WWE unveils second class of ‘Next in Line’ signees

WWE has unveiled its second class of “Next in Line” program signees.

The class consists of 15 college athletes from 14 different universities, seven NCAA conferences, and seven sports. WWE touts that the class includes its first Next in Line athletes from cheer and dance, gymnastics, volleyball, men’s basketball, and representation from an HBCU program.

The 15 athletes who are part of the class are:

  • Ali Mattox of Ole Miss, a 5-foot-7 cheer & dance athlete from Little Rock, Ark.
  • Case Hatch of Arizona State, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound football player from Gilbert, Ariz.
  • Chandler Hayden of Tennessee, a 5-foot-11 track & field athlete from Pittsfield, Ill.
  • Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Parker, Colo.
  • Derrian Gobourne of Auburn, a 5-foot-4 gymnast from Sarasota, Fla.
  • Ericka Link of Elon, a 5-foot-6 volleyball player from Hedgesville, W.Va.
  • Keshaun Moore of Hampton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound football player from Suffolk, Va.
  • Luke Ford of Illinois, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound football player from Carterville, Ill.
  • Maliq Carr of Michigan State, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound football and basketball player from Inkster, Mich.
  • Mikala Hall of Central Michigan, a 5-foot-5 basketball player from Danville, Ill.
  • Rachel Glenn of South Carolina, a 6-foot track & field athlete from Long Beach, Calif.
  • Ruben Banks of Arkansas, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound track & field athlete from Binfield, England
  • Thunder Keck of Stanford, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound football player from Northfield, N.H.
  • Tyanna Omazic of Miami, a 6-foot-2 volleyball player from Kansas City, Mo.
  • Zachary Knighton-Ward of Hofstra, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Rosedale, N.Y.

The Next in Line program was started by WWE after the NCAA began allowing athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness while still in college. Athletes who sign NIL deals with WWE receive access to the WWE Performance Center, along with resources in brand building, media training, communications, live event promotion, creative writing, and community relations. Upon completion of the program, select athletes may be offered a WWE contract.

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson was the first-ever WWE NIL signing. WWE then announced its inaugural class of NIL recruits last December.