off the field. I’m excited for him because he is continuously leading by example and raising the standards of excellence for Hampton football. He is the only HBCU student-athlete in this program, which speaks volumes about the doors he has opened for himself and wants to open for others to excel around him.”
Moore has evolved on and off the field since transferring to Hampton University; he graduated this May with a B.A in Liberal Studies. He has been named to Dean’s List and Honors Society.
The Linebacker earned Big South All-Conference honors for the 2021 season and looks forward to continuing to be a catalyst for the Pirates defensive unit as Hampton enters the CAA.
The WWE’s NIL opportunity aligns with Moore’s current goals to add a Business Marketing degree to his list of accomplishments. The Suffolk, VA native sees this as an opportunity to merge his love for sports with his career aspirations while still getting to play the game he loves.
The following 15 athletes will be unveiled later this evening at the inaugural NIL Summit at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta:
· Ali Mattox of Ole Miss, a 5-foot-7 cheer & dance athlete from Little Rock, Ark.
· Case Hatch os Arizona State, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound football player from Gilbert, Ariz.
· Chandler Hayden of Tennessee, a 5-foot-11 track & field athlete from Pittsfield, Ill.
· Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Parker, Colo.
· Derrian Gobourne of Auburn, a 5-foot-4 gymnast from Sarasota, Fla.
· Ericka Link of Elon, a 5-foot-6 volleyball player from Hedgesville, W.Va.
· Keshaun Moore of Hampton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound football player from Suffolk, Va.
· Luke Ford of Illinois, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound football player from Carterville, Ill.
· Maliq Carr of Michigan State, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound football and basketball player from Inkster, Mich.
· Mikala Hall of Central Michigan, a 5-foot-5 basketball player from Danville, Ill.
· Rachel Glenn of South Carolina, a 6-foot track & field athlete from Long Beach, Calif.
· Ruben Banks of Arkansas, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound track & field athlete from Binfield, England
· Thunder Keck of Stanford, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound football player from Northfield, N.H.
· Tyanna Omazic of Miami, a 6-foot-2 volleyball player from Kansas City, Mo.
· Zachary Knighton-Ward of Hofstra, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Rosedale, N.Y.
WWE’s comprehensive NIL program launched in December and serves to recruit and develop potential future Superstars, and further enhances WWE’s talent development process through collaborative partnerships with college athletes from diverse athletic backgrounds.
“Next In Line” has signed 31 full-time college athletes since its inception and currently has 25 active athletes following the graduation of six inaugural members from the program.
All athlete partnerships will feature access to the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., in addition to resources across the organization including brand building, media training, communications, live event promotion, creative writing and community relations.
Upon completion of the NIL program, select athletes may earn an exclusive opportunity to be offered a WWE contract. All six athletes who graduated from the first class have either signed or are in discussion to join WWE on a full-time basis.
Four of the 16 initial members of WWE’s “Next In Line” program are nominated for awards at the NIL Summit including Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson (University of Minnesota) for Male Athlete of the Year, Haley & Hanna Cavinder (University of Miami) for Female Athlete of the Year and Jon Seaton (Elon University) for the Hustle Award. Additionally, WWE is a finalist for Brand of the Year.
