Five-Star High School Football Stars Feature In National Adidas Commercial

Chris Henry Jr., a five-star wide receiver prospect committed to Ohio State, has become one of the first high school athletes to star in a major national commercial due to the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. Henry Jr., who plays at Mater Dei High School in California and is the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry, appears in an Adidas commercial promoting their Adizero football cleats alongside LSU commit Tristen Keys. Despite missing most of his junior year due to a knee injury, Henry Jr. is highly ranked nationally and is considered to have first-round NFL potential if he reaches his ceiling. Adidas has expanded its marketing efforts to include top high school recruits like Henry Jr., allowing them to earn compensation and endorsements before even starting college. This trend reflects the evolving landscape of amateur athletics, where top prep athletes can monetize their influence through brand partnerships while adhering to NIL regulations by avoiding school branding in their promotional activities. Henry Jr.'s growing social media presence and elite status make him a sought-after brand ambassador as he heads into his senior season.