Nike had a big presence in the first-ever College Football Playoff by outfitting all four teams involved in the event, and the company could continue a good year with an equally big presence in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The shoe and apparel company has signed quarterbacks -- and potential top two draft picks -- Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston to endorsement deals, according to ESPN.
The previous two Heisman Trophy winners are not the only ones who will be wearing the swoosh either, as the report states Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, Georgia running back Todd Gurley, and Wisconsin tailback Melvin Gordon all agreed to deals with the company, as well.
That gives Nike the top two quarterbacks, top two running backs and one of the top two wide receivers in the draft, if you go by NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock's latest positional rankings. Each of those prospects is viewed as a lock to go in the first round.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Given Oregon's ties to Nike, it's no surprise to see it land a former Ducks signal-caller like Mariota. However, it is impressive that Nike cleaned up with other top talent. With the exception of Gordon, it's notable that all of the others listed came from universities with large apparel deals with Nike, as well.
Winston is widely viewed as the likely choice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 1 overall pick, but does carry a history of off-the-field issues with him to the NFL. Erica Kinsman, who has accused Winston of a December 2012 sexual assault, filed a lawsuit against Winston this week. Mariota appears to be a lock to be the second QB taken, but his most likely landing spot is a little more difficult to determine as mock drafts have him going everywhere from No. 2 overall to the Tennessee Titans all the way down to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20.
Neither Winston nor Mariota will be sporting their swooshes for the cameras at the draft, though, as they have decided not to attend the event in Chicago. The same goes for Cooper. However, both Gordon and Gurley are on the list of prospects attending the draft and will be on hand in the Windy City to be part of the festivities.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
