Jermaine Cobbins, 16, signs as youngest Nike football player
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 16, 2026, 9:00 PM
Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Jermaine Cobbins, a 16-year-old defensive back from Springfield, signed an endorsement deal with Nike on July 16, marking him as the youngest football player to achieve this milestone. Cobbins is a five-star recruit and part of a group of 11 high school athletes announced by Nike. Represented by Tzvi Grossman, Cobbins joins Nike's football roster, which includes prominent athletes influencing the sport's future. Nike's commitment highlights its investment in upcoming talent, having started granting NIL deals to Tennessee high school athletes in 2022.
- •Jermaine Cobbins signs with Nike on July 16, 2026.
- •Cobbins is a five-star prospect ranked No. 28 in the 2028 class.
- •He is one of only three juniors among the 11 players signed.
- •Tennessee high school athletes have been eligible for NIL payments since 2022.
- •Nike emphasizes supporting emerging football talent.
- 9:00 PMYahoo Sports — Springfield’s Jermaine Cobbins, 16, youngest ever to sign Nike football deal | Report
"Springfield's Jermaine Cobbins signed a deal with Nike on July 16, and according to ESPN, he's the youngest football player to ever sign with the company.
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