The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Nike partners with 13 top Texas student-athletes through Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program
09.07.2026 | Baseball, Men's Tennis, Softball, Rowing, Women's Tennis, Track & Field / Cross Country w, Name, Image, and Likeness, Beach Volleyball
Eight sports are represented in Texas’ Nike BRE “Volume 2” class.
AUSTIN, Texas Nike and the University of Texas are announcing the addition of 13 top Longhorn student-athletes to Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program, empowering a new generation while expanding one of the most iconic collaborations in college sport. The announcement marks the second class, named "Volume 2," of Texas student-athletes joining Nike Blue Ribbon Elite.
Blue Ribbon Elite, a first-of-its-kind initiative, represents a broad portfolio of athletes across disciplines, reimagining the NIL space by providing leading athletes and universities an unmatched level of collaboration that prioritizes the future of sport and athlete identity.
The announcement deepens a 26-year relationship between Nike, a brand born from college sport and built to empower the next generation, and the University of Texas, an enduring athletic powerhouse at the cutting edge of college sport.
"This is such a unique, innovative and awesome opportunity for our student-athletes to collaborate with Nike in their Blue Ribbon Elite program," said Chris Del Conte, the University of Texas Vice President and Lois and Richard Folger Family Athletics Director. "We're beyond grateful to Nike for extending this to us and for our longstanding relationship with them."
Joining Nike's growing roster of over 60 elite NIL athletes are:
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Sam Cozart (Baseball)
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Lily Davis (Beach Volleyball)
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Linkin Garcia (Baseball)
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Elizabeth Ionescu (Women's Tennis)
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Rex Maurer (Men's Swimming)
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Mariah Maxwell (Women's Track and Field)
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Mia Maxwell (Women's Track and Field)
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Oliver Ojakaar (Men's Tennis)
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Anthony Pack Jr. (Baseball)
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Adrian Rodriguez (Baseball)
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Katie Stewart (Softball)
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Isa Torres (Softball)
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Phoebe Wise (Rowing)
Announced as part of the first Texas Nike Blue Ribbon Elite class in March 2026 were:
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Reese Atwood (Softball)
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Dia Bell (Football)
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Cam Coleman (Football)
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Teagan Kavan (Softball)
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Hubert Kós (Swimming)
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Ava McDonald (Soccer)
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Tommy Morrison (Golf)
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Eva Okaro (Swimming)
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Farah O'Keefe (Golf)
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Aiden Robbins (Baseball)
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Colin Simmons (Football)
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Cari Spears (Volleyball)
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Torrey Stafford (Volleyball)
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Dylan Volantis (Baseball)
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Jonah Williams (Baseball and Football)
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Ryan Wingo (Football)
The Blue Ribbon Elite program, named after Nike's humble beginnings, reflects the brand's long-held, leading position in sport, college and NIL partnership, as well as an enduring commitment to making athletes better — from pioneering the first truly comprehensive "all-sports" partnership in the 1980s to today's creative, career-building collaborations with top NIL athletes.
Nike's partnership with each Blue Ribbon Elite student-athlete goes beyond brand representation, inspiring the student body and community to collaborate through brand campaigns, product innovation and creative direction.
Nike's commitment to listening to the voices of its NIL athletes takes shape in individual, personalized support, both in their performance and training and in their most important moments away from the game. From product and styling to support with media and content, Nike leverages the full weight of the brand to provide a best-in-class partnership to athletes across its NIL roster — giving them tools for long-term success across sport, business and culture.
Nike's NIL partnerships also extend to athlete-centered design and innovation, as well as support for athletes in their pursuit to stand for something bigger. This industry-leading approach reflects Nike's five-decade history as the brand of athletes and underscores its continued commitment to inspiring and uplifting the next generation.
"Blue Ribbon Elite brings athletes, schools and Nike together through a partnership rooted in sport, collaboration and athlete voice," says Ann Miller, EVP, Global Sports Marketing. "By inviting these athletes into the conversation in meaningful ways, the program helps shape the future of college sport and culture. We're deeply proud to partner with the University of Texas, an iconic institution whose legacy and leadership align naturally with an athlete‑centered model that reflects where Nike and college athletics are headed."
