WWE Reveals Latest NIL Class
WWE’s Next in Line is one of the country’s most robust NIL development programs and as of today is adding more athletes to their pipeline. Created in December 2021, the platform utilizes NIL to curate a diverse talent pool identifying unique college athletes who might be a fit for the WWE.
Next in Line does not base its criteria around on-field success, rather, it looks for superstar qualities in the wrestling entertainment business. This allows exceptionally talented athletes, who may not have experienced acclaim within their university sports programs, to utilize their athletic prowess in a new medium.
The program provides athletes access to the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, and development opportunities offered by the WWE, including brand building, media training, communications, live event promotion, creative writing, and community relations. Upon completing the Next in Line program, athletes have the opportunity to earn a contract with the WWE.
Notable alumni of this program include the Cavinder twins, Joe Spivak (now known in the ring as Tank Ledger), and Gable Steveson
The athletes who will be participating in the 2024 calendar year include:
Adam Berghorst – Michigan State University; Football (TE)/Baseball (RHP)
Stephen Buchanan – University of Oklahoma; Wrestling
Jeremy Cody – University of Miami; Track and Field
Desmond Coleman – Liberty University; Track and Field
Lucas Davison – University of Michigan; Wrestling
Slane Glover – Ohio State University; Cheer
Bayley Humphery – Baylor University; Acrobatics and Tumbling
Sirena Linton - University of Arkansas; Gymnastics
Darci Khan – Howard University; Track and Field
Josh Pearcy - Rice University; Football (OLB)
Skyla Schulte – Michigan State University; Gymnastics
Grace Stephens – Monmouth University; Track and Field
Kali Terza – Kennesaw State University; Track and Field
Momen Zahid – College of William and Mary; Football (DL)
This class of fourteen athletes represents thirteen different schools and seven different sports. Only eight athletes hail from Power 5 institutions, the most numerous being the Big Ten with four athletes. The Coastal Athletic Association – formerly the Colonial Athletic Association – had two student-athletes selected for the prestigious program.
The sky is the limit for the new class and college sports fans will be excited to see which of these talented athletes can ascend the ranks of the WWE enterprise in the future.
