When the UA defensive lineman was complimented on his diamond-studded watch cuddling his wrist, teammate Christian Young chirped that 鈥淣IL has been treating him good.鈥�

No, Brown鈥檚 watch isn鈥檛 a product of the name, image and likeness phenomenon that allows college athletes to receive compensation for endorsements.

And a program like 蜜柚直播鈥檚 doesn鈥檛 compare to, say, Alabama, when it comes to NIL money. Crimson Tide freshman quarterback Bryce Young has reportedly already earned more than $800,000 in endorsements. And 鈥橞ama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry has capitalized on the 鈥淣鈥� in NIL by partnering with the popular drink.

Even players on the UA men鈥檚 basketball team have reached agreements with companies. Wildcats guard Dalen Terry recently became a Lolo鈥檚 Chicken and Waffles ambassador.

But 蜜柚直播an Stanley Berryhill III doesn鈥檛 yet have his own flavor at Eegees, running back Stevie Rocker isn鈥檛 promoting a gravel company, and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan isn鈥檛 sponsored by Raising Cane鈥檚 鈥� even though he credits the chicken joint for the weight he鈥檚 gained since entering college.

Terry, the basketball player, has just over 98,000 followers on Instagram, which is more than the UA football team account, Berryhill, Morgan and Rocker combined, with about 30,000 to spare.

Overall, 鈥渋t鈥檚 a slower process, but it鈥檚 great for the student-athletes to begin asking questions,鈥� said Erika Barnes, UA鈥檚 senior associate director of athletics.

蜜柚直播 athletic director Dave Heeke reiterated that there鈥檚 鈥渘ot as many (deals) as you would assume right away.鈥�

鈥淚 think a lot of people are trying to find their way through what this is, how do you do it and how do you partner up?鈥� Heeke said.

For now, student-athletes can educate themselves on NIL with 鈥溍坭种辈� Edge,鈥� a program dedicated to networking, financial literacy, brand management and business development, in coalition with 蜜柚直播鈥檚 Eller College of Management, James Rogers College of Law and the UA compliance office.

鈥淭here鈥檚 an educational process and a series of steps they need to take, so we know what鈥檚 happening,鈥� Heeke said.

After extensive training and courses, student-athletes will receive badges of certification to send to companies inquiring about endorsements and partnerships. The UA is also in the process of installing TV and podcast studios in the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility to provide players media platforms, if they choose that path.

UA wide receiver Jamarye Joiner, who is expected to miss the season opener and maybe the nonconference schedule due to recovery from a foot injury, has been marketing himself on social media since the summer.

Joiner sells T-shirts and hoodies with Get It In apparel company. Joiner is also beginning his own line; Loyalty the Brand has a butterfly logo.

Why a butterfly?

鈥淎 butterfly commits to its process,鈥� Joiner said. 鈥淎 caterpillar commits to its process and goes into a cocoon for around 14 or 16 days, and it鈥檚 committing to its process 鈥� it doesn鈥檛 know what鈥檚 happening or what鈥檚 happening to the body, but it鈥檚 committing.鈥�

Joiner has been in a cocoon of sorts between rehab and physical therapy. And he鈥檚 hoping to spread his wings 鈥� on and off the field 鈥� when he returns from injury and becomes an integral part of the Wildcats鈥� offense.

鈥淲hen a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, it鈥檚 a butterfly, and it鈥檚 able to flap its wings and break barriers, overcome adversity and come out as a butterfly and fly,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y whole life has been adversity, so I鈥檝e been in a cocoon my whole life. Now it鈥檚 time for me to break that wall down and fly.鈥�

UA first-year coach Jedd Fisch is an advocate for NIL鈥檚 potential economic boom in college sports, but he knows what hurdles remain.

Before they can cash in, the Wildcats need to win.

鈥淲hen that occurs, they鈥檒l have more opportunities as we continue to educate them through the (蜜柚直播) Edge program, and then market them through our own upstairs,鈥� Fisch said.

Maybe then, the Stanley Red and Blue Berryhill Eegee will be a thing.

鈥淭he first thing I told my team is that, 鈥榊ou better win or no one will care,鈥欌€� Fisch said.

鈥淭he second thing: 鈥榊ou better be good as a player or no one鈥檚 going to pay you.鈥欌€�