League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Trades

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, 16, signs as youngest Nike football player

Summary

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.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Market Watch

•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.

Latest Updates

9:00 PMYahoo Sports — Springfield’s Jermaine Cobbins, 16, youngest ever to sign Nike football deal | Report

What they're saying

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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.
— Yahoo Sports

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