NEXT WAVE

Celebrating some of the brightest new talent in the league.

We're excited to introduce NEXT WAVE, a look at some of 2024's most talented rookies. As the players' union, we're recognizing that this class enters the league as already established media brands in their own right.

In this era where athletes have so much influence beyond their sport, we're ready to see their impact on and off the field as they continue to develop their skills and business.

NEXT WAVE

NEXT WAVE provides an inside look at rookies from teams across the league, ready to make their mark in both the industry and on the field. This gallery features images of each player captured by portrait and fashion photographer Hayden Sahli, based in Los Angeles, CA. His work can be found in publications such as Vogue Italia, The Washington Post and Rolling Stone. Clients include Adidas, Nike, Warner Music Group and Team USA Olympics.

COLLEGE | Wisconsin

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He'll be the youngest player in the league this year

FAVORITE PLAYER | Adrian Peterson

FOLLOW HIM | @brae1on

FLEXING THAT BUSINESS MUSCLE | He's done partnerships with Head & Shoulders, Raising Canes, and Pepsi

COLLEGE | Florida State

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | His dream opponent would be Ray Lewis and his dream teammate would be Tom Brady

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Tom Brady, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders

FOLLOW HIM | @trey.benson

COLLEGE | Georgia

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He won the John Mackey award in both 2022 and 2023, making him the only two-time winner

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski

FOLLOW HIM | @brockbowers

COLLEGE | Texas

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | His dream playing location would be Dubai

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk

FOLLOW HIM | @jonathonbrooks

Jermaine Burton

WR | Cincinnati Bengals

COLLEGE | Alabama

BEST ADVICE HE'S RECEIVED | "Just always be yourself when you go into that facility or whichever city of team you are on. And just always put your best foot forward and try your hardest."

FLEXING THAT BUSINESS MUSCLE | He's done partnerships with Raising Cane's, Six Star Pro Nutrition, and Life+STYLE by Laura

FOLLOW HIM | @dbassassin

COLLEGE | Florida State

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He likes to golf but calls himself "Tiger Wish-He-Could"

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson

FOLLOW HIM | @keoncoleman3

COLLEGE | Western Kentucky

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He is passionate about mentoring kids, specifically young Black kids, growing up without fathers and without guidance.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Calvin Ridley, Deebo Samuel

FOLLOW HIM | @malachicorley

COLLEGE | Michigan

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He enjoys golfing and recently started his own podcast, How'd You Do It?

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Brian Dawkins

FOLLOW HIM | @blake_corum24

Jayden Daniels

QB | Washington Commanders

COLLEGE | LSU

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner's favorite meal to prepare is spaghetti, and his favorite snack is a honey bun.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Donovan McNabb and Mike Vick

FOLLOW HIM | @thatkidjayden

COLLEGE | Boston College

ON SEEING HIS JERSEY FOR THE FIRST TIME | "Yeah, that's a surreal moment just seeing your name on the jersey. It's like, 'I'm here, no one could take this from me.' I'm putting my name on th emap and I just got to keep on going."

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch

FOLLOW HIM | @_audricestime_

COLLEGE | Oregon

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He set the record for all-time receiving touchdowns at Oregon and tied for the most 100-yard receiving games.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Justin Jefferson and Randy Moss

FOLLOW HIM | @troyylul

COLLEGE | Oregon

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He supports the Boys and Girls Club and has his own merch line.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Barry Sanders and Alvin Kamara

FOLLOW HIM | @bucky2x

COLLEGE | UCLA

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | His dream teammate is Max Crosby and his dream opponent is Joe Montana

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Troy Polamalu, Maxx Crosby and TJ Watt

FOLLOW HIM | @laiatulatu

COLLEGE | South Carolina

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He loves riding horses and his uncle taught him how to ride.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Deebo Samuel, Odell Beckham Jr and Randy Moss

FOLLOW HIM | @xavier_legette

COLLEGE | USC

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He competed in sprint events in high school.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, Emmitt Smith

FOLLOW HIM | @m_lloyd_2

COLLEGE | UNC

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He enjoys golfing and his dream course to play on is Pebble Beach.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Cam Newton and Josh Allen

FOLLOW HIM | @drake.maye

Luke McCaffrey

WR | Washington Commanders

COLLEGE | Rice

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | His dream teammates are Steve Atwater and John Lynch, and his dream opponents are Deion Sanders and Darrelle Revis

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Cooper Kupp, Peyton Manning and Steve Atwater

FOLLOW HIM | @luke_mccaffrey_

COLLEGE | Michigan

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | Hockey was his first love growing up, and he practices meditation.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow

FOLLOW HIM | @jjmccarthy

Ladd McConkey

WR | Los Angeles Chargers

COLLEGE | Georgia

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He received the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy for community service

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Peyton Manning, Cooper Kupp

FOLLOW HIM | @ladd.mcconkey

Jalen McMillan

WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

COLLEGE | Washington

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He participated in the Junior Olympics for track and field and has raised money for cancer research with Seattle Children's Hospital

FAVORITE PLAYER | Randy Moss

FOLLOW HIM | @jalenmcmillan

Joe Milton III

QB | New England Patriots

COLLEGE | Tennessee

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He has been playing the drums since he was eight years old and would have played in the marching band if he attended an HBCU.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Anquan Bolding and Vince Young

FOLLOW HIM | @joemilton5

Adonai Mitchell

WR | Indianapolis Colts

COLLEGE | Texas

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He has a daughter named Icylinn and transferred colleges to be closer to her.

HIS SELF-PROCLAIMED SUPERLATIVE WOULD BE | Most competitive

FOLLOW HIM | @mocitymitch

COLLEGE | LSU

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He was a three sport athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball and track & field

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Justin Jefferson and Calvin Johnson

FOLLOW HIM | @cantguard_malik

COLLEGE | Oregon

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He likes to golf and his dream course is Augusta National

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers

FOLLOW HIM | @bonix10

COLLEGE | Washington

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | During his junior year, his foundation raised $5,000 for the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club

FAVORITE PLAYER | Devin Hester

FOLLOW HIM | @romeodunze

Ricky Pearsall

WR | San Francisco 49ers

COLLEGE | Florida

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He wants to get involved with foundations that help support single mothers and underprivileged youth

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Jerry Rice and OBJ

FOLLOW HIM | @ricky.pearsall

COLLEGE | Washington

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He starred in a reality YouTube show with Rome Odunze and Kool Aid McKinstry

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Lamar Jackson, Pat Mahomes and Mike Vick

FOLLOW HIM | @themp9

COLLEGE | Washington

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He didn't start playing sports until middle school.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Ray Lewis and Adrian Peterson

FOLLOW HIM | @jpolk_22

COLLEGE | Tulane

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | If he had to pick a travel buddy, he'd pick MarShawn Lloyd

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Drew Brees and Jason Witten

FOLLOW HIM | @mpratt__

Spencer Rattler

QB | New Orleans Saints

COLLEGE | South Carolina

FLEXING THAT BUSINESS MUSCLE | He's done partnerships with Door Dash and Panini

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Michael Vick, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady

FOLLOW HIM | @spencer_rattler

COLLEGE | USC

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | His dream teammate is Tom Brady

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Jerry Rice, Davante Adams and Calvin Johnson

FOLLOW HIM | @brendenrice

Ja'Tavion Sanders

TE | Carolina Panthers

COLLEGE | Texas

HIS SELF-PROCLAIMED SUPERLATIVES WOULD BE | Best Style, Life of the Party, Most Competitive, Most Humble

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady

FOLLOW HIM | @jatavionsanders

COLLEGE | Clemson

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW | He established the 1 CLEM5ON endowment to help provide resources to Clemson University students, including fellow student-athletes.

FAVORITE PLAYERS | Christian McCaffrey and Ray Lewis

FOLLOW HIM | @willshipley1