As the 2015 NFL Draft approaches, the debate about which quarterback should go first overall, Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, has grown to a fever pitch. Today, Nike officially confirmed it’s picking both.
The sportswear giant has signed Mariota and Winston, the last two Heisman Trophy winners, respectively, to endorsement deals, reports ESPN’s Darren Rovell. The Swoosh also inked Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper, the two runners-up to Mariota in this year’s Heisman voting, to contracts. No terms have been disclosed for any of the agreements.
While Mariota’s reputation is as squeaky clean as a sports-marketer could hope for in a potential star athlete, Winston brings with him the specter of controversy stemming from a handful of off-field incidents. Most notable is the sexual assault allegation levied against him by a then-Florida State student in 2012. This week, the alleged victim filed a civil suit against Winston, who was never criminally charged in the incident, and Nike has indicated that it is closely watching the situation for developments.
“Jameis has stated his innocence regarding serious charges made against him,” said a Nike spokesperson, in a statement to ESPN. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation.”
Winston is the presumptive first overall pick in the draft, which begins April 30. Mariota, Gordon, Cooper and Todd Gurley, who Nike has also signed to a deal, are all expected to be taken in the first round.