University of Central Oklahoma student makes big NIL impression

A University of Central Oklahoma football player has used the state’s Student Athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Rights Act to make a name for himself.

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – A University of Central Oklahoma football player has used the state’s Student Athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Rights Act to make a name for himself.

Johnathan Mosley is a senior at the university and a defensive end who said his NIL journey that started with social media has taken on a life of its own.

"Just making funny videos and just seeing it take off," said Mosley. "It's grown exponentially."

Mosley said his platform has grown over time, not just in Edmond, but across the state, giving him a platform to promote himself.

"[I've] been able to get bigger brands like Dunkin," said Mosley. "I worked with CVS and most recently I was able to get a deal with Nerf."

Mosley said it's been a dream come true to get to work with companies he's grown up with and doesn't take the opportunity college athletes have for granted.

"If they are blessed enough or not blessed enough to go to professional leagues, they now have college as a platform to be able to make that generational work, which is a big deal," said Mosley.

He said he's also feeling the pressure that's come with climbing the ranks in Oklahoma.

"At my university I'm currently number one and in Oklahoma, I am in top seven," said Mosley when News 4 asked him how he stacked up.

Mosley said he gives the credit to his audience for the unusual attention as a Division II football player.

"The ones that actually love my content and the type of content I produce," said Mosley. "You have to keep going and the hard part is starting."

Last year, Senate Bill 840 proposed further clarifications to NIL law. Its authors argued the bill protected student athletes and schools by making sure everything was done by the book.

It made clear that student athletes were not school employees, and that schools could not pay them.

It also stated that schools could not use NIL as part of the recruiting process to promise players extra incentives and removed specific compensation requirements.

The bill was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt before being overridden by the House and Senate.

Mosley told News 4 it's important guidelines are in place, especially as the NIL world continues to evolve.

"Knowing what's okay and what's not okay and getting clearance and also just advocating for it more so that all athletes know what to do," said Mosley.