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Zaxby’s signs Georgia Bulldogs QB JT Daniels to NIL deal

By Wesley Coburn

Georgia-based Zaxby's taps UGA quarterback J.T. Daniels as brand spokesperson. Photo provided by Zaxby's
Georgia-based Zaxby's taps UGA quarterback J.T. Daniels as brand spokesperson. Photo provided by Zaxby's /
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Zaxby’s has signed Georgia Bulldogs quarterback JT Daniels to an endorsement deal thanks to new NCAA rules allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Daniels, a junior from Irvine, California, is the first collegiate athlete to partner with the restaurant under these new rules, though they have a long history of sponsorship in the college football, esports and NASCAR worlds already.

The partnership means Daniels will appear in Zaxby’s advertisements and at corporate and philanthropic events, and include social media posts as well.

This deal makes a lot of sense, as the chicken restaurant is headquartered in Athens, Georgia, making them a literal hometown signing.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback JT Daniels has signed an NIL deal with Zaxby’s.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Heisman hopeful quarterback J.T. Daniels from the University of Georgia for the upcoming season,” Zaxby’s Chief Marketing Officer Joel Bulger said in a press release. “His leadership qualities on and off the field are remarkable and something that aligns well with our brand. We welcome J.T. to Team Zaxby’s, a brand that has strong ties with UGA and deep roots here in Athens.”

Zaxby’s has around 900 locations throughout the United States, and their menu features a variety of chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, along with sides like fried pickles and salads to go along with the classic french fries.

“Zaxby’s has been my choice of food since coming down here to Georgia. I mean, there really is no comparison. I get asked all the time what my favorite food is. It is Zaxby’s. Hands down,” Daniels said in a press release.

During his career, which began at Southern Cal in 2018, Daniels has appeared in 17 games, throwing for 4,253 yards and 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, while completing 343 of 546 passes (stats via Sports Reference).

He also led UGA to a 10-3 win in the 2021 season opener over the Clemson Tigers (whose quarterback DJ Uiagalelei appears in Dr Pepper Fansville ads) then-No. 9 Bulldogs to a 2020 Peach Bowl 24-21 victory over the then-No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in nearby Atlanta.

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For more information about the Georgia Bulldogs and the 2021 college football season in general, see our FanSided Network sister sites Dawn of the Dawg, Dog O’Day and Saturday Blitz for all the latest.