Ahead of last night’s NFL draft, Adidas added rookies Xavier Legette, Adonai Mitchell, Rome Odunze, and Michael Penix, Jr. to its brand’s athlete roster.
“Rome, Michael, Adonai and Xavier are among the most promising prospects in the draft following exceptional careers at their respective collegiate programs,” said Chris McGuire, Adidas vice president of Sports Marketing.
“In addition to welcoming Adonai and Xavier as new members of the Adidas family, we’re proud that Rome and Michael—our first NIL football athletes—remain with the three stripes as they begin their highly anticipated professional careers,” continued McGuire.
University of Washington WR Rome Odunze and QB Michael Penix, Jr. became Adidas’ first NIL football athletes in October 2023, later leading the Huskies to the National Championship as team captains. The brand endorsed their respective runs for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy and hosted several Houston events before appearing in the National Championship.
Odunze’s new deal with Adidas comes after he set a program record with a nation-leading 1,640 receiving yards in 2023, earning him a spot as a Biletnikoff Award Finalist and a consensus first-team All-American.
Winner of the 2023 Maxwell Award, presented annually to the best player in college football, Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards and threw for 36 touchdowns. His leadership on and off the field earned him the honor of being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
“Through every up and down, the three stripes have remained consistent. I remember lacing them up for the Unsigned Preps 7 on seven teams and going around the country earning offers in the three stripes,” said Penix, Jr. “This past year, myself and Rome Odunze became the first NIL athletes for Adidas football, giving us the opportunity to build deep relationships with the entire Adidas team. Adidas has been by my side for my entire football journey, so it’s only right that we continue this journey together!”
Adonai Mitchell joined Adidas following his monumental season in Austin, including 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. Before the 2023/24 season, Mitchell boasted 38 catches for 560 yards and seven touchdowns in Athens, GA, helping the team reach back-to-back National Championships.
Xavier Legette joined Adidas after an impressive season in Columbia, SC, where he posted 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot as a 2023 Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist.
The four players join Adidas pro partners, including Patrick Mahomes, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, Chris Jones, David Njoku, Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Jones, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, and Jordan Addison.
Images courtesy Adidas
