The NIL King of HBCU gets Forbes 30 under 30 nomination

Ettrick, Va.- Veteran HBCU football and track star Rayquan Smith of Virginia State University has announced his nomination as a candidate for the 2025 Forbes 30 under 30 list in the sports category for his work in the NIL space over the past four years.

Smith hit the ground running once the Name, Image, and Likeness rules were passed for college athletes in July of 2021, becoming a brand ambassador for dozens of companies while advocating for deals for other HBCU athletes, earning him the title of the “King of NIL,” now, four years later, he has the possibility of being named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

“When it came out, I just said — I’ve been doing it — so I might as well get paid for doing it now,” Smith told WAVY-TV in 2021.

“It don’t matter how big the brand it is, how small the brand is — if it fits me, I’m going to stick with it. I’m gonna go with it, and hopefully, it will be a long-term deal and go a long way… My big, main goal, is to help every HBCU athlete get on some type of deal or sponsorship, I feel like we’re not as big as a Power Five school, so I’m trying to make an example that we can get deals no matter what school you’re at.”

Rayquan Smith became the first HBCU athlete to sign an endorsement deal with sneaker giant Eastbay, who later featured HBCU football athletes in a campaign at the HBCU combine.

Since starting his NIL journey, Rayquan Smith has landed over 80 NIL deals from brands like Coach, Pedialyte, Crocs, and CVS and has co-founded his own NIL service “SponsorPro” a digital marketplace where brands and athletes unite for game-changing partnerships through their digital marketplace.

“SponsorPro sets itself apart with a platform that customizes NIL chances for athletes by fusing cutting-edge technology with a personalized touch,” Smith told Sports Illustrated . “With the use of analytics and a connection-building approach, SponsorPro distinguishes itself by providing meaningful relationships that complement the individual identities and values of each athlete. We place a high value on community development, openness, and simplicity to provide an unmatched experience in the congested NIL platform market.”

Smith started his HBCU football career at Norfolk State, breaking out in 2019 as a freshman with a 62-yard run against North Carolina A&T with his first carry in college. He finished the year ranked second on the team with 430 rushing yards but COVID-19 and injuries caused the Richmond, Va. native to hit the transfer portal, landing at one of Norfolk State’s biggest rivals, Virginia State University, where he helped the track program win its third straight CIAA Championship in 2023.

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